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Irene Vega
The Ibero-American competition of scientific monologues Just Science Its main objective is to promote science communication in Spanish. Through this initiative, the aim is to encourage scientists and young researchers to actively get involved in dissemination in settings usually far from this type of activities.
This purpose has been what has driven Francisco Molina Rueda, professor of the department of Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine of the URJC to participate in this competition for which he has been selected among the ten semi-finalists of the Spanish edition of ' Solo de Ciencia', which celebrates its second edition. “I really like scientific dissemination and I believe that the findings we obtain from our research often do not transcend society. For this reason, I consider that explaining to citizens the knowledge we generate in an entertaining way is essential to educate and transmit truthful and contrasted information,” says Professor Molina Rueda.
Solo de Ciencia is organized in the national edition by the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) and has selected the ten semi-finalists, 6 women and 4 men, from different research areas. Applications for participation in the contest have consisted of the presentation of a short video - less than three minutes - in which each applicant has performed a monologue related to a scientific or technological topic. For Francisco Molina, this communication format has been a challenge: “I have no experience in scientific dissemination contests. I have done outreach on networks or through my blog, but all in writing or through short pills.”
In addition, this competition has a previous training phase, which was held on March 2 and 3, to provide the semifinalists with communication techniques and vocal and body expression. “The training program on scientific dissemination seems very interesting to me. "They teach you how to write scripts and work in front of the public," says the professor, who also points out that through this experience he has the opportunity to "meet other people who research in totally different fields and learn to disseminate something in a simple way." which is very complicated for a scientist.”
The people classified in the semifinal, which will be held in Granada on April 18, will go to the next phase of the contest, the national final in Madrid, where the representative of Spain from 'Solo de Ciencia' will be chosen who will travel to Lima (Peru ) to participate in the Ibero-American final.
The importance of how we walk
The scientific monologue that Francisco Molina will defend in the Spanish semifinal will deal with human walking, that is, about how we walk and how we learn to walk in different contexts or environments, such as on a beach, on uneven terrain or while we perform other tasks. , like looking at your cell phone or talking to another person. “The importance of this issue is that we are not aware that our central nervous system is continually calibrating movement and generating adaptations that allow us to move in different environments. Plus, we can train it. Scientific evidence tells us which strategies are the most suitable to avoid deterioration and that, despite aging, we maintain an adequate walking pattern that keeps us independent and prevents falls, one of the big problems when we get older and when we walk on more complicated terrain,” explains the URJC professor.
This is one of the lines of research of the movement analysis, biomechanics, ergonomics and motor control laboratory (LAMBECOM) of the URJC, in which Francisco Molina works. Currently, his research has focused on patients who have movement disorders, for example, people with Parkinson's or Multiple Sclerosis. “Our goal is to detect markers of early gait deterioration to improve rehabilitation treatment and prevent complications such as falls,” he adds.
Francisco Molina is a Physiotherapist from the University of Granada, has a master's degree in Neurological Pathology and a doctor in Neurological Pathology from the URJC. Currently, he is a full professor at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos and coordinator, together with Professor Juan Carlos Miangolarra, of the consolidated research group Laboratory of Movement Analysis, Biomechanics, Ergonomics and Motor Control. Additionally, he coordinates the Recognized Teaching Innovation Group Teaching Human Movement in Health Sciences (MOVEDUCA).