Beyond the Lab Coat - Lourdes Blanco Salgado (AIMEN Technology Center)
Did you dream of becoming a
scientist as a child?
When I was a child, I dreamed of
becoming a singer and traveling the world, but as I grew older, I realized I
didn’t have much talent for it and that my true calling was in science. I’ve
always been fascinated by understanding how things work, finding explanations,
and answering what I didn’t understand. At school, I realized that science not
only answered questions but also created many new ones, and that completely
hooked me. I wanted to understand the world around me.
What inspired you to pursue
science?
What inspired me was that
constant curiosity and the feeling that the answers I received at school were
never enough. I felt there was so much more to discover and that science was an
open door to deeper knowledge. I was fascinated by how something small or
invisible could have such a huge role in how everything works.
What do you love most about
being a scientist today?
What I love most about being a
scientist is that every day is different and always brings a new challenge. The
process of finding solutions, testing, making mistakes, and trying again is
what makes the job so exciting. Also, being able to meet and work with such a
diverse and collaborative team, both at AIMEN and with partners from other
projects, is incredibly motivating and enriching. It teaches me something new
every day, both professionally and personally.
What’s one myth about
scientists you’d love to bust?
I’d love to break the myth that
scientists are all a bit crazy or that we spend our lives locked in the lab
with no contact with the real world 😄. Science is full of
very different, creative, and passionate people. I’m also very happy to see
more and more women in science, and to know that science has no gender,
country, or religion; it’s born from curiosity, and that’s universal.
What’s the weirdest or most
unexpected thing you’ve learned in your field?
I’ve learned that in science,
nothing ever goes exactly as planned. You always have to be ready to improvise
and have plans B, C, or even D. What seems easy sometimes gets complicated, and
what seems impossible can suddenly work. It’s all part of the process and
understanding that has taught me the importance of patience, resilience,
flexibility, and, above all, teamwork.
What’s your favorite
non-science hobby?
I have many different hobbies and
interests. I love decoration, both interior design and gardening, and I really
enjoy escaping to the countryside where I grew up, walking or cycling,
breathing fresh air, and disconnecting with my family. In autumn, I love going
mushroom picking, and I’m also passionate about taking care of the vineyards
and making Ribeiro wine. And of course, I love getting together with my friends
to talk, laugh, and simply enjoy the moment without rushing.
If science were a movie genre,
what would your research be?
If science were a movie genre, my
research would be a mix of thriller, comedy, and surrealism. There are tense
moments, funny ones, and sometimes situations so strange they feel surreal. I
always try to approach things with a sense of humor, both inside and outside the lab. Although I sometimes feel like I’m living in a Marx Brothers movie.
What is your favourite movie?
I really love movies and I have
many favorites from very different genres. If I had to choose one, it would
be Little Miss Sunshine, because it brings back such good memories.
It’s my “vitamin movie”. It’s one of those films that always lifts my spirits.
What’s your favourite book?
My favorite book is The
Tree of Knowledge by Pío Baroja. I like it because it blends
reflection and reality, showing the inner search of a young man trying to
understand the world and his place in it. I relate to that need to question
everything and look for answers.