Highlighting the work of female microbiologists

Raul Garcia Hemonnet

Some of the most authoritative female voices in the field of microbiology will meet this Thursday at the Móstoles campus (Degree Hall, Department II). The reason is the celebration of the conference 'Microbiology is written with an 'M' for woman'.

The objective of this event is twofold, as explained by the area professors Emma Barahona Martín and Natalia González Benítez: “We want our students to have female role models, which there are and are very good in this field. In addition, this event aims to serve to publicize the area of ​​Microbiology and show the lines of research in which work is being done.”

To do this, they have a panel of 7 researchers with a consolidated career, including Isabel Reche from the University of Granada and Jesica Gil from the UCM. In addition, other post-doctoral researchers and others who are currently writing their thesis will participate. “With this selection we aim to show the different stages of the career, the path taken and the various lines of research in a day with an informative character and scientific rigor,” explains Emma Barahona.

Among other subjects, issues related to fungi, the relationship between bacteria and the use of nitrogen, microbiota, microorganisms present in the biosphere, and thermophilic microorganisms for the generation of bioplastics and the use of bacteria to generate energy will be addressed.

A day conceived out of the need to make known top-level female scientific references, noting that “as scientists, the references we see in manuals and books are male and even when we handle articles, our subconscious makes us think of male figures.”

The event is open to university students and anyone interested in science. It is a unique opportunity to meet high-level researchers and the possibilities that microbiology can offer in different fields of human activity.