The 4th graduating class of the Master in Chemistry at the Interface with Biology and Materials Science, together with Prof. Asier Unciti-Broceta (lecturer), Prof. Francisco Rivadulla and Prof. Juan R. Granja, coordinator of the programme.
Prof. Asier Unciti-Broceta, invited speaker at ChemBio&Mat farewell programme.
The 4th graduating class of the Master in Chemistry at the Interface with Biology and Materials Science (ChemBio&Mat) concluded their studies last Friday. Over a period of 3 academic semesters, they addressed major challenges in the fields of chemistry, biology and materials science. The students´ commitment and engagement during the programme was quite satisfying and left a good impression. Prof. Rivadulla, president of the evaluation panel at the Master dissertations, highlighted their positive attitude towards learning and their skills in defending such complex projects.
The closing programme kicked off on Thursday, when the students met Prof. Asier Uniciti-Broceta to share their work and discuss science-related topics. Prof. Unciti-Broceta, who took a leader position in 2010 at the Institute of Genetics and Cancer (University of Edinburgh) to create there the first chemistry lab, was impressed by the range of topics covered in the projects and their progress. The length of this training programme (90 credits) encourages such development of the projects, where a half of the credits are commited to experimental work at CiQUS, a top-level research centre. On Friday, Prof. Unciti-Broceta delivered a stimulating closing lecture: Discovery and preclinical development of the first total inhibitor of SRD. He emphasised the role of translational research, where the results of basic research can reach the patient. The speaker drew on the example of a molecule synthesised for the first time in his laboratory that is currently in pre-clinical trials for the treatment of cancer. This was a great example to continue supporting innovation and multidisciplinary learning, one of the unique features of this master's degree.
"When I started this master, I met a bunch of really diverse and different people, and I am happy to say that today we are great friends who will be together for life. The whole process has been much easier and fun with them. They were my family when I arrived and have always been there for me when I needed them, both academically and personally". The words shared by Adrián Fernández with his fellows during the emotional closing and farewell ceremony show that ChemBio&Mat is far from being just a training programme. Adrián also expressed his gratitude to CiQUS on behalf of the students and highlighted the multidisciplinary nature of an academic offer that successfully integrates Biology and Chemistry: "This was made possible thanks to all our teachers who taught us from the deepest love for what they do; they always looked after us, made sure we learnt, and always been accessible and willing to help us and make things easier for us". Without any doubt, over 18 months-period they gained a valuable experience, both professionally and personally. To conclude, Professor Francisco Rivadulla and the coordinator of the programme, Juan R. Granja, expressed a few words of encouragement and gratitude to all of them.