SCIENCE Astrophysicist Rafael Ribolo will receive an honor tomorrow from the Academy of Area Sciences

“Challenges of Exploring the Universe: From the Big Bang to Planetary Systems” is the title of the conference that will be presented at the Cajamurcia Foundation’s Aula de Cultura

There will also be public recognition of the Seneca Foundation, on its 25th anniversary, and the project IDIES: High School Research and Development

The Academy of Sciences of the Region of Murcia has organized an appreciation of the regional sciences in which it will present a tribute to the physicist and astronomer from Cartagena Rafael Ribolo, Director of the Astrophysical Institute of the Canary Islands, as well as the distinguished Seneca Foundation, on its 25th anniversary, and the Research and Development Project in Secondary Schools (IDIES ).

During the event, which will take place tomorrow, Friday, December 16, at 6:30 pm, at the Aula de Cultura of Fundación Cajamurcia in Murcia (Gran Via, 23), Rafael Rebolo will present the ‘Exploration Challenges’ conference Universe: From the Big Bang to planetary systems.

Honorary Doctor of the Polytechnic University of Cartagena, Rafael Ribolo is also a member of the Max Planck Society and a corresponding academician of the Royal Academy of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences of Spain. The honor he receives from the Académie des Sciences of the region, of which he is an honorary academician, is a tribute to a professional career of international importance for which he has received prestigious awards such as the Rey Jaime I Research Prize (2001), and the Jules Janssen from the French Astronomical Society (2014) , and the Iberdrola Prize for Science and Technology (2000) or the Blas Cabrera National Research Award (2018).

Regional science

The President of the Academy, biologist and professor of ecology Ángel Pérez-Rzava, explained that “through this work we intend to recognize regional science on three levels: a world of paramount international importance, an institution that is an essential support for the development of scientific knowledge and an initiative that has strengthened the scientific advocacy of high school students, thus making Facilitate their integration into research teams in universities and research centers.

During the event, the Seneca Foundation (Science and Technology Agency for the Region of Murcia), on its 25th anniversary, will also be honored for its important work in promoting and supporting research and development. Among its activities are programs to enhance knowledge, train research cadres, attract talent, and fund research projects, as well as its commitment to bringing science to the youngest, with the aim of awakening research careers and transforming them into the region’s future scientists and technologists,” notes Perez Rzava.

The Academy of Sciences will also feature the Secondary Schools Research and Development Project (IDIES), an educational procedure for research initiation whose main goal is to show first-year high school students what research is and how to do it. During its ten editions, 406 projects have been developed, with the participation of 1090 students belonging to 20 institutes in the region, distributed in research centers such as CEBAS-CSIC, UMU, UPCT, IMIB, IMIDA, IEO and the University of Miguel Hernandez (Elche), whose researchers supervised these Business. In this context, the Academy would like to highlight the role played by the professionals who have coordinated the program since its inception: Enrique Olmos Aranda and José Antonio Hernandez Cortes (CEBAS-CSIC researchers), Francisco Javier López Torres (Domingo Valdivieso IES Mazarrón), Maria Trinidad Camara Mesigir (IES ‘Juan Carlos I’ from Murcia), José María Olmos Nicolás (IES ‘Alcántara’ from Alcantarilla), Francisco José Ruiz Pérez (IES ‘Ruiz de Alda’ from San Javier) and Virginia Verdo Tortosa (‘Saavedra Fajardo’ IES, from Murcia).