IFIC celebrates 75 years of science with a gala at the Olympia Theatre

Just 6 kilometres from the city of Valencia is the Institute of Corpuscular Physics (IFIC). Located in the University of Valencia Science Park in Paterna, IFIC is a joint centre of the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) and the University of Valencia.

This pioneering center in particle physics, both nationally and internationally, was born by the Valencian physicist Joaquín Catalá in 1950. Since then, the IFIC has positioned itself as a reference research center in our country.

It employs researchers from international collaborations whose experiments are carried out at CERN, the European Laboratory of Particle Physics where the Great Hadron Accelerator (LHC) is located, which covers 27 kilometres in circumference and is situated between Switzerland and France. The IFIC also includes researchers/ers from international collaborations whose experiments are carried out at Fermilab, the particle physics laboratory in Chicago (USA) or even at the large KM3NeT neutrino telescope on the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea.

"From science to society" is the title of this gala-event open to the public, an expression that reflects the essence and objectives of IFIC: bring its studies and research to all citizens

"From science to society" is the title of this gala-event open to the public, an expression that reflects the essence and objectives of IFIC: bringing its studies and research to all citizens. Led by the humorist and science enthusiast Juan Carlos Ortega, this show is conceived as a celebration, with a succession of acts that will talk about the origins of the IFIC, some of its researchers will participate, and will culminate with a show on the world of particle physics in humorous key. Ortega, known for the radio program "Las Noches de Ortega" and his numerous appearances on television, will play the role of master of ceremonies, providing a final show that is sure to surprise the entire audience. The announcer, writer and comedian defines himself as "a person who does things on radio, some of which are comedy (but not all)"; with this tone, the gala-event aims to offer a novel format in shows created by a research institute.

A show that revives 75 years of history of a center that was born with the vocation to know the deepest mysteries of the universe. The research carried out at IFIC is grouped into three main lines, which are addressed from a theoretical and experimental point of view: the origin of mass, to understand the fundamental laws of physics; the origin of matter, with the aim of understanding the universe, and instrumentation and advanced computing.

In 2015, IFIC was awarded the 'Severo Ochoa's Center of Excellence' accreditation in recognition of the relevance of its scientific contributions both nationally and internationally, their impact on society and industry and their ability to attract scientific talent. Their contributions to basic science and their strong commitment to the transfer of cutting-edge technologies to society have led IFIC to revalidate this accreditation in 2024

At IFIC, research staff converge together with professors from the University of Valencia. The institute brings together around 400 professionals, including foreign researchers of more than 40 different nationalities and a hundred doctoral students. 

In 2015, IFIC was awarded the 'Severo Ochoa's Center of Excellence' accreditation in recognition of the relevance of its scientific contributions both nationally and internationally, their impact on society and industry and their ability to attract scientific talent. Their contributions to basic science and their strong commitment to the transfer of cutting-edge technologies to society have led IFIC to revalidate this accreditation in 2024.

Now, 2025 ends after months of celebrations and commemorations waiting for the Olympia Theatre to shine on November 29 with a show that will mark the end of a 75th anniversary of science for society.