A celebration of a scientific legacy

On February 14, 2025, the Institute of Materials Science of Madrid (ICMM-CSIC) hosted a heartfelt tribute to Carmen Ocal on the occasion of her retirement, celebrating her remarkable career and lasting impact on the scientific community. The event was organized by Esther Barrena (ICMAB), Agustina Asenjo (ICMM), Juan de la Figuera (IQF Rocasolano), and Carmen Munuera (ICMM), bringing together colleagues, collaborators, and friends to honor her legacy.

Originally from Madrid, Carmen Ocal began her scientific career at the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), later joined ICMM-CSIC, where she built an outstanding trajectory in surface science and materials research, continuing her career at ICMAB-CSIC since 2006 with her own laboratory and group. Throughout the years, she became a key figure in the scientific community, mentoring young researchers and contributing to numerous projects in Spain and abroad.

Carmen Ocal speaking and sitting next to the organizers of the tribute, Agustina Asenjo, Carmen Munuera, Juan de la Figuera and Esther Barrena

A tribute from colleagues and friends

The tribute featured a series of talks highlighting Carmen Ocal’s scientific journey, from her early years to her contributions in different research institutions. The program included reflections on her early career by Carlos Prieto, Pilar Miranzo, and Enrique García Michel, followed by talks from Juan de la Figuera, Esther Barrena, and Carmen Munuera, who spoke about her influence on the next generation of scientists. Rodolfo Miranda, Julio Gómez, and Nacho Pascual shared insights on her time at UAM, while José Ángel Gago, Federico Soria, María Alonso, and Agustina Asenjo highlighted her contributions at ICMM.

Her connection with ICMAB was recognized through a telematic session featuring Xavier Obradors, former ICMAB Director, and Jaume Veciana, and video messages from David Amabilino, current ICMAB Director, and Benjamín Martínez, Alberto Pomar, Lluís Balcells, and Carlos Frontera from the ACNM Group, among others. The event also acknowledged her engagement with scientific associations, with María José Calderón (GEFES) and Pilar López Sancho (AMIT) speaking about her contributions beyond research.

"El viernes pasado mis colegas hicieron revisión de mi trayectoria profesional, una vez terminada. Gracias por ello y por elegir las mejores cosas de mi trabajo y las menos malas de mi persona. Ha sido un placer y un privilegio haber formado parte de las comunidades de la UAM, ICMM-CSIC e ICMAB-CSIC. Me llevo muchas y grandes experiencias profesionales y personales. Una abraçada amb molt d'afecte i respecte" said Carmen about the event, thanking her colleagues and friends. 

Pilar López Sancho during her talk at Carmen Ocal's tribute.

A distinguished scientific career

Carmen Ocal’s scientific career spans over four decades, with groundbreaking contributions to surface science, scanning probe microscopies, and nanomaterials. She obtained her PhD in Physics from UAM in 1985 and pursued postdoctoral research at the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society in Berlin, the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in the United States, and the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in France. She returned to UAM as a faculty member, where she worked from 1982 to 1998 before transitioning to ICMM-CSIC as a tenured scientist. In 2007, she became a Research Professor at the Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC), where she led a Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) laboratory and contributed to research at the Spanish synchrotron facility ALBA, until her retirement in September 2024. 

At ICMAB, she played a crucial role in advancing research infrastructure. She joined the institute in 2006 and was responsible for installing the first Scanning Probe Microscopy laboratory, significantly enhancing the center’s research capabilities, and was group leader of the Physical Chemistry of Surfaces and Interfaces (SURFACES) group. On September 6, 2024, the ICMAB community bid farewell to Carmen Ocal with a celebration to mark her retirement, recognizing her invaluable contributions over the years. The institute extends its deepest gratitude to Carmen for her dedication and wishes her all the best in this new stage of her life.

Carmen Ocal and the organizers of her tribute at ICMM-CSIC.

Impact and contributions to science

Throughout her career, she has published over 160 scientific articles in high-impact journals, accumulating more than 4,600 citations and an h-index of 39. She has supervised over 12 PhD theses, with many of her students now holding positions in leading research institutions. Her leadership in national and European projects has strengthened collaborations in the field of materials science, and her expertise in scanning probe microscopy has been instrumental in advancing the understanding of nanoscale material properties.

Beyond her research, Carmen Ocal has been deeply committed to promoting scientific excellence and gender equality in physics. She has been an active member of the Spanish Royal Society of Physics (RSEF), serving as vice president and later president of its Condensed Matter Division (GEFES). She has also played a key role in AMIT (Asociación de Mujeres Investigadoras y Tecnólogas), advocating for the visibility and advancement of women in research. Her contributions to scientific policy and evaluation panels, including her participation in committees for national and European research programs, reflect her dedication to shaping the future of scientific research.

At ICMAB, she always had idees to celebrate and visibilize women and science. She is one of the founders of the dramatized lecture "Madame Châtelet and her Instagram followers", which obtained funding from the call "Cuenta la Ciencia" from FGCSIC. We will miss Carmen's ideas and commitment to promoting gender equality and women in science. 

Group photo of all the participants at Carmen Ocal's tribute on 14 February 2025 at ICMM-CSIC.

A well-deserved recognition

The event concluded with a warm farewell, recognizing Carmen Ocal’s outstanding career, her dedication to mentoring young researchers, and her invaluable contributions to materials science. Her colleagues and friends expressed deep appreciation for her work and wished her the best in this new chapter of her life. 

Enjoy, Carmen! 

Por mí y por todas mis compañeras (Aurora Jurado) 
En efecto me contradigo, me habitan multitudes (Walt Whitman)
No hay segunda oportunidad para una primera impresión (Oscar Wilde)