Sara García Alonso , a scientist from León and a leading figure in biomedicine and the European space sector, has returned to the classrooms where she trained with a very clear idea in mind: to transform her research career into a more ambitious mission, taking the knowledge generated in Spanish laboratories beyond Earth's orbit.
During an institutional visit to the University of Salamanca , the researcher explained that her great professional goal is no longer just to reach space, but to do so as an active scientist, integrating her biomedical work into a future mission of the European Space Agency (ESA) to position Spanish science at the forefront of space exploration.
A declared dream: to take Spanish science on a space mission
In her appearances before the media and the university community, the reserve astronaut left no room for doubt: her greatest aspiration is to participate in an orbital mission where she can serve as both a researcher and an astronaut. She explained that she feels she still has “many challenges ahead,” but that the most special one involves ensuring that the experiments and projects developed in Spain travel with her beyond Earth.
This approach aligns with her dual profile: on the one hand, a PhD in Molecular Cancer Biology and Translational Research ; on the other, a member of the ESA Astronaut Reserve. The scientist wants this combination to go beyond her CV and translate into a mission where she can test, in microgravity, the biomedical research currently being conducted at leading national centers.
García emphasized that her visit to the University of Salamanca also aims to show the public how science and technology impact daily life, both on Earth and in space. She believes that the various paths a researcher takes throughout their career ultimately converge on a single goal: generating tangible benefits for society.
In this context, she emphasized that if she is ever assigned to a mission, she will feel she is traveling representing not only the ESA, but also Spanish research, the institutions that have supported her, and all the people who have committed to strengthening the presence of Europe and Spain in the space sector . She describes it as an “enormous responsibility” that she assumes with enthusiasm, but also with respect.
Returning to Salamanca: Alma Mater pride and top-level science
The day in Salamanca was highly emotional. The researcher returned to the campus where she completed her undergraduate studies and defended her doctoral thesis, a place she considers "home" and to which she feels a strong connection. Rector Juan Manuel Corchado and Vice-Rector for Research José Miguel Mateos Roco accompanied her on an official tour of the University's most emblematic spaces.
During the morning, the biologist visited the General Historical Library , the renowned Cielo de Salamanca (Sky of Salamanca), and the Trilingual Building of the Faculty of Sciences. At the latter, she shared her impressions with the university community and expressed her satisfaction at being able to enjoy “a very special day” in the place where she established her career as a scientist.
In his remarks, García has been unstinting in his praise for the institution. He asserted that the research conducted at the University of Salamanca is “extraordinary” and focused particularly on the role of the Cancer Research Center , whose work he describes as exceptional and key to his professional development.
As she explained, the training she received at the University of Salamanca (USAL) gave her the necessary tools to go far in both biomedicine and the space sector. After completing her predoctoral studies, she felt fully prepared to take the leap into high-level projects, something she now largely attributes to the quality of the faculty and the rigorous scientific standards she experienced firsthand.
That connection with Salamanca is not only academic. The researcher acknowledges that the city and its university have shaped her understanding of science, as a rigorous but also collaborative endeavor open to the world, which she now aspires to bring to the ESA missions to highlight Spain's contribution to international projects.
Conference, book and popularization: science told in the first person
Sara García's return to the University of Salamanca (USAL) has not been limited to a simple institutional visit. The agenda includes a public lecture in the Paraninfo of the Edificio de las Escuelas Mayores, organized by Alumni-USAL, in which the scientist will explain how research is conducted both on Earth and in space.
The talk is scheduled for 18:00 PM and is intended as a meeting with the people of Salamanca, where topics such as the career paths of researchers, the career paths they can pursue both inside and outside laboratories, and the real impact of science on everyday life will be addressed in an accessible way. The astronaut's intention is to show that behind every advance lie years of work, international cooperation, and a great deal of perseverance.
In addition to the lecture, the day includes a book signing for his first book, "Orbits ." In this work, García shares personal experiences, reflections on the research profession, and his selection process as an ESA astronaut, offering an inside look at a world that is often perceived as distant.
Through both her book and her public appearances, the scientist aims to bring the day-to-day work of laboratories and space training closer to a wide audience. Her goal is to help the public better understand how scientific knowledge is built and why maintaining stable investment in R&D is so important , even when the results are not immediate.
This outreach aspect has become an important part of her work. Beyond discussing her career, she insists on explaining why science is an essential pillar for health, the economy, and the global response to major challenges, from diseases like cancer to climate change and deep space exploration.
From Salamanca to the CNIO and the ESA: the trajectory of a pioneer
Sara García's path to the ESA Astronaut Reserve is strongly linked to cancer research. In 2018, she earned her PhD in Molecular Biology of Cancer and Translational Research from the University of Salamanca with the highest distinction, and in 2019 she received the Extraordinary Doctoral Award, a recognition of the quality of her thesis.
That same year, she joined the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) , where she leads advanced projects focused on finding new treatments for lung and pancreatic cancer. Her work is part of cutting-edge research that combines molecular biology, new therapies, and translational approaches to bring basic research findings closer to clinical practice.
In November 2022, her career took a turn when the European Space Agency selected her as a member of the Astronaut Reserve, making her the first Spanish woman to achieve this position . Since then, she has combined her responsibilities at the CNIO with the demanding training process required to prepare for a future mission assignment.
Forbes magazine has included García on its list of the 100 most influential women in Spain for three consecutive years, in recognition of her dual scientific and space-related background, as well as her role as a role model for new generations. She explains that these kinds of accolades never cease to amaze her, but she also sees them as an opportunity to highlight the collective work of research teams.
In October 2024, the first of three reserve training programs began at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne, Germany, with intensive two-month modules. This training covers everything from technical and operational aspects of missions to physical preparation, survival skills, and teamwork, always with an eye toward possible participation in future orbital expeditions.
Training, responsibility, and personal challenges ahead of a future mission
García doesn't hide the fact that the training process to become a reserve astronaut is demanding. ESA programs combine theoretical sessions, practical exercises in space travel simulators , safety training, and physical training designed to ensure that, when the time comes, each crew member can respond to critical situations in extreme environments.
In various interviews, the scientist has acknowledged that one of her biggest fears is not being up to the task on a real mission, a concern she considers logical given the level of responsibility involved in traveling to space representing scientific institutions, a country, and the European Space Agency itself.
Even so, he faces this challenge with a mixture of caution and motivation. He knows that the training is designed precisely to minimize the margin of error and that the key lies in constant preparation , coordination with the rest of the team, and the ability to make quick decisions based on scientific evidence and established protocols.
The astronaut also emphasizes the symbolic dimension of her potential journey: if she is ultimately assigned to a mission, she will be seen as a visible representative of Spanish and European science in one of the most high-profile settings, the International Space Station . She is aware that many people will follow in her footsteps, especially young people who see in figures like her a demonstration that it is possible to combine biomedical research with space exploration.
In this regard, she points out that one of the most rewarding aspects of her experience so far is hearing girls tell her that, thanks to her example, they have been encouraged to study scientific careers or to consider a professional change towards sectors linked to technology and space.
Defending science against simplistic and anti-science rhetoric
Beyond her own career path, Sara García pays particular attention to the social context in which research takes place. In her speeches, she has warned of the dangers of certain discourses that question science or spread simplistic messages about complex problems, especially when they come from figures with significant public influence.
In his view, the proliferation of populist approaches that promise " easy solutions " without support from data or rigorous studies could represent a significant setback for the development of humanity. He reminds us that science is not a set of instant recipes, but a process based on the accumulation of knowledge, controlled experimentation, and the constant review of results.
García insists that science is the most reliable system society has for making informed decisions, whether in health, public policy, innovation, or global crisis management. He warns that being swayed by messages that discredit this method can have serious social and economic consequences.
It also draws attention to the fact that the “anti-science” phenomenon is not exclusive to a single country, but is observed in various parts of the world, including Europe. Therefore, it considers it essential to strengthen science education , high-quality dissemination of information, and transparency in research communication to build trust and combat misinformation.
In line with this vision, the astronaut emphasizes the importance of maintaining and increasing investment in science and R&D&I . She maintains that these fields are the foundation of progress for any modern society because they nourish all productive sectors and allow us to face future challenges with greater confidence, from new medical therapies to the energy transition and space exploration.
Inspiring vocations: a direct message to girls and young women who dream of space
One of the most recurring themes in Sara García's discourse is the promotion of scientific vocations, especially among girls and young women. She uses every public appearance to deliver a clear message: don't set self-imposed limits , ignore stereotypes, and don't let the lack of role models influence your decisions.
The researcher points out that there are no careers "for men" or "for women," and that STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) need diverse profiles and perspectives to continue progressing. She asserts that anyone, regardless of gender, can pursue these fields if they have the opportunities, support, and appropriate training.
In his opinion, pursuing what truly motivates and brings happiness is a safe bet, even if the path is demanding and full of challenges. In the case of space exploration and research, he acknowledges that it requires a great deal of dedication, but emphasizes that the effort is worthwhile when one manages to contribute, however small, to improving knowledge and collective well-being.
The scientist also highlights the role of educational institutions and outreach initiatives in reducing the gender gap . Specific programs such as educational games for children , mentoring, and raising the profile of female role models in science and technology help more girls consider career options that, until recently, seemed beyond their reach.
For García, every conversation with students, every talk in educational centers and every meeting like the one organized in Salamanca are opportunities to reinforce this idea: talent is equally distributed , and what is needed is for the system to offer ways for that talent to develop under equal conditions, both in laboratories and in the command cabins of future space missions.
This entire personal and professional journey paints a clear picture: that of a scientist who combines laboratory work with space training, who champions the excellence of Spanish research , and who takes very seriously the responsibility of serving as a role model for new generations. Her stated dream of taking Spanish science into space encapsulates a collective ambition: that the knowledge, projects, and teams currently working at centers like the University of Salamanca (USAL) and the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) cross the atmospheric boundary and contribute, from there, to further expanding our understanding of life, health, and the universe.
