The Ministry of Science and Innovation has granted the National Research Awards 2022, which are the most important recognition of Spain in the field of scientific research. Among the winners, divided into ten categories, are Mariano Barbacidpioneer in the field of molecular oncology, and philosopher Daniel Innerarity. In addition, the awards recognize this year, for the first time, another ten young talents from science and the humanities.
Endowed with 30,000 euros for each modality, the traditional awards distinguish researchers who carry out outstanding professional work and exceptionally contribute to the advancement of science, the best knowledge of human beings and their coexistence, the transfer of technology and the progress of humanity. In this edition, of the 83 candidatures admitted, 78% were from men and 22% from women. The average age of the winners is 62 years.
The Santiago Ramón y Cajal National Research Prize, in the area of biology, has been awarded to Mariano Barbacid, a leader in the field of molecular oncology worldwide. The biologist has contributed to the development of cancer research in Spain and to the training of a new generation of researchers.
Mediterranean diet and research
In engineering and architecture it is for Inigo Javier Losadafor his work in favor of a sustainable use of the resources of the ocean and coastal zones. Innerarity, with his theory of complex democracy, has won the humanities. And in the area of medicine and health sciences, the defense of the Mediterranean diet of Miguel Angel Martinez-Gonzalez
The awards also recognize Fernando Tomas MaestreI study the impacts of climate change and desertification; José Cernicharopioneer of molecular astrophysics; Antonio Maria Echavarrenfor his contributions to synthetic organic chemistry which has had a major impact on the field of catalysis; Ana Martínez Gilfor the development of drugs for neurodegenerative and infectious diseases; Anthony Ros, geometric analysis expert; and Luis Moreno, for his research on citizenship and collective identities.
Boredom Studies
New this year are the National Research Awards for Young People, created to distinguish the merit of researchers who have achieved relevant achievements in the early stages of their careers (they are 40 years old or younger). Endowed with 30,000 euros for each of the ten modalities, they are named after illustrious women researchers from Spain, such as Matilda Ucelay o Mary Miller.
The Minister of Science, Diana Morant, has stated that with these new awards young talent is recognized but justice is also done “with the scientists who have contributed to the progress of our country and who have been forgotten for too long”. Of the 185 applications admitted, 61% were men and 39% women. The average age of the winners is 38 years.
Among the awardees are Arkaitz Carracedoat the forefront of cancer cell signaling and metabolism; Mary Victoria Llorensfor his studies on the regenerative capacity of the human brain; Marc Guell, which develops lines of research in gene therapy and in the engineering of the skin microbiome; or the curious Boredom Studies of Josefa Ros Velascoan “emerging unknown” branch of knowledge that aims to improve the lives of older people living in nursing homes.
Also, Belén Riveiro She has been recognized for her work in structural engineering; Mary Victoria Llorensfor his study of the regenerative capacity of the human brain; Manuel Delgado Baquerizofor his studies of the soil biome as a key element for health; Andrew Castellanos explores new atomic-thick materials and William Minguez studies new two-dimensional materials analogous to graphene.
The jury has also recognized the contributions of Carlos Gomez Rodriguez to the development of algorithms that incorporate natural language into digital environments typical of artificial intelligence. Y Diana Lopez-Barroso He has stood out for addressing the problem of individual differences in complex cognitive functions.