Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera and La Vanguardia present the 15th Vanguardia Science Awards to three research projects led by women
On Monday, 9 November, Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera and La Vanguardia held the 15th Vanguardia Science Awards ceremony at the La Pedrera Auditorium in Barcelona. This joint initiative recognises scientific excellence in research led by women and helps raise the visibility of female talent in science.
This year's edition received 112 applications, 56% more than the previous year, setting a new record and highlighting the quality and vitality of scientific research carried out in Spain.
The ceremony, held as part of Science Week, brought together the award-winning researchers, Núria Montserrat, Catalonia's Minister for Research and Universities; Lluís Farrés, Director of Education and Science at Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera; and Jordi Juan, Director of La Vanguardia.
Three research projects opening up new avenues in science
The first prize went to Aura Muntasell, a researcher at Hospital del Mar Research Institute and professor at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, for a study that opens up a new avenue for improving cancer immunotherapy.
Her team has developed genetically modified immune cells designed to resist the mechanisms used by tumours to suppress the body's immune response. The research represents an initial step towards a potential new therapeutic strategy. Further studies will now be needed to assess its safety and potential application in patients.
The second prize recognised the work of Susana Carmona, from the Gregorio Marañón Health Research Institute in Madrid, on the changes that occur in women's brains during pregnancy.
The study followed 127 women before, during and after their first pregnancy and identified changes across almost the entire cerebral cortex, linked to oestrogen levels. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between hormonal changes, brain transformations and the bond between mother and baby.
The third prize went to Maria Gonçalves Ageitos and Elisa Bergas Massó, researchers associated with the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya and the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), for a study exploring the relationship between wildfires and ocean productivity.
Their research shows how iron particles carried by wildfire smoke can reach the ocean and stimulate the growth of phytoplankton, the foundation of the marine food chain. The study provides new insights into the connections between terrestrial and marine ecosystems in the context of climate change.
The Foundation's commitment to science and female talent
During the ceremony, Lluís Farrés, Director of Education and Science at Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera, highlighted the organisation's commitment to supporting research talent and the importance of creating opportunities for scientific knowledge to reach society.
"We will continue working to ensure that this talent has opportunities, that research gains visibility and that knowledge helps build a better society," he said.
At Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera, we work to inspire scientific vocations among young people, bring them closer to excellent research and provide opportunities to develop their talent. We do this through programmes such as Joves i Ciència, Bojos per la Ciència and the Barcelona International Youth Science Challenge (BIYSC), which connect students with leading research centres and scientists.
The Vanguardia Science Awards are part of this commitment to science communication and to highlighting female role models who can inspire future generations.
Jordi Juan, Director of La Vanguardia, also emphasised the importance of continuing to recognise research led by women as a way of helping to reduce the gender gap in science.
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of the awards to the winning researchers and an address by Núria Montserrat, Catalonia's Minister for Research and Universities.
After fifteen editions, the Vanguardia Science Awards continue to recognise research that advances scientific knowledge and brings science closer to society.
Pictures: Guifré Sabaté Rispa