The Royal Galician Academy of Sciences (RAGC) and the Universidad Intercontinental de la Empresa (UIE) have just announced the winners of the first edition of the RAGC-UIE Awards for young researchers. These awards were created to promote scientific research in Galicia, recognizing and empowering the careers of young people working in galician research centers, and contributing to the advancement of scientific knowledge as a driver of progress.
Beatriz Pelaz, a researcher at the Center for Research in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Materials (CiQUS), was awarded in the Fundamental Sciences category for her work on developing nanomaterials to create more efficient drugs. Together with BioNanoTools group, Pelaz focuses on developing functional nanomaterials for application in biological models, with the goal of creating a new generation of more efficient nanomedicines. "Always seeking innovative solutions with a clearly interdisciplinary approach," the awards jury argued, also highlighting "her significant dedication to scientific dissemination, especially focused on emphasizing the role of women in research." Her work on functional nanomaterials has had an impact in both academia and industry. The CiQUS researcher and member of the Young Academy of Spain recently received Spain's highest recognition for young researchers, the National Research Award for Young Researchers, awarded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation.
In addition to Fundamental Sciences, the award recognizes the contribution of research to advances in two other areas of knowledge. In Engineering Sciences, Belén Riveiro was distinguished for her work on the evaluation of civil engineering structures to prevent collapses in bridges, roads, and railways; and in Social Sciences, the recognition went to Cristina Gómez, who is dedicated to studying people's behavior in contexts of social and political crises.
The RAGC competition, which is held biennially, is open to researchers under the age of 40, or 42 in the case of women who are mothers or people with disabilities. With an endowment of €5,000 for each of the awards, and several additional honorable mentions, the first call received 63 proposals. The awards will be presented at a ceremony to be held in December.
