Javier García Martínez (Logroño, 1973) is one of the most recognized Spanish chemists in the world. Recent National Research Awardhas held the presidency of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC, in its acronym in English) between 2021 and 2023, and he was the first Spaniard and the youngest to do so in the 100 years in the world chemistry organization. He has combined this position with his research work as professor of Inorganic Chemistry and director of the Molecular Nanotechnology Laboratory at the University of Alicante. In this interview with EL PAÍS he details his experience, and the challenges that Spain has to be at the forefront of innovation.
Ask. Throughout his career he has touched all areas, from the laboratory to the company, since during his postdoctoral stay at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), in the United States, established a firm, Rive Technology, focused on the energy sector. Because?
Answer. In my experience, there is no difference between a scientist in a laboratory and transferring that knowledge to society. It is a mistake to divide the world between business and research. Some of the best research is done in-house, where some of the best professionals are located. Many Nobel Prize winners are company founders. Many scientists have verified that the best way to bring our discoveries closer to the market is to accompany them from the laboratory to the industry. The technology companies that are changing the world have science in their DNA. There is a third way and we must dismantle the myth of the industry or academia.
Q. How can this new model be applied?
R. That was my main concern upon returning from the United States. Therefore, I established Celera thanks to the Rafael del Pino Foundation. A community of young people with different interests, but who accompany and support each other. In ten years we have helped 100 young people who, otherwise, would not have undertaken and investigated and who, instead, have been able to make extraordinary discoveries or create companies valued at more than 550 million euros. It is a natural change, it cannot be imposed by decree law, but rather by empowering young people. Science must advance in community.
Q. So, isn’t it just a matter of money?
R. Indeed. Money is necessary to improve conditions, but it is a cultural change. We talk about creating communities, networks of people, work spaces… and the place to do it should be the university, where the greatest young talent in Spain accumulates. Another example is the Young Academy of Spain [ostenta la presidencia], from where the first respirator emerged to care for covid patients. With help, collaboration and resources, young people can do great things. Change is made by people and their good ideas.
Q. What leap can science take in Spain with this model?
R. Spain has enormous potential. We are the twelfth country in scientific production, ahead of our GDP on a global scale. Science in Spain is first division, but in innovation we are a little further behind, in position 29. That is the margin and the challenge that lies ahead of us: reducing this gap between science and innovation. To do this we must enter what is called blue oceans, new industries that we have not yet explored: artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, genetic editing…
Q. This matter is discussed in Innovation with a futurethe last book he has coordinated.
R. The objective of this joint work and of the Chair of Science and Society of the Rafael del Pino Foundation, which I have directed since 2019, is to give a voice to experts to answer the question about what technologies we should invest in to improve the quality of life and the economy in Spain, how and with what technology we can solve the main problems. These high beams are needed to see where we should walk.
Q. To be a good scientist, do you have to go outside?
R. Yes, definitely. Any good scientist should leave Spain to learn other ways of understanding and doing science. The experience of going outside is enriching not only professionally but also personally. Traveling is a fundamental part of science. There is enormous competition for talent and Spain must compete on this global stage and encourage our researchers to learn abroad and attract talent from abroad so that we become more attractive.
Q. In Spain is there fear of failure?
R. The problem is not so much the fear of failure, but the envy of success. It’s not my idea. Spanish literature has already reiterated it since at least the Golden Age. But I wouldn’t like it to be the headline of the interview…
Q. It is 100 years since the IUPAC international congress held in Madrid in 1934…
R. At that time, chemistry was experiencing its silver age in Spain, which cut short the Civil War. Our country has joined the scientific career late, which is a fundamental test. Spain has taken giant steps in science in recent years: from being almost irrelevant to becoming a world power.
Q. Another of his efforts at the head of IUPAC has been for science to also be spoken in Spanish.
R. Not everyone feels invited to science. A certainty that I have been able to verify during my presidency. It is something that happens in countries that lack the means. In others, such as Spain, where there are media, the problem is that we do not speak the language of science, English. For this reason, an important effort has been made to translate the IUPAC texts in a normative way into Spanish and many other languages. Only if science is spoken in all languages will we make it global and make everyone feel invited to continue advancing together.
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