The Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities has announced the 2024 National Research Awards, Spain's most prestigious recognition in the field of scientific research. This year, the award in the "Felisa Martín Bravo" category, which honors young scientists under 40 who have made significant contributions in the fields of physical sciences, materials science, and earth sciences, has been granted to researcher Beatriz Pelaz.
Beatriz Pelaz is a Principal Investigator at the Center for Research in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Materials (CiQUS), University of Santiago de Compostela. "I am truly grateful to receive this award, which represents recognition of a journey and an effort that involves not only myself but also many people who have supported me along the way," said Pelaz, who has co-led the BionanoTools group at CiQUS since 2017.
Pelaz has been recognized for her outstanding international achievements and scientific leadership in the field of advanced nanomaterials for therapeutic applications. Her research is distinguished by its focus on controlling the physicochemical properties of materials to determine their biological behavior and the development of a new technology for nanoparticle surface modification using DNA origami techniques.
The National Research Awards include 20 categories, each endowed with a prize of €30,000, awarded through a competitive selection process. The Minister of Science, Innovation, and Universities highlighted the talent of this year’s awardees, noting that their "excellent science not only contributes to societal progress and well-being but also strengthens our country's position." She also emphasized that this edition boasts the highest number of women recipients in the awards' history, marking a significant milestone after years of lower female representation among nominees.