The Women in DONES collective, comprising professional women linked to the DONES Program, has presented an award to Sara García Alonso for her contribution to the dissemination and promotion of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines among younger generations.
García Alonso, after receiving the award at the Palacio de Quinta Alegre, encouraged young people to be brave and pursue their passions: “If you like something, if you feel curious, don't limit yourselves. Pursue what motivates you to make it a real possibility.” The director of IFMIF-DONES, Moisés Weber, welcomed the researcher and astronaut.
A group of girls attending the event witnessed how not only Sara García Alonso's professional achievements were highlighted, but also the values she represents: passion for knowledge, constant effort, the ability to overcome challenges, and the desire to connect science with society. Her trajectory, as emphasized, demonstrates that great advances always begin with curiosity and the decision to explore new horizons.
Irene Álvarez, president of WiD, stated that the recognition is due to an “extraordinary combination of scientific excellence, commitment to research, and inspirational capacity.” For the Women in DONES community, Sara García-Alonso embodies the spirit that drives both science and transformative projects like IFMIF-DONES: the conviction that progress is born from curiosity, collective work, and the desire to expand the frontiers of knowledge.
Sara García Alonso described the IFMIF-DONES project as an effort to “create the heart of a star to go further and further, to find solutions that improve people's lives.” This tribute also seeks to recognize the impact of role models who inspire scientific vocations in girls and young people, showing that research, engineering, and technology are paths full of opportunities.
The recognition joins others previously awarded to figures such as Yolanda Benito (Director General of CIEMAT), Pilar Aranda (former Rector of the University of Granada), Susana Clement (former Acting Head of Broader Approach Department at Fusion for Energy), and Ángela García.
Sara García Alonso, who holds a PhD in Molecular Cancer Biology and Translational Research from the University of Salamanca, has been conducting her research at the National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) since 2019, focusing on new treatments for lung and pancreatic cancer. Her scientific career is complemented by an international and outreach dimension.
In November 2022, she was selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) as a member of its Astronaut Reserve, becoming the first Spanish woman to achieve this status. Since then, she has combined her scientific activity and training with intensive outreach work, particularly aimed at sparking interest in scientific and technological disciplines among girls and young people.
