Inés Mármol: «I like to think about how the Inés of the past learned things»

Is science health?

Of course, I say this as a biomedic; but all science is designed to improve life.

But sometimes it is played with.

Unfortunately yes.

What is the most incredible hoax you have come across?

That by washing your nose with water and salt you wouldn't get Covid. It was at the beginning of the pandemic, my mother gave it to me on WhatsApp. There was a lot of fear.

Covid has been a breeding ground for these 'fakes'.

Yes, of course. And voices have also come out crying out against the virus itself, the masks, the protective measures and, of course, the vaccine. I don't know what encourages them, I suppose there are economic interests.

Social media doesn't help.

It depends on how we use them, if we know how to filter the information a little they can be very helpful. There are many pharmacists making 'tiktoks', biochemists on YouTube... They can be both a help and a problem.

Neither do fear and doubts.

Fear is a very powerful weapon to make us believe things that are not true, this is also understandable. The uncertainty is even worse. And it is a problem because in reality science takes some time, which with the covid we have had to accelerate.

How can science be made more attractive and entertaining?

Science is in our daily lives. Not only in health. You have to appeal to emotion and humor.

From the laboratory to the street?

I wish, I would like that, because I have that part of being a scientific researcher: I work in a public institution, my contract is financed by the Ministry of Science. I feel that I owe it to society to know how their taxes are spent.

Since you were little, did you know what you wanted to do?

Biotechnology as such appeared at the University of Zaragoza just the year before finishing high school. He wanted to study Pharmacy, he saw those ladies, with their elegant white coats, who gave you magical things that made you feel better. Of course, I wanted to do that.

And why Biotechnology?

Because it is very multidisciplinary, it combines a lot of different scientific knowledge.

How can you attract girls to the scientific field?

There are more and more women in science, especially in the biomedical field. I think we need role models, just like those women at the pharmacy were for me. But also ensure that women can continue and progress in their scientific careers.

«We need to ensure that women can progress in scientific careers»

Is there much left to research on cancer?

Unfortunately yes. I would prefer not to have a job.

Do you apply 3D to oncology?

That's right, with a three-dimensional model of the macrobrain barrier we make a structure as close as possible to the real one, to study whether the process of drugs for glioblastoma, a type of brain tumor, is accelerated.

Having just turned 30, he has just been awarded a national award for his work. How has he received it?

It is a challenge because of everything that lies ahead. It is a pride and an honor, something totally unexpected. It also brings a certain pressure, it encourages me to continue researching for people who have cancer, to continue making visible and breaking stereotypes and myths around female scientists and above all to try to bring Biomedicine closer to society.

What stereotypes are you referring to?

There are many. When we think of a scientist, the first thing that comes to mind is a man with glasses and a white coat, and that exists, but in science there is much more. Science is diverse.

And how is science disseminated?

The most important thing is to feel passionate about what you are telling, to convey that it is in our daily lives. Don't see it as something complicated or boring. I personally explain it for myself, I like to think about how the Inés of the past learned things so that I can then explain them well.

Source: Heraldo de Aragón

Photo: Inés Mármol, on the Paseo de la Independencia. ®FRANCISCO JIMÉNEZ.