Sara García Alonso: "Space exploration is an investment that has a great impact on scientific knowledge".

Sara García Alonso, researcher and member of the Astronaut Reserve of the European Space Agency (ESA), has given a lecture at the University of Navarra entitled "Biotechnology: from the laboratory to outer space" where she has reviewed her professional career and has conveyed the importance of sending astronauts into space to advance scientific knowledge. Invited by the Timac Agro Chair of the Faculty of Science of the University of Navarra, Sara García Alonso has starred in the XII Albareda Lecture attended by more than 400 people.

The researcher highlighted five aspects that justify space missions. On the one hand, García Alonso assured that "these missions contribute to scientific knowledge thanks to the experiments carried out by astronauts" and whose findings have applications in physical sciences (materials science, fluid physics and combustion science), manufacturing (fiber optics, medical implants, 3D bioprinting, alloys), life sciences (stem cells and organoids), drug R&D (protein crystallization and drug development) and models of aging and diseases (muscular atrophy and osteoporosis).

The economy, inspiration, popularization of science and international cooperation are other relevant aspects highlighted by the biotechnologist. Regarding the economy, she pointed out that the space sector moves between 350 and 450 billion euros and that the most developed countries are the ones that invest the most in science and technology.

On the other hand, Sara said that astronauts have the ability to inspire new generations, to encourage new scientific vocations, and to visualize female scientific talent. "Scientists have the responsibility to transmit to society the science that is being done and the impact it has". 

For Sara García Alonso, international cooperation is key to scientific development and she assured that "the International Space Station is the greatest engineering work ever done by mankind in an unprecedented cooperation of countries".

Sara García Alonso has received at the University of Navarra the Passion for Science Award, which is presented in the framework of the #LabMeCrazy! Science Film Festival. In addition to this distinction, García Alonso has been awarded several prizes and recognitions, such as the Ada Byron Young 2023 Award, the Silver Medal of the Community of Madrid and Favorite Daughter of León, among others. 

Born in León in 1989, Sara holds a degree in Biotechnology and a master's degree in Biomedical Research from the University of León, and a PhD in Molecular Biology from the University of Salamanca. This scientist has worked for the Spanish National Research Council ( CSIC) conducting research on oncological medicine and also at the Spanish National Cancer Research Center ( CNIO) leading a project on experimental oncology and drug discovery. In 2022 Sara is designated to enter as a member of the Astronaut Reserve of the European Space Agency (ESA).