We are delighted to share that our team member María Abizanda Cardona has been awarded First Prize for Oral Presentations at the 2026 Early Career Scientist Symposium, organized by the Postdoctoral Association at the University of California, Riverside.
The symposium brought together researchers from a wide range of disciplines, providing an opportunity for early-career scholars to present their work, exchange ideas, and build new interdisciplinary connections. María’s presentation, titled “Why Scientists Should Read Crime Fiction: Literature as a Laboratory for Scientific Ethics,” explored how literary narratives can serve as valuable tools for reflecting on ethical questions in science and technology.
Her research demonstrates how crime fiction can function as a space for examining complex issues such as scientific responsibility, emerging technologies, and the social consequences of innovation. By bringing together literary studies and scientific ethics, the project highlights the important contributions that the humanities can make to contemporary debates about science and society.
Receiving the symposium’s top award is a significant achievement and a recognition of both the originality and relevance of María’s research. It also reflects the growing importance of interdisciplinary approaches that bridge the humanities, social sciences, and STEM fields.
In addition to presenting her work, María described the symposium as a valuable opportunity to meet fellow researchers, learn about projects across disciplines, and strengthen connections within the academic community.
We warmly congratulate María on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to following the continued development of her research.
