The IiSGM promotes meetings between young female patients and female researchers on the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Interactive workshops, seminars and laboratory visits

The Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM) invited young female patients from the Hospital Materno-Infantil to learn what day-to-day life is like for women who serve as role models in fields such as biomedical research, healthcare and engineering within the healthcare centre. Through interactive workshops and visits to laboratories and clinical environments at the hospital, the girls were able to find out first-hand what their work involves, discovering how science and a vocation for service help to improve patient care and quality of life.

This initiative was held as part of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, proclaimed in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly with the aim of promoting the full and equal participation of women and girls in science and advancing gender equality in scientific and technological fields.

Thanks to these sessions, the patients were able to discover what led the professionals at Marañón to dedicate their lives to science. The girls were able to ask all their questions freely, as well as see first-hand the projects in which the hospital's female researchers are involved.

From the laboratory to patients

One of the experiences took place in the hospital's Translational Research Laboratory in Cardiology, which received a visit from Micaela, a 14-year-old patient of the Traumatology Department. Guided by Mª Eugenia Fernández, director of the IiSGM Advanced Therapies Medicines Production Unit, she was able to learn how cell cultures are worked with and about the key role played by female biologists and researchers in developing new therapies to improve patients' health.

During the visit, Micaela took part in various experiments, such as changing the culture medium of stem cells, analysing their shape under a microscope and observing cardiac tissue treated with human mesenchymal cells obtained from fat, enabling her to understand how research is translated into real treatments.

Meanwhile, Andrea, a 12-year-old patient of Paediatric Oncology, visited the IiSGM Genomics Unit accompanied by its director, Julia Suárez, who explained how she and her team, made up largely of women, work with DNA to improve the diagnosis and treatment of different diseases. During the tour, Andrea was able to observe the process of extracting DNA from blood samples and learn about the equipment that makes it possible to analyse thousands of genetic fragments simultaneously.

These studies are essential for identifying alterations associated with diseases, understanding their origin and progression, personalising treatments, and advancing the prevention and development of new therapies. It was an experience that sparked her curiosity as she discovered how science reaches patients from the laboratory.

Science in the operating theatre, hospital wards and hospital classroom

These visits were complemented by other activities held in the Hospital Classroom and the Paediatric Oncology Unit. In these settings, Myriam Rodríguez and Gema Quiñonero, biomedical engineers from the 3D Unit of the Hospital Gregorio Marañón, conducted interactive workshops in which the girls discovered how this innovative technology enables personalised medicine solutions to be developed.

The girls were able to 3D-print small-scale pieces of the human body, designed by themselves and personalised with their names and favourite colours, learning in a practical way how these tools are used in healthcare to improve people's treatment. During these workshops, Blanca, also a patient of Paediatric Oncology, shared her enthusiasm about becoming a doctor in the future in order to "heal people", a testimony that, at the age of 7, showed how these experiences inspire vocations and strengthen female role models in science and healthcare.

In addition, the Hospital Gregorio Marañón opened its doors to other care areas. Nerea Tores, a nurse in the Paediatric Cardiac Surgery operating theatre, accompanied Mia, a 9-year-old patient of Nephrology, on a visit to one of the centre's operating rooms.

During the tour, Mia was able to learn at close quarters about the essential role of nursing in the surgical environment, from preparing the equipment to the hygiene and safety measures that ensure the proper performance of each procedure. It was an experience that highlighted the value of a predominantly female profession, which is key to innovation and quality care at the hospital.