The International Manuel Rico NMR School is a well-established bi-annual summer course offering advanced training in both the theoretical and practical aspects of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Organized by the Specialized NMR Group (GERMN) of the Spanish Royal Society of Chemistry (RSEQ), the school has been held in Jaca, a picturesque town in the Spanish Pyrenees, since its inception in 1980. It provides an intensive educational experience for young researchers, including PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, and early-career scientists seeking to deepen their expertise in magnetic resonance techniques and applications.
Named in honour of Prof. Manuel Rico, a pioneer in NMR research in Spain, the school has a long tradition of fostering close interaction between students and leading experts in the field. The event takes place in the Students’ Residence in Jaca, where both lectures and meals are held, creating an immersive and collaborative learning environment. One of the distinctive aspects of the school is its relaxed and interactive atmosphere, where participants and lecturers share discussions beyond the lecture hall. The program includes a mid-week excursion to the Ordesa National Park, providing a unique opportunity for informal scientific exchange in a stunning natural setting. The school runs for five days, from Monday to Friday, covering both fundamental principles and advanced applications of magnetic resonance, including liquid and solid-state NMR as well as MRI.
Lectures are delivered by renowned national and international experts, with the 2025 edition featuring a distinguished group of lecturers, including Dr. Irene Marco (2025 Anatole Abragam Prize), Jesús Jiménez Barbero (2025 Humboldt Research Award), Dr. Anja Böckmann, Dr. Óscar Millet, Prof. María Ángeles Canales, Prof. Miquel Pons and Dr. Aitor Moreno (Bruker NMR Application Manager). The school places great value on the participation of international guest lecturers and students, as it fosters collaboration across all areas of MR and strengthens global scientific partnership. The program includes lectures on basic principles of NMR, solution and solid-state NMR, applications in structural biology and materials science, advanced acquisition methods, molecular dynamics, biomolecular interactions, and metabolomics.