Tips for Young Researchers Attending ISMS 2026 Next Week

Miguel Sanz-Novo, an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, spoke with Spectroscopy ahead of the International Symposium on Molecular Spectroscopy (ISMS) 2026 Conference next week, where he will be recognized for winning the Miller Prize.^1,2 He previously held postdoctoral positions at Centro de Astrobiología and Universidad de Valladolid.²

Reflecting on the award, Sanz-Novo described it as a significant honor given his admiration for the spectroscopy community, noting that ISMS serves as a central gathering point for researchers working at the intersection of spectroscopy and astrochemistry. He outlined his upcoming talk as a journey through the frontiers of chemical complexity, explaining that he plans to discuss the methodology behind recent discoveries, including how laboratory experiments, theoretical work, and observational astronomy are combined. He also intends to walk through recent findings and their broader implications for understanding interstellar chemistry.

When asked for advice on how early-career researchers can get the most out of ISMS, Sanz-Novo emphasized active participation as the most important factor. He called ISMS one of the most intellectually stimulating conferences he attends regularly, and he encouraged attendees to ask questions and engage in discussions not just during formal sessions but also during informal moments like coffee breaks, lunches, and dinners, noting that some of his most productive collaborations originated from these casual interactions.

His concrete recommendations included preparing in advance by identifying sessions of interest before arriving, while also making a point to attend sessions outside one's immediate research area to broaden exposure. He stressed the importance of not being hesitant about approaching other attendees, particularly speakers whose work one admires, observing that most conference participants are generally receptive to conversation. Finally, for those presenting their own research, he advised investing significant time in preparing talks and slides, pointing out that ISMS has a strong tradition of high-quality presentations and that students have the opportunity to compete for prizes based on their talks.

References

1. ISMS, 79th International Symposium on Molecular Spectroscopy. Illinois.edu. Available at: https://isms.illinois.edu/ (Accessed June 8th, 2026).
2. LinkedIn, Miguel Sanz-Novo. LinkedIn. Available at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miguel-sanz-novo-960935248/ (Accessed June 11, 2026).