The RESSÒ – Research in Society science outreach programme has once again recognised emerging talent through the awarding of the Parc Científic de Barcelona Prizes to secondary school and upper secondary school students. The awards were presented within the framework of the 27th edition of Exporecerca Jove, held from 4 to 7 March at La Salle – Campus Barcelona, which brought together 161 students from Catalonia and from various parts of Spain, Andorra, Switzerland, Slovakia, Turkey, Mexico and China.

With these awards, the Parc Científic de la Universitat de Barcelona (PCB‑UB) reinforces its mission to foster scientific vocations and to promote rigour and curiosity among students who are taking their first steps into the world of research.

This year, the RESSÒ programme jury selected three projects for their methodological quality, the relevance of the topics addressed, and the authors’ ability to explain and defend their research project.

Category C (upper secondary education):

“Deconstructing nature: a study on direct cell reprogramming and the recreation of this process by transforming epithelial cells into neural cells”, by Bernat Bosquet Gutiérrez, Institut Sagrada Família Sant Andreu.

“Dietary Emulsifiers: Physicochemical Properties, Effects on the Gut Microbiota, Behavioral Changes in Drosophila melanogaster, and Public Health Implications”, by Daniel Pérez Navarro, EDUCEM II.

“Gluten cross-contamination: an experimental analysis of food hygiene measures to prevent it”, by Júlia Teixidó i Solà, Institut Vilanova del Vallès.

In addition, the programme has also recognised three outstanding projects in the youngest categories, A and B (lower secondary education):

Category A (1st and 2nd years of lower secondary education):

“Can CO₂ cause climate change?”, by Bruno Martín, Gina Navarro and Helena Gomariz, INS Fort Pius.

Category B (3rd and 4th years of lower secondary education):

“Phlebocollect”, by Aarón Salgado Valencia, Maitena Morales Caraballo, Xènia Simoes Pérez and Joana Sanroman Puigdomenech, Escola Andorrana d’Encamp.

“Bio‑inspired Robotic Tentacle”, by Vasily Shakhnovskaya Gorev and Demyan Repin, Learnlife Barcelona.

As a form of recognition, the award winners will be able to enjoy an exclusive guided tour of the facilities of the Parc Científic de Barcelona, where they will gain first-hand insight into the laboratories and scientific services that drive high‑level research in fields such as biomedicine and biotechnology.

PCB’s commitment to fostering scientific vocations and science outreach

The RESSÒ programme, active since 2003, forms part of PCB’s commitment to scientific education and the transfer of knowledge to society. Each year, it offers more than 100 activities that reach close to 7,000 people, mainly students. The programme is supported by Barcelona City Council.

For the RESSÒ programme, taking part in Exporecerca Jove is a unique opportunity to inspire scientific vocations and bring young people closer to the reality of research. With more than 25 years of history, this fair has established itself as an essential platform for future scientists, having promoted more than 700 awards and fostering innovation and critical thinking among young talents.

Through these awards, the Parc Científic de Barcelona reaffirms its commitment to supporting future researchers from the earliest stages of their educational journey, encouraging experimentation, critical thinking and an interest in research.