Dear GIMMers,

As we move forward in this extraordinary journey together, I want to take a moment to reflect on where we stand today and where we are headed. The merger that brought GIMM into existence represents far more than the coming together of two admired and respected institutions, IGC and iMM. It signifies the birth of something entirely new, something bold and ambitious – the Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine (GIMM), a place where the power of collective effort meets the drive for individual merit.

Today, I want to focus on a message that is as crucial as it is simple:

We are now one team, united by a shared vision, a common mission, and a collective ambition. It’s time to embrace our new identity with pride, determination, and a sense of purpose that transcends any previous boundaries.

Our ambition is nothing short of extraordinary. We aim to be a beacon of scientific discovery, a place where foundational breakthroughs in biology and medicine will be made. We will be recognized globally as one of the leading life sciences research institutes in Europe, a destination for top scientists from across the world, and a source of pride for Portugal and beyond.

But let me be clear – this will not be achieved by a few individuals alone. This is our collective ambition. Every scientist, technician, student, administrative staff member, and each team member will play a crucial role in making this vision a reality. The strength of GIMM will lie in our ability to work together, to inspire each other, and to push the boundaries of what is possible. Together, we will create a stable and supportive environment that gives us the time and space to pursue groundbreaking discoveries. We will attract the brightest minds, provide them with the resources they need, and offer them the freedom to explore bold ideas.

Our hallmark will be distinguished by the highest standards, not only in our research but also in our management, operations, and resource usage. We will set a new standard for efficiency and innovation in financial and operational management, becoming an example for other institutions in Portugal and beyond. Our commitment to internal competitive funding will ensure that the best ideas are supported and that we remain agile, responsive, and forward-thinking.

Furthermore, GIMM will not just be a place where discoveries are made – it will be a place where future scientific leaders are nurtured. Our goal is to establish GIMM as a worldwide school of scientific excellence, producing scientists who will go on to set new benchmarks in institutes around the globe.

As we move ahead, I ask each of you to think about the role you will play in this shared journey. Reflect on how you can contribute to our collective success and how you can support your colleagues in doing the same. From my side, I promise to be fully committed to securing the resources, building the connections, and creating the environment needed to turn this ambition into reality. Our future success depends on the collective efforts of everyone in this community. We will only achieve our ambitious goals if we stand together, work together, and strive together toward a common purpose.

Before we look ahead to the exciting future of GIMM, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the challenges we’ve faced over the past year and express my deepest gratitude to all the teams whose hard work and dedication made this transition possible. To our Transition team—from Legal, Finance, HR, Infrastructure, IT, Communication, and ExCo assistance—your expertise and commitment were vital in navigating these complex processes successfully. A special thank you also goes to our facilities teams, who ensured that our work continued seamlessly, maintaining the highest standards of quality throughout. Last but not the least, I must extend my deepest appreciation to Gabriel Ramos and João Almeida Pedro for their invaluable contributions along the way. As they return to their projects at Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, we truly appreciate the role they played in supporting this merger.

I believe in this institution, and I believe in each of you. Together, we will build something extraordinary – something that will be recognized around the world for its excellence, its impact, and its vision.

Thank you for your commitment, your passion, and your dedication to making GIMM a global leader in life sciences and biomedical research.

Together towards a brighter future,

Maria M. Mota