Elisa Garcia Garcia is very interested in developing talent at academic institutions at different levels. From the individual level, supporting young researchers providing them with career counseling, informative talks, and courses, to the institutional level, shaping career development policies and strategies.
During her scientific career, she has realized that not only hard work and passion for knowledge are important for a successful scientific career, but also an enriched environment, where high-quality training is provided, and interaction among peers is facilitated. She always actively promotes this environment, as she performs her scientific activity. Indeed, at the early stages of her career, as a Senator of Universidad Autonoma of Madrid (UAM) and a representative of the Young Researcher Association (FJI), she participated in advocating for resources and policies that enhance academic and working conditions for graduate students and junior postdoctoral researchers. Through these activities and in her daily laboratory life, she learnt and perfectionated critical thinking, analytical skills, communication, conflict resolution, negotiation and strategic thinking in scientific and non-scientific paradigms.
Her scientific career led her to work in different highly competitive Institutions in UK, USA and Germany. There, she was exposed to an international and pro-active environment, where working with other international colleges gave her the capacity to analyze and tackle problems from different perspectives and celebrate diversity.
Nowadays, she continues participating in the academic scientific system in a dual fashion. At the scientist’s level, assisting scientists through career counselling, leading interactive workshops on career development and providing information through posts on blogs and websites. And at the institutional level, tailoring career programs, bridging and collaborating with other institutions and influencing career and scientific policies.