The 26th edition of the Antonio González Scientific Week, organized annually by the Department of Organic Chemistry at the University of La Laguna, opened yesterday, October 1st, and will take place throughout this week in the auditorium of the Antonio González University Institute of Bio-Organic Chemistry. This well-established scientific event aims to bring leading national specialists in organic chemistry from top universities and research centers across the country to the Tenerife institution. In addition, through flash presentations and poster sessions, young researchers from the university will have the opportunity to present their ongoing research.
This edition was inaugurated by the director of the Department of Organic Chemistry, José María Palazón López, accompanied at the table by the general director of Universities and Research of the Government of the Canary Islands, Jafeth Alonso Estupiñán; and the representative of the Royal Spanish Society of Chemistry, David Tejedor Aragón.
At the opening of these conferences, dedicated to Antonio González, the Canary Islands chemist with the greatest international projection, José María Palazón wanted to focus on the more human aspects of his figure in order to better understand the scope of his academic and scientific achievements.
During the week, the work of young researchers is also displayed in poster format.
From childhood, González developed an interest in plants and herbs used to combat illnesses and ailments, a decisive beginning in his future career path. Starting from scratch and through great effort, he managed to create an environment where dedicated scientists could work under increasingly better conditions, without neglecting pre-university education, while also achieving significant international recognition.
That man of humble origins rose to become Honorary Rector of the University of La Laguna and a driving force behind education in the Canary Islands, Organic Chemistry in La Laguna, and Natural Products Chemistry worldwide. All his achievements stem from his ability to combine a great capacity for hard work with the talent to inspire those who could contribute to the development of the institute that now bears his name, sharing his enthusiasm and his desire to learn more about his beloved natural products.
The best tribute that can be paid to his figure is this scientific week which seeks to alleviate the effect of distance and the idea of isolation inherent in the geographical situation of the Canary Islands and to promote scientific cooperation, encourage the search and establishment of new cooperative relationships between different research groups, bring the various research trends in the field of organic chemistry and related areas closer to the teaching staff and students, as well as contribute to awakening research vocations, among other objectives.
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