The mayor of Santander, Gema Igual, has today celebrated the achievements of molecular biologist and reserve astronaut for the European Space Agency (ESA), Sara García Alonso, as an inspiring example for young people, particularly girls aspiring to careers in scientific and technological fields.
This statement was made during an event preceding a conference delivered by García at the Palacio de Exposiciones in Santander, attended by nearly 300 students from the fourth year of Compulsory Secondary Education (ESO) from four local schools. The event was organised by the Santander City Council through its Equality Department, with participation from the department's councillor, Zulema Gancedo.
Mayor Igual emphasised García's scientific journey, noting that she is the first Spanish woman selected for the ESA's reserve astronauts, and praised her ability to engage young audiences and spark their interest in science, research, and space exploration.
She highlighted the importance of presenting students with testimonies from women who have achieved prominence in traditionally male-dominated sectors, aiming to dismantle gender stereotypes and broaden their aspirations. “We want our youth to pursue their dreams, to explore various possibilities, and to understand that no profession should be limited by gender stereotypes,” she stated.
Furthermore, Igual pointed out that the conference targets students in their fourth year of ESO, a crucial stage when they begin making decisions about their academic future. She noted that García's testimony imparts essential values such as effort, perseverance, teamwork, and the ability to face challenges and learn from mistakes.
The mayor expressed gratitude to García for her presence in Santander and her willingness to share her personal and professional experiences with the students, encouraging them to seize this opportunity. She also highlighted the positive response from local educational institutions, with a total of 20 applications received, amounting to around 1,000 interested students.
Participants included students from IES Alisal, Colegio Verdemar, IES José María Pereda, and Colegio San Agustín. This initiative is part of the IV Equality Plan for Opportunities in Santander, specifically within its educational line for equality.
A special moment during the day was the presentation of a portrait of García, created by Daniela Pescador, a former student of IES Alisal. Pescador produced the artwork two years ago while in her third year of ESO, winning the public's choice award at a Science Fair. The mayor noted this gesture as a testament to García's inspirational impact extending beyond the scientific realm to students with artistic aspirations.
Sara García Alonso, a researcher specialising in cancer molecular biology, was selected in November 2022 as a member of the ESA's reserve astronauts, becoming the first Spanish woman to achieve this milestone. In addition to her research work, she actively engages in scientific outreach aimed at fostering STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) careers and promoting greater female representation in these fields.
