On February 6, the Barradas Auditorium was filled to the last seat to celebrate the 8th edition of the sLHam of the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL). An initiative promoted on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (11F), which seeks to manifest and value the work of women in the scientific field and bring their research closer to the public. An audience that filled the auditorium up to two times: once in the morning session, aimed at students from the Bellvitge, Mercè Rodoreda, Can Vilumara, Eugeni d’Ors and Torres i Bages institutes, and the other in the afternoon session open to the general public. On both occasions, the audience that gathered at the Barradas, with a very positive atmosphere, was active and eager to learn about the daily work of the IDIBELL researchers and scientists who took the stage. 

Through short, entertaining and close monologues, this year’s “slhameres” unequivocally demonstrated that women have a fundamental role in the advancement of scientific knowledge. Mercedes Gil-Lespinard, Senda Jiménez, Carmen Monasterio, Xisca Morey, Mireia Olivan and Meritxell Pons made up a diverse repertoire of scientific specialties, showing that women can excel in any area of science. And all of them shared their story openly, highlighting the successes achieved and the challenges overcome throughout their professional careers but, above all, transmitting their passion for science. 

A contagious passion that could easily motivate the scientific vocation in young girls, who can count on leading figures in science like them. This is the case of Paula Burgos and Joana Omoaruna, two students from the Bellvitge Institute who carried out their research work in IDIBELL’s laboratories, and who also participated in the event on behalf of the younger scientists. 

After the performance of all the participants, and while the votes were being counted to find out the winner of the night, the scientific director of IDIBELL, Maria Molina, thanked the work carried out to perform the event and the significance of events such as sLHam: “We have shown that when it is explained well, science interests everyone.” In turn, the Minister of Equality and Feminism, Eva Menor, congratulated all the slhameras and dedicated a few words to them, stressing that “we have broken many barriers, but now it is our turn to break those that are less seen: stereotypes.” Finally, the mayor of L’Hospitalet, David Quirós, closed the speeches by highlighting the promotion of science in the city, “this sLHam is part of a strategic plan for scientific communication. We will continue working!”.

This year the event was conducted by IDIBELL’s communication manager, Júlia Benito, and counted on DJ Núria Scarp to warm up the audience and the slhameres with her music. Precisely, it was to the rhythm of “Freed from Desire“ that the winner of the 8th sLHam was announced: the public, in a live vote, awarded Mercedes Gil-Lespinard with the gold pipette for her “active” monologue with which she managed to get the audience out of their seats to emphasize the importance of breaking with a sedentary lifestyle through small daily changes. 

In short, the sLHam was, once again, a resounding success for the visibility of IDIBELL scientists and met and exceeded all expectations. Women’s science is a reality, and sLHam demonstrates it year after year. 

The sLHam is part of the LHCiencia strategy and is organised with the collaboration of the City Council of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, the Bellvitge Institute and the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT). In 2025, the event has been part of the programme of the Talent Tour in L’Hospitalet, promoted by the Princess of Girona Foundation. 

The Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) is a biomedical research center created in 2004. It is participated by the Bellvitge University Hospital and the Viladecans Hospital of the Catalan Institute of Health, the Catalan Institute of Oncology, the University of Barcelona and the City Council of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat. 

IDIBELL is a member of the Campus of International Excellence of the University of Barcelona HUBc and is part of the CERCA institution of the Generalitat de Catalunya. In 2009 it became one of the first five Spanish research centers accredited as a health research institute by the Carlos III Health Institute. In addition, it is part of the “HR Excellence in Research” program of the European Union and is a member of EATRIS and REGIC. Since 2018, IDIBELL has been an Accredited Center of the AECC Scientific Foundation (FCAECC).