Laura Bacete Cano joins the Young Academy of Sweden

Laura Bacete Cano, PI of the Plant Cell Wall Dynamics group at UPSC and Assistant Professor at Umeå University, has been elected to the Young Academy of Sweden.

The Young Academy of Sweden is an interdisciplinary platform that brings together some of the most talented early-career researchers in the country. It serves as a voice for young scholars in science policy, promotes academic excellence, and fosters collaboration across disciplines. The academy is also deeply committed to outreach and internationalization. Membership in the academy is highly competitive and limited to a five-year term. Candidates must be independent researchers with a strong academic track record, typically having earned their PhD within the past 2–10 years. They must be actively conducting research in Sweden and demonstrate a clear interest in contributing to the academy’s mission. While Swedish is the working language, English is widely used, and international researchers are encouraged to apply and gradually integrate linguistically.

"I’m very happy about this opportunity," Laura says. "It’s both an honour and a responsibility. I look forward to contributing to discussions on how we can improve the academic environment—how we support researchers, how we evaluate research, and how science can be better connected to society.”

The Young Academy of Sweden brings together researchers from across disciplines to work on science policy, outreach, and international collaboration. For Laura, the mix of perspectives is part of what makes the Academy appealing. "My work focuses on plant cell and molecular biology, which is not always visible in broader science policy discussions. But this area is critical for questions like sustainable agriculture and climate adaptation, and I think it’s important that it's part of the conversation."

Laura will be involved in several meetings and activities across Sweden over the next years, and she’s particularly looking forward to learning from colleagues in other fields. "It’s rare to have a structured space where researchers can talk across disciplines about what science is, how it works, and how it could work better."

She also sees this role as a chance to engage more directly with decision-makers. “I’ve done some outreach before, mostly with students and the public, but this is a chance to speak with policymakers about how research is organised and funded. I hope to bring in perspectives from plant science, early-career research, and international experience.”

Laura founded the Plant Cell Wall Dynamics group in 2023. Her team studies how plants sense and remodel their cell walls during growth and in response to environmental stress. She did her PhD in Spain, followed by a postdoc in Norway, and has received funding from the Research Council of Norway and the Swedish Research Council.

What does this mean for the lab?
The lab will benefit from the exchange of ideas, broader networks, and increased opportunities for collaboration that come with Laura’s involvement in the Academy. It also aligns with the group’s interest in contributing to a more open, inclusive, and sustainable research culture. “I hope this experience will bring new perspectives and possibilities—not only for me, but also for the team,” says Laura.

🔗 Read the official press release from the Young Academy of Sweden