2024/06/24

Students from the French School of Bilbao complete a rewarding internship at CIC bioGUNE

The Cooperative Research Center in Biosciences, CIC bioGUNE - member of BRTA - had the pleasure of hosting two young students from the French School of Bilbao - Lycée Français de Bilbao (LFB) for an internship that allowed them to delve into the world of scientific research.

Nora Vega and Gabriel Eguía, both currently in the equivalent of 4º ESO in the French education system, participated in this unique experience from June 13 to June 19, 2024. During this period, the students had the opportunity to integrate into the Cancer Cell Signaling and Metabolism Lab, under the supervision of Dr. Edurne Berra, and other members of the group.

The French education system offers students the opportunity to undertake internships in companies and research centers as part of their education. This experience aims to provide young people with their first exposure to the professional world and work life, helping them make informed decisions about their academic and professional futures.

Over the course of these five days, Nora and Gabriel participated in the daily life of researchers and the working dynamics, including scientific meetings, in a top-level laboratory. They had the chance to observe and learn about the techniques and procedures used in the Cancer Cell Signaling and Metabolism Lab, where research focuses on metabolic and signaling alterations in cancer, with a special emphasis on prostate cancer.

Both students rated their internship at CIC bioGUNE very positively, highlighting the richness of the experience and the knowledge they acquired. "It was very interesting to see how teamwork is conducted in the daily practice of the laboratory," commented Nora Vega. Gabriel Eguía added: "It was a very enriching experience that allowed us to better understand how scientific research is developed.”

After this internship, the students must prepare a report and a presentation of what they learned, which will be evaluated by a jury, marking an important step in their educational journey and their path towards high school.

CIC bioGUNE is proud to have contributed to the education of these young talents and reaffirms its commitment to education and the promotion of science among new generations. These internships demonstrate the center's commitment to society by fostering curiosity and interest in scientific research from an early age.

About Lycée Français de Bilbao
The Lycée Français de Bilbao is an educational institution offering a comprehensive education from early childhood to high school, following the French educational system, known for its integrative approach and commitment to the holistic development of students.

About CIC bioGUNE
The Centre for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), member of the Basque Research & Technology Alliance (BRTA), located in the Bizkaia Technology Park, is a biomedical research organisation conducting cutting-edge research at the interface between structural, molecular and cell biology, with a particular focus on generating knowledge on the molecular bases of disease, for use in the development of new diagnostic methods and advanced therapies.

About BRTA
BRTA is an alliance of 4 collaborative research centres (CIC bioGUNE, CIC nanoGUNE, CIC biomaGUNE y CIC energiGUNE) and 13 technology centres (Azterlan, Azti, Ceit, Cidetec, Gaiker, Ideko, Ikerlan, Leartiker, Lortek, Neiker, Tecnalia, Tekniker y Vicomtech) with the main objective of developing advanced technological solutions for the Basque corporate fabric.

With the support of the Basque Government, the SPRI Group and the Provincial Councils of the three territories, the alliance seeks to promote collaboration between the research centres, strengthen the conditions to generate and transfer knowledge to companies, contributing to their competitiveness and outspreading the Basque scientific-technological capacity abroad.

BRTA has a workforce of 3,500 professionals, executes 22% of the Basque Country's R&D investment, registers an annual turnover of more than 300 million euros and generates 100 European and international patents per year.

Spanish version