The Ambassador of Spain in Australia, Her Excellency Ms Esther Monterrubio Villar; Ignacio Boloix Peiro, Science Counsellor; and Paula Llull Llobera, Cultural affairs, Science and Public Diplomacy Officer, visited the SRAP Victorian Representative, Ivan Martinez Botella at CSIRO, Clayton on Thursday, November 20th. During the visit, they talked about the role of CSIRO in the Australian research landscape with a focus on CSIRO’s Biomedical Manufacturing Program. The ambassador appreciated the opportunity to see how a Spanish scientist contributes to research in the field of Australian native plants at CSIRO.
From left to right, Paula Llull, Charlotte Williams (CSIRO), Ignacio Boloix, Esther Monterrubio, Ivan Martinez, and Katherine Locock (CSIRO).
The Ambassador of Spain in Australia, HE Ms Esther Monterrubio (left) and Ivan Martinez (right) at the CSIRO, Clayton, laboratories
On Friday, November 21st, the retinue visited SRAP member Dr Miguel Ángel Berrocal Rubio at his workplace at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. Miguel showed the group the many facilities and cutting-edge programs in the RCH campus, including the confocal microscopes, the heart organoid program or the sequencing facilities for early detection of genetic defects. Miguel also talked about his work, focusing on immune gene discovery and vaccine repurposing, as part of a clinical trial led by Australia that included 5 recruitment centres in Spain. The visit concluded with an informal coffee catch-up in which those who participated in the visit had a chance to continue talking about the exciting science and discoveries at MCRI.
The Ambassador of Spain in Australia, HE Ms Esther Monterrubio (left) and Dr Miguel Ángel Berrocal Rubio (right) outside of the Royal Children’s Hospital in Parkville, Melbourne.
From left to right, Ignacio Boloix, HE Ms Esther Monterrubio, Dr Miguel Ángel Berrocal Rubio and Trent Burgess EGM of VCGS.
Immediately after, the ambassador and the cultural affairs counsellor paused to greet some members of The Spanish Club, Hogar Español Melbourne’s committee. The visit was facilitated by the SRAP Victorian Representative, Ivan Martinez Botella. After the visit, the Ambassador tanked the committee members for their hospitality and recognised the volunteer work to keep the presence of the Spanish community in Fitzroy alive.
From left to right, Ignacio Boloix, Teresa Fernandez (Spanish Club), Margarita Ros (Spanish Club), Esther Monterrubio, Ivan Martinez, and Maria Fuentes (Spanish Club).