Make a wish to Science, and it will grant it
October 6, 2025
On Friday 26 September, researchers from the seven IMDEA Institutes met in the auditorium of the Residencia de Estudiantes in Madrid to explain how their work contributes to making science help the Planet.
They did so in “Science that helps the Planet II – Make a wish to Science”, one of the activities organized as part of The European Researchers’ Night in Madrid 2025 (MSCA and Citizens), a project coordinated by the Fundación para el Conocimiento madrimasd, framed in the Horizon Europe Programme.
IMDEA Institutes have participated in the sixteen editions that have been held in Madrid. And in thirteen of these editions we have been able to do so in the incomparable setting of the Residencia de Estudiantes, distinguished with the European Heritage Label, awarded by the European Union for the role it has played in the history and culture of Europe.
José Manuel Torralba, researcher of IMDEA Materials, and Antonio Fernández Anta, deputy director of IMDEA Software, were the masters of ceremonies who introduced David Rivas (IMDEA Water), Alberto Dávalos (IMDEA Nutrition), Jennifer Cueto (IMDEA Energy), Ángela García de la Camacha (IMDEA Materials), Sebastián Thompson (IMDEA Nanoscience), Albert Banchs (IMDEA Networks) and Gibrán Gómez (IMDEA Software).
These nine researchers wanted to show what science can do to improve the planet and demonstrate that they are already working to fulfil society’s scientific aspirations.
And what can they do? Measure the temperature inside and outside the cell to detect and attack cancer cells. Or use precision nutrition to prevent prevalent diseases, such as cardiovascular disease.
They also develop more secure and efficient software that, for example, helps prevent or mitigate the effects of an attack on strategic infrastructure, such as hydroelectric power stations.
Closely related to software, IMDEA researchers did not forget about communication networks, which have revolutionised our lives in a very short time, changing the way we interact, travel, work, and so on.
They also explained that they came to science because of their curiosity to learn more about the world around us, that research can ‘make you fall in love’ with it, and that it helps you to think freely, to come up with hypotheses and solutions that no one has thought of before. All of this has translated into concrete results, such as attempts to ensure the supply of water in space and over time; the availability of customised 3D-printed prostheses for ‘à la carte’ medicine; and the conversion of waste into clean energy.
IMDEA researchers made it clear that researchers respond to problems as complex as those we face today by working in multidisciplinary and international teams, in which everyone contributes their grain of sand to make the scientific dreams of those of us who dream of a better world for everyone come true, both those of us who inhabit the planet today and those who will inhabit it in the future.
It was an immense pleasure for us to meet again with the public at the Residencia de Estudiantes in Madrid to share a part of our work. Many thanks to the Residencia for offering us this unique setting. Many thanks to the IMDEA researchers who transmitted their enthusiasm to all of us. And, of course, many thanks to the public who accompanied us.
See you at the next edition of The European Researchers’ Night in Madrid!
It is very important for us to know your opinion. Please let us know if you liked “Science that helps the Planet (II)” (coordinated by IMDEA Software) by completing the following questionnaire: https://c.madrid/d3isn.
MADRIDNIGHT is a science outreach project, coordinated by the Fundación madri+d and funded by the European Union covered by the Horizon Europe Programme, belonging to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions under grant agreement nº 101.162.110.
Funded by the European Union. The opinions and views expressed are those of the author(s) alone and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (EREA). Neither the European Union nor the EREA can be held responsible for them.
