STEM4her has celebrated the third session of the “Inspiring Conversations”, a space designed to bring female role models in science and technology closer to students. On this occasion, the featured guest was Dra. Mercè Balcells, a chemical engineer from IQS, principal investigator at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and professor in the bioengineering department at IQS.
STEM4her celebrates a new session of “Inspiring Conversations” with Dr. Mercè Balcells, Principal Investigator at MIT
The session highlighted an international career marked by scientific excellence, social commitment and a strong vocation for improving people’s health through research in regenerative medicine, biomaterials and biomedical technologies, with a special focus on diseases affecting women and children.
From IQS to MIT: a vocation guided by social impact
During the conversation, Balcells shared the origins of her scientific vocation, highlighting how her decision to study chemical engineering was linked from the very beginning to her desire to contribute to society: “I decided I had to put my talents at the service of humanity.”
After completing her studies at IQS, she continued her training with a doctorate in Germany, an experience that shaped her personal and professional development.
She then made the leap to MIT, one of the world’s most demanding innovation ecosystems, where she has built her research career over more than two decades. In this environment, combining research, innovation and technology transfer, she has worked on the development of biomaterials and artificial tissues with medical applications.
Science with purpose: research in regenerative medicine
One of the key moments of the session came when Dr. Balcells explained how her research evolved towards tissue engineering, driven both by the scientific challenge and by personal experiences that reinforced her commitment to rare paediatric diseases. As she put it: “Making something that doesn’t exist yet and has the potential to cure someone.”
Her work focuses on developing artificial tissues and organs, such as blood vessels, cartilage and other complex systems, which advance the study of new treatments, improve drug testing and reduce the need for animal experimentation. Although many of these developments have not yet reached the market, they are already having a significant impact on biomedical research.
Entrepreneurship, resilience and learning from failure
Beyond her scientific work, Balcells shared her experience as an entrepreneur, describing the process of founding a company focused on tissue regeneration and the challenges involved in bringing research to market. Rather than presenting a linear path, she highlighted mistakes and lessons learned as an essential part of the journey.
In this regard, she underlined the importance of resilience, perseverance and the ability to adapt to complex situations, reminding the audience that “hearing a ‘no’ is part of the process” and that success is built through continuous effort.
An inspiring message for future scientists
The session concluded with a Q&A round in which students were able to interact directly with the speaker. Among the key pieces of advice she shared, Balcells stressed the importance of surrounding oneself with inspiring people, embracing international mobility and not setting self-imposed limits.
She also emphasised the need to build balanced professional paths aligned with one’s own values, advocating for a broad vision of success that integrates both career and personal life.
With this session, STEM4her continues to establish itself as a benchmark space for showcasing female talent in STEM and bringing new generations closer to real examples of leadership, innovation and commitment to society.