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The Institute for Molecular Science of the University of Valencia (ICMol) held its 12th Scientific Conference, an informational event held on each anniversary. The event was opened by Principal Esteban Morcillo, accompanied by the deputy director of University, Higher Studies and Science, Felip Palau; the director of the Science Park, Juan Antonio Raga; the Dean of the Faculty of Chemistry, Pilar Campins, and the director of ICMol, Eugenio Coronado
Coronado has presented an institute of excellence in Chemistry and Molecular Nanoscience, a growing centre with nearly a hundred researchers “whose results exceed by fat those of many Severo Ochoa Centres”, which he shown in figures.
The objectives of the Institute for Molecular Science (ICMOL) are the design and synthesis of functional molecules, supramolecular associations and molecular materials with physical or chemical properties of interest, as well as the study, characterisation and analysis, both experimental and theoretical, of these properties. Moreover, it applies these molecular systems in different areas such as molecular magnetism, molecular electronics, nanotechnology and biomedicine. “The ICMoL –he highlighted– manages the European Institute of Molecular Magnetism, leads 8 European projects (2 Consolider-Ingenio 2010, 6 Prometeo and 2 ISICs), coordinates two university Master’s degrees and generates more than 90% of the high-impact publications of the University.”
In the same vein, Principal Esteban Morcillo has referred to Minister Wert’s statements regarding the educational reform. “There may not be many Spanish universities in the top 100 of world rankings; neither are they in funding rankings”, he said. “However, there are centres like the Institute for Molecular Science that is among the top 100 in the world, placing Valencian and Spanish chemistry in the frontline of international research”. The ICMol has nearly 1,000 publications, 13,000 citations and a high h-index=49 (2006-2012). This value given to scientific production indicates, in these cases, that the institute has 49 papers quoted more than 49 times in international scientific papers.
Felipe Palau, from the Directorate General for University, Higher Studies and Science, said that the Institute was an example “in how it captures external resources for our community and creates a great return of funding obtained through major research support programmes”. “Their Prometeu results, which finishes now, are spectacular, with 96 published articles, of which more than half had an important scientific impact, 3 patents and a high citation index.”
Pilar Campins emphasised the educational aspect of the centre, “a very important asset to the Faculty of Chemistry, because it affects the development of the young people who will have to change this society.”
As each time, the conference has had the participation of renowned scientists, such as Nazario Martín, 2012 Rey Jaime I Basic Research Award; Santiago Álvarez, 2012 Catalan-Sabatier Award, and Toribio Fernández Otero, 2004 Chemistry-Physics Award of the Spanish Royal Society of Chemistry.
The lectures, of informational nature, have focused on topics ranging from Smart molecular materials and their impact in medicine, to the connections of chemistry and music, including molecular nanoscience.
