At a recent conference in the Canary Islands, Jennifer Dionne, a professor from Stanford University, expressed her admiration for the region”s potential in fostering groundbreaking scientific research. She highlighted what makes Stanford one of the top universities globally, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a “hungry” mindset for innovation.
Dionne noted that Stanford has cultivated an environment that values interdisciplinary collaboration, with various schools covering engineering, medicine, law, business, humanities, and sciences all located on the same campus. This integrated approach encourages researchers to engage with one another and tackle the diverse challenges that arise within their fields, leading to significant innovations that often emerge at the intersection of disciplines.
When asked about what a university like the University of La Laguna (ULL) would need to enhance its scientific quality, Dionne acknowledged the impressive talent present in the region. However, she stressed the importance of courage in embracing the unknown and being willing to experiment with untested ideas. “If you are too afraid of failure, you will never try anything new,” she remarked. She also encouraged ULL researchers to share their work more broadly, noting that while many are conducting remarkable projects, the university”s representation at international conferences is limited.
Dionne affirmed that the Canary Islands possess the necessary resources for high-level scientific endeavors. “I”ve participated in every Shift conference I”ve attended, and I believe the Canary Islands have everything needed to conduct disruptive science,” she stated. She added that working with limited resources can often foster creativity, prompting researchers to think critically about how to maximize their output with available tools.
She expressed admiration for the local commitment to sustainability and innovative approaches to solar energy and chemical production. When discussing the differences in scientific policy between Spain and the United States, Dionne pointed out that the U.S. has historically invested heavily in science since World War II, which has driven significant advancements. She argued that Spain must ensure supportive policies for basic science, even when the commercial applications are not immediately clear, as some of the best innovations stem from such research.
Dionne also addressed the challenges posed by recent funding cuts in the U.S., expressing concerns about how these fiscal constraints could affect scientific progress. “It”s certainly a challenging time due to governmental cuts and shifting funding priorities,” she noted. However, she remains hopeful that the long-standing support for science in the U.S. will help navigate these difficulties. She also sees potential for industry to step up and invest more in basic science during these challenging times, although she cautioned that this investment should not bias research outcomes.
Reflecting on her experiences, Dionne stated that she has felt the impact of funding cuts firsthand, with increases in grant applications and delays in funding affecting the pace of research. She highlighted that the current climate presents a unique opportunity for Europe to attract scientific talent, particularly given the challenges in the U.S. “For my students, especially those pursuing postdoctoral opportunities, this is a unique moment to consider Europe,” she said, admiring Europe”s collaborative culture and innovative spirit.
