Student Organization
In 2004, ICONS (ICFO Organization and Network of Students) was created by a group of motivated students as an umbrella organization for all ICFO Student Chapters. It is recognized and supported by Optica (formerly OSA), International Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE) and European Physical Society (EPS).
Not only does ICONS aim to build and support the student experience within ICFO, it also ties ICFO Students to a larger international group of young scientists working to advance the understanding and science of light.
The ICONS Student Chapter promotes long term educational activities for students and helps to improve career opportunities by drawing them closer to the photonics community. An annually elected government spearheads the network’s activities which aim to intensify the interaction and collaboration of its members and between ICFO working groups. The organization of the chapter facilitates participation at all levels in order to achieve broad participation within the ICFO community.
ICONS ANNUALLY ELECTED BOARD (2026)
President: Sandra Rodrigues
Vice-President: Alberto Rodríguez-Moldes Sebastián
Treasurer: Evgenia Klironomou
Secretary: Bianca Turini
Communications Officer: Alejandra Padilla Camargo
Diversity and Inclusion Officer: Cristina Sastre Jachimska
Outreach Officer: Nuria Rego Falagán
ICONS Board 2026
Sandra
Rodrigues
President
“Being part of ICONS has shown me the real power of community. Seeing how people come together to create meaningful impact at ICFO, while helping students step outside their bubbles of constant work, made me want to take a more active role in the community.”
Alberto
Rodríguez-Moldes Sebastián
Vice-President
“I think a student organization such as ICONS is essential in any research center. Having activities outside of research, organized by students for students to meet people and make friends, fosters interaction between groups. I believe that having this kind of organization speaks volumes about the kind of research center ICFO is.”
Evgenia
Klironomou
Treasurer
“Being part of the ICONS board encourages PhD students to take initiatives and assume responsibilities, it teaches them how to manage their time and provides a first glimpse of how the organization of colloquiums, talks and other social events works.”
Bianca
Turini
Secretary
“ICONS gives students a place to connect, tackle issues they care about, and engage with the scientific community. For ICFO, we are a community reference, while for us, it is a way to drive the changes we want to see.”
Alejandra
Padilla Camargo
Communications Officer
“Being an active member of ICONS is a way to contribute to this goal and help make our community stronger. Along the way, I’ve learned to face personal challenges like public speaking as well as managing my time, and it’s been inspiring to work alongside others who are equally motivated and committed to making ICFO a better place to be.”
Cristina
Sastre Jachimska
Diversity and Inclusion Officer
“As a Diversity and Inclussion representative, I’m excited to learn in which ways ICFO engages in these topics, and to figure out how to translate the PhD community needs into possible changes. I take this as a great opportunity!”
Nuria
Rego Falagán
Outreach Officer
“An association like ICONS plays a crucial role in building community, representation, and support among students. ICONS creates a space where we can connect beyond our labs, socially and professionally, and gives us a collective voice and a sense of belonging in a highly international environment.”
Contact the ICONS leadership team
ICONS Informational Flier