The Welcome Day started with a presentation from the host institutions, starting with Prof. Xavier Obradors, ICMAB-CSIC Director, Prof. Joan Ramon Morante, IREC Director, Prof. Alejandro Sánchez, ALBA Associate Director and Prof. Francesc Pérez Murano, IMB-CNM-CSIC Vice-director. 

Laura Cabana, DOC-FAM Project Manager, presented some information for the fellows and for the host institutions.

After the coffee break, the 10 PhD fellows gave a short presentation of themselves and of their PhD project, which they have recently started. The fellows have three years to complete their projects. 

Vladimir Dikan, from Russia, is doing his PhD at ICMAB-CSIC. 
Project: Computational workflows for structural and electronic properties of materials
IP: Alberto García, ICMAB-CSIC

"The interest in both a career in Materials Science and independently acquired skills in computer programming led me into participation in the Marie-Curie DOC-FAM Cofund Programme." (Vladimir Dikan)

Roberto Fabiao Santos Abreu, from Madeira Island (Portugal), is doing his PhD at ICMAB-CSIC. 
Project: Dynamic supramolecular bio-interfaces and hydrogels as biomimetic materials for cancer immunotherapies”
IP: Imma Ratera and Judith Guasch, ICMAB-CSI

"Since 2010, clinical trials using immunotherapeutic approaches have yielded unprecedented results in cancer treatments. I want to be part of it." (R. Fabiao Santos Abreu)

Artur Romanov, from Germany, is doing his PhD at ICMAB-CSIC
Project: Ultrahigh field conductors for accelerators physics
IP: Teresa Puig, ICMAB-CSIC

"One of my long-term objectives is to develop a strong social network of experts, which allows effective multi-methodology science" (Artur Romanov)

Sumithra Srinivisan, from India, is doing her PhD at ICMAB-CSIC
Project: Evaluation of biocompatible nanoparticles for biomedical applications using the model organism C. elegans
IP: Anna Laromaine, ICMAB-CSIC

"I would like to gain leadership and managing skills during my PhD. That really intersts me a lot." (Sumithra Srinivisan)

Sohini Sinha, from India, is doing her PhD at ICMAB-CSIC
Project: Development of new optically active boron cluster-based fluorophores as good candidates for two-photon absorption spectroscopy
IP: Rosario Núñez, ICMAB-CSIC

"In a near future, I would like to disseminate my research in scientific platforms and events" (Sohini Sinha)

Viktoriia Holovanova, from Ukraine, is doing her PhD at IREC
IP: Joan R. Morante and Teresa Andreu, IREC

"I would like to do postdoctoral research in different international research groups and collaborate with Ukranian research groups in the future" (Viktoriia Holovanova)

Monalisa Chakraborty, from India, is doing her PhD at IREC
Project: Advanced photoelectrodes for next generation of solar energy storage: Photobatteries
IP: Teresa Andreu and Sebastian Murcia, IREC

"In the future, I would like to work as an independent researcher in the R&D sector, where I can share my scientific skills, which will be gathered from my PhD. I would like to make a collaboration with India by applying in an Indo-European project related to my research field." (Monalisa Chakraborty)

Nithyapriya Manivannan, from India, is doing her PhD at ALBA Synchrotron, in collaboration with the UAB
Project: Se-enriched functional food: interactions and competing mechanisms among different elements
IP: Laura Simonelli, ALBA, and Manuel Valiente, Roberto Boada and Mercè Llugany Ollé, UAB

"In the future I would like to continue in the research field and to start the career in an interdisciplinary research environment which it is expected to profit from the knowledge gained through my doctoral studies." (Nithyapriya Manivannan)

Raphaelle Houdeville, from France, is doing her PhD at ALBA Synchrotron, in collaboration with ICMAB-CSIC
Project: X-ray diffraction on operando batteries at non-ambient temperature
IP: F. Fauth, ALBA, and M.Rosa Palacín, ICMAB-CSIC

"My PhD thesis objective is to achieve calcium and lithium intercalation in TiS₂ for future batteries" (Raphaelle Houdeville)

Jan Groen, from The Netherlands, is doing his PhD at ALBA Synchrotron, in collaboration with CIC biomaGUNE

Project: 3D visualization of designed modular repeat proteins and their effect on heart fibrosis in vivo using correlative light microscopy and (soft-)  X-ray tomography
IP: Eva Pereiro, ALBA, and Aitziber Lopez Cortajarena, CIC biomaGUNE

"In the future, I would like to be prepared for a life in science" (Jan Groen)

The second call of the DOC-FAM MSCA-COFUND project is now under evaluation: 12 new PhD fellows will start their PhD next year under this programme. In total, the DOC-FAM project is aimed for 22 Early Stage Researchers. 

DOC-FAM has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 754397. ICMAB acknowledges financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness, through the “Severo Ochoa” Programme for Centres of Excellence in R&D (SEV- 2015-0496).