IMIBIC 2026: Research Takes Courage

Research means asking questions, living with uncertainty, getting things wrong and trying again. Research takes courage, especially at the beginning, when you are taking your first steps in the field.

On 5 and 6 October, the XVII IMIBIC Young Investigator Meeting brought together a new generation of researchers for two days of scientific talks, thematic sessions, poster presentations and invited lectures. Above all, the meeting created a space to share projects, discuss results and open up new questions across different areas of biomedical research.

Two days to talk about research

The programme of the IMIBIC Young Investigator Meeting covered a wide range of research areas. These included chronic and inflammatory diseases, nutrition, cancer, multidisciplinary research, biomedicine and bioengineering.

Poster sessions also played an important role throughout both days.

That variety is part of what makes a meeting like this so valuable. On the one hand, researchers can discover what other groups are working on. On the other, they can exchange results and explore different ways of approaching scientific questions.

The first day also featured a lecture by Prof. Janko Ž. Nikolich, “Aging of the adaptive immune system: causes and consequences”. The second day included a plenary lecture by Guiomar Mendieta, “Research Starts with Curiosity: A Clinical Scientist’s Journey in Cardiovascular Medicine”.

We particularly liked that idea: research starts with curiosity. It starts with a question, with wanting to understand something better and deciding to look for an answer.

Not everything happens on stage

However, not everything happens on stage.

Throughout the meeting, researchers had time to present posters, discuss their work and exchange ideas with other attendees.

After all, a scientific meeting is not only about formal presentations. It is also about the questions that follow, the conversation that starts in front of a poster or discovering how another group is approaching a similar problem from a completely different perspective.

For researchers at the beginning of their careers, these moments also provide an opportunity to present their work, learn from others and become part of a wider scientific community.

A diferent Biomol Session

On Tuesday 6 October, the programme also included the Biomol Session.

This year, we welcomed Julio de la Iglesia with his talk “El miedo es de valientes” — “Fear Is for the Brave”. As a speaker and TEDAX bomb disposal specialist, Julio brought a very different perspective to the scientific programme. His talk explored fear, uncertainty and motivation, as well as leadership and teamwork.

Although his experience comes from a very different environment, one idea connected particularly well with what we had been seeing throughout the meeting: the better we understand what we are facing, the better equipped we are to act.

In a way, research follows a similar path.

First come the questions. Then come the data, the results and new information. From there, each step helps us understand a little more about something that was previously unknown.

So, research is not always about having all the answers. Sometimes, it is simply about continuing to look for them.

Recognising all the work behind research

The Biomol Session also included one of the most important moments for us: the presentation of the predoctoral and postdoctoral awards.

In the predoctoral category, the award went to Natalia Hermán Sánchez, from GC30 – Molecular Hepatology. Her work, published in Molecular Cancer, explores the role of VARS1 in hepatocellular carcinoma aggressiveness and its relationship with MAGI1.

Meanwhile, in the postdoctoral category, Aurora Páez Vega, from GC03 – Infectious Diseases, received the award for her research published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe. Her study focuses on immunoguided prophylaxis against cytomegalovirus disease in low-risk lung transplant recipients.

Congratulations to Natalia and Aurora, as well as to all the young researchers who presented and shared their work throughout the meeting.

An award may be presented in a matter of minutes. However, behind that moment there is much more: hours of work, questions, results, unexpected turns, learning and entire teams helping research move forward.

That is why supporting researchers at the beginning of their careers also means investing in the future of research.

Biomol was there too

Biomol was represented this year by José Luis Cortés, Antonio Carmona, Elena Alonso and Paz Salido.

Being there gives us the opportunity to learn more about the projects different groups are developing. In addition, it allows us to listen directly to researchers and better understand how different areas of biomedical research are evolving.

Ultimately, it is not simply about being present. It is also about listening, learning and staying close to the people carrying out research every day.

Behind every meeting, there is a team

Of course, an event like this does not happen on its own.

Behind two days of talks, posters, sessions and conversations are many hours of planning, coordination and teamwork.

We would therefore like to thank the entire IMIBIC team for their work and warm welcome. In particular, our thanks go to María E. Rodríguez Ortiz, María del Mar Malagón Poyato, Pablo Pérez Martínez and David Luna Gómez for organising the meeting and for welcoming Biomol back for another year.

After two days of projects, questions, results and conversations, one idea stayed with us: the future of research is already being built by those taking their first steps today.

That journey requires curiosity, knowledge and hard work. It also requires sharing what we learn, listening to others and continuing to move forward when questions remain unanswered.

And sometimes, it also takes a little courage.

Research takes courage.