ICIQ has once again hosted one of the research projects of the Barcelona International Youth Science Challenge (BIYSC), a two-week international science initiative organised by Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera that brings together talented secondary school students from around the world.
During the ICIQ project Innovation in Photochemistry and Drug Synthesis: Shaping a Sustainable Future participants experienced life in a research laboratory while exploring the fundamentals of synthetic chemistry, medicinal chemistry and photophysics. Throughout the two weeks, they synthesised and characterised pharmaceutical compounds, prepared light-absorbing materials such as solar cells and discovered how visible light can be used to drive chemical reactions under milder and more sustainable conditions.
This year’s edition brought together 11 students from Spain, France, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Kazakhstan. Yichen Ye highlighted the value of combining theoretical concepts with practical laboratory work. “The experiments make it much easier to understand the theory because you can see what is happening in practice.”
Susie Tang also appreciated the opportunity to deepen her knowledge of chemistry while interacting closely with researchers. “The programme builds naturally on what I already know, and the researchers are always happy to answer any questions.”
ICIQ students counted on the support of a former BIYSC participant, Núria Cervell Matos, currently completing a degree in Chemical Engineering and now a staff member at Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera. “Having been a participant myself, I understand what they are experiencing. It is an enriching opportunity, both scientifically and personally, and many of the friendships created during the programme last well beyond the summer.”
The project was coordinated by Joan Guillem Mayans Peñarrubia from ICIQ’s Communication and Outreach Unit, together with researchers Santi Gené, Felipe Garcés, Luis Merchante, Louise Kommers Reimann and Dominik Bäuerle, who supervised the laboratory sessions and introduced students to different areas of contemporary chemical research.
Now in its 10th edition, BIYSC offers students aged 16 to 18 the opportunity to work alongside active researchers and gain first-hand experience of scientific research in leading institutions across Catalonia. Through its participation in the programme, ICIQ continues to support initiatives that promote scientific vocations among young people.
La entrada ICIQ welcomes BIYSC students for its 10th edition se publicó primero en ICIQ.