Home - Arrow - BIYSC

10th edition, 6th to 17th July, 2026

- Fundacio Catalunya La Pedrera - BIYSC

Project status: Full!

  • Broadening Medical Expertise: from the clinic to the lab bench and back

    Broadening Medical Expertise: from the clinic to the lab bench and back

    Medicine is a pillar of wellness and health, and research is critical to meeting health challenges and improving health care. In this project, participants with an interest in science, medicine and healthcare will be involved in an active learning environment in a realistic, dynamic medical experience within the Hospital and with opportunities to participate in simulations.

    For two weeks they will have the opportunity to discover the work in a University Hospital and learn about the challenges faced and the research developed in the different specialized Institutes/Centers of the Hospital Clínic. In small groups, students will have the opportunity to delve into some of these areas of medical specialization of their interest and, together with expert physicians and researchers, understand how a given clinical problem triggers specific research.

    Students will attend lectures, learn and practice clinical and research skills, and explore healthcare careers with various medical professionals from different Institutes/Centers at Hospital Clinic.

    We expect students to learn about the basics about diagnostics and treatment, working alongside physicians, nurses, and medical students in specialized small groups. Clinical activities will be complemented with training in a translational research environment in IDIBAPS and with an experience at the medical simulation laboratory at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Barcelona.

    Finally, students will be able to investigate future career opportunities by being introduced to the network of Campus Clinic-affiliated healthcare professionals, and participate in engaging careers conversations to learn about their specialties and career paths as they relate some of their most memorable patient cases.

    Last but not least, the experience intends the students to learn and practice critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills that will help them prepare for college, work, and life!

    Learning objectives

    Participants will have the opportunity to work and learn with the goal to:

    • Be exposed to the complexity of clinical practice of excellence
    • Understand how to address clinical unknowns through research.
    • Be acquainted with the methods currently used in basic biomedical research.
    • See how a clinical simulation laboratory can help in medical education.

    Matching profiles

    This project is addressed to students interested in Health sciences, Biomedicine or Biology.

    Required materials

    Laptop

  • The Neurobiology of trauma: effects on behavior and brain function

    The Neurobiology of trauma: effects on behavior and brain function

    From the whole population, almost 70% of adults will suffer a highly stressful experience at least once in their lives. Stress and trauma are everywhere around us affecting our body, our brain, and our emotions. Despite being considered something negative, stress is an important reaction of our body that allows us to face real-life challenges and threats in order to keep us alive. Researchers and doctors are very interested in studying the mechanisms that regulate the stress response because their dysfunction results in damaging consequences for our health may trigger the appearance of mental disorders. One example is Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a very common mental disorder that may appear in some vulnerable individuals after experiencing a highly stressful event. People living with this disorder have disabling symptoms related to a deficient detection and management of threats in the environment, they also have strong and recurrent memories about their traumatic experience and some of them present considerable changes in their behavior that keep them hyper-alert and ready to avoid any cue related to their trauma. Importantly, these disorders are much more common in women compared to men and scientists still don’t understand why this is happening. Our research group is interested in knowing which neurobiological factors are making women and females more vulnerable to the effects of trauma and this time we are inviting you to join us in this journey.

    In this project, students will work hand in hand with neuroscientists that use animal models to understand how stress affects behavior and brain function. They will acquire competencies to observe and analyze different kinds of behavioral tests that evaluate the levels of anxiety, exploration, memory, and social interaction, among others. They will explore how sex hormones interact with stress and try to rescue these negative alterations of behavior by using different pharmacological approaches shortly after trauma. Additionally, they will be able to evaluate the expression of crucial biomarkers of stress using biomolecular techniques. Using immunodetection assays, brain structures will be explored at a neuronal level, trying to identify which areas are the ones affected by stress. 

    During this project, students will learn about the impact of stress on the brain and gain the ability to make their own future hypotheses. They will use state-of-the-art techniques widely used in Neuroscience and collaborate with scientists in their day-to-day. Also, they will acquire data processing and analysis skills which are crucial for any modern scientist. We expect students to be highly motivated to learn about brain function and how it processes stressors. With their work, they will contribute to the understanding of brain function and stress processing, specifically in females.

    Learning objectives

    • To study brain’s responses to an acute stressor
    • To learn about several laboratory techniques, such as molecular biology and histology
    • To analyze behavioral data 
    • To interpret the results

    Matching profiles

    • Motivated by science and research
    • Highly enthusiastic and collaborative
    • Basic background in biology is recommended

    Required materials

    • Lab coat
    • Personal laptop

  • Heart Science 360º: Clinical Practice, Translational Research, and Data Innovation

    Heart Science 360º: Clinical Practice, Translational Research, and Data Innovation

    Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Managing complex cardiac patients requires a multidisciplinary approach that combines cutting-edge clinical care, translational research, and data-driven innovation.

    This program offers BIYSC students a 360º immersive experience into the world of cardiovascular medicine and science. Participants will explore the continuum of cardiovascular care—from acute critical management to long-term strategies—while engaging in simulation-based learning, hands-on research activities, and data science applications to solve real-world health challenges.

    In this project, students will deepen their understanding of the pathophysiology and clinical management of complex cardiovascular patients. They will gain hands-on experience through medical simulations and direct exposure to high-complexity clinical environments, developing practical skills essential for advanced patient care. Participants will also learn the fundamentals of translational research and its critical role in improving patient outcomes, while exploring how data science and bioinformatics can drive innovation in cardiovascular health.

    Methodology & Activities

    • Simulation Labs: Hands-on training in managing cardiac emergencies using advanced simulators.
    • Clinical Rotations: Guided visits to critical care units, cardiac surgery, and interventional cardiology labs.
    • Research Modules: Introduction to molecular biology, biomarkers, and translational projects at Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL).
    • Data Science Sessions: Learn how big data and AI are transforming cardiovascular medicine.
    • Team Challenge: Students will work on a mini-project integrating clinical and research insights to propose innovative solutions for cardiovascular care.

    Learning objectives

    • Acquire a holistic understanding of cardiovascular disease management
    • Develop practical skills in simulation-based medicine.
    • Gain exposure to real-world research environments and learn how science translates into clinical practice.
    • Understand the role of data-driven innovation in shaping the future of healthcare.

    Matching profiles

    This project is designed for high school students interested in Medicine, Health Sciences, Biology, Biochemistry, or Data Science, and who are eager to explore clinical practice, medical research, and innovative approaches to cardiovascular health.

    Required materials

    Laptop