08/05/2025

Creativity, science and humanism: winning projects from the UIC Barcelona Pre-University Competition

The final of the competition took place on 25 April at the Barcelona Campus, where the best research projects were presented and five full grants were awarded to cover the first year of university studies at UIC Barcelona

The final round of the 21st edition of the UIC Barcelona Pre-University Competition was held on 25 April. This initiative rewards excellence in the top research projects carried out by upper secondary students. Throughout the day, the finalists presented their work orally before an academic panel, in a public session held at the Barcelona Campus.

A total of 279 projects were submitted this year, five of which were awarded grants covering 100% of the tuition fees for the first year of the winner’s chosen degree at UIC Barcelona. The winning students stood out for the originality, depth and scientific rigour of their work.

Arnau Balcells was awarded the grant for the Degree in Medicine for his project "CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing of OsERF922 in rice plants", a study exploring the potential of genetic editing to make rice more resistant to disease, while also addressing the ethical implications of biotechnology.

Leire Olivan received the grant for the Degree in Dentistry thanks to her project "Injuries in non-professional women’s football", a comparative analysis of injuries among youth and amateur players based on data collected through surveys and interviews with healthcare professionals.

Nhor Lhoda was awarded the grant in the category of the Degree in Biomedical Sciences for her project “Marking the path of metastasis: Protein labelling in triple-negative breast cancer”, which investigates the role of the secreted proteome in metastasis using innovative molecular biology techniques.

In the field of Nursing, Maria Valldeoriola was recognised with a grant for her project “From patients to people: A path of dignity until the very end”, which proposes the implementation of the Person-Centred Care model in care homes, with a positive impact on residents’ wellbeing.

Finally, Hafssa Amel received the grant for the Degree in Architecture with her project “Artificial intelligence, creativity, wedding dress, innovation and cultural fusion”, in which she designs a wedding dress that blends Spanish and Moroccan cultural elements using digital tools and emerging technologies.

During the awards ceremony, Raquel Peula, director of the Promotion and Admissions Department at UIC Barcelona, addressed the finalists: “I hope you enjoyed the experience, that it helped you grow and step outside your comfort zone.”