Promotion of scientific innovation among young scientists in our country. THE AstraZeneca Foundation awarded one million euros during the award ceremony VIIIth Young Researchers Prize. This eighth edition, developed under the theme “Science that changes lives”, rewarded four networked research projects with great potential for application to real practice. With this initiative, the AstraZeneca Foundation seeks to promote the development and consolidation of young scientific talents in Spain.
The inauguration of the event was carried out by the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Universities, Juan Cruz Cigudosa, and Rick R. Suárez, president of the AstraZeneca Foundation and president of AstraZeneca Spain, who emphasized that “The Young Investigator Awards are an example of our commitment to supporting emerging scientists called to lead the future of global health.. This year, we have witnessed extraordinary projects that not only have the potential to transform science, but also to improve people’s lives. It is essential that we continue to work together, from institutions to organizations and all stakeholders in the health sector, to ensure that innovation reaches those who need it most. “Science has the power to change lives, and at the AstraZeneca Foundation we are proud to be part of this goal. »
An investment of one million euros
The objective of these awards is to promote research among groups of new researchers from different autonomous communities who participate in a networked research project to obtain transferable results to the population. For this purpose, For the third consecutive year, the AstraZeneca Foundation benefited from an investment of one million eurosthus reinforcing the Foundation’s firm commitment to the development and consolidation of young scientific talents in Spain. Each of the four research groups awarded yesterday received a grant of €225,000 continue to develop innovative research that contributes to improving the quality of life of patients.
Marta Moreno, Vice President of the AstraZeneca Foundation and Director of Corporate Affairs and Market Access at AstraZeneca, declared at the closing of the event that “in this eighth edition of the Young Researchers Awards, we reaffirm our commitment towards the promotion of science and support for young researchers. We have seen how the collaboration between different autonomous communities and the active participation of women leaders in science have taken new steps. The AstraZeneca Foundation is proud to be able to contribute to the development of innovative projects with the potential to transform society and improve people’s quality of life. We will continue to support innovation and young scientific talents in Spain, convinced that they are the key to meeting the challenges of the future.“.
In this sense, this latest edition of the Young Researchers Awards has reached a new participation record, reaching a total of 48 projects presented by 179 research groups from 127 different institutions. Additionally, more than 50% of the projects were led by women, a clear indication of the growing presence and leadership of women in science.
For this edition, one more year, the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII) was responsible for evaluating the projects presented. “At the Carlos III Health Institute we are proud to have participated again in this initiative. The quality and potential of the projects received this year were exceptional, reflecting the talent and dedication of our young scientists. We are convinced that This research will have a significant impact on society and we will continue to support initiatives that promote scientific excellence. and interdisciplinary collaboration, and which, ultimately, contribute to improving people’s health”, says Marina Pollán, director of ISCIII. In addition, this year, as in the last edition, the projects were able to present a letter of support issued by a patient association, an aspect which was positively valued during the selection of the award-winning projects.
Award-winning projects
Category Respiratory and Immunology
He DIAMOMS Projectled by Dr. José Antonio Cañas Mañas, from the Immunoallergy Laboratory of the Department of Immunology of the Health Research Institute of the Jiménez Díaz Foundation (IIS-FJD, UAM), seeks improve the diagnosis of asthma and monitoring treatment with biologic drugs through metabolome, secretome and miRNAome analysis, providing a more precise approach to asthma patients.
It has the collaboration of Dr. Carlos José Aranda, of the Institute of Biomedical Research and Nanomedicine Platform of Malaga (IBIMA BIONAND Platform) and the Regional University Hospital of Malaga (Civil Hospital), and of Dr. Manuel Jorge Rial, of the A Coruña Institute of Biomedicine Research (INIBIC) and the A Coruña University Hospital Complex. In addition, it benefits from the support of the ASMAMADRID Association.
Category Oncology, Precision Medicine and Immuno-oncology
He project “Towards a next generation chimeric antigen receptor therapy for cholangiocarcinoma”coordinated by Dr. Tian Tian, Ramón y Cajal researcher and head of the translational team of the Upper Gastrointestinal and Endocrine Tumors Group of the Vall d’Hebron Oncology Institute (VHIO), has was awarded in this category for its advances in the field of gastrointestinal cancerand more particularly in cholangiocarcinoma, an aggressive form of liver cancer.
In addition, Dr. Alena Gros, also a member of the VHIO, Dr. Víctor Moreno García, from the Jiménez Díaz Foundation Hospital, Dr. Angela Lamarca, from the Health Research Institute and Foundation Hospital Jiménez Díaz, and Dr. Angela Lamarca also collaborate in this project with Dr. Mariano Ponz, from the University Clinic of Navarra. It benefits from the support of the Association of Bile Tract Tumors (ATUVIBI).
Category Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism
He HI-COR-65 Projectunder the coordination of Dr. Clara Bonanad Lozano, of the Research Foundation of the Clinical Hospital of the Valencian Community INCLIVA, clinical cardiologist at the University Clinical Hospital of Valencia and associate professor of the Department of Medicine of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry of the University of Valencia, explores the Use of Intravenous Iron as a Treatment to Improve Quality of Life in Elderly Patients Suffering from Acute Coronary Syndromehigh-risk cardiovascular disease. Dr. Bonanad also collaborates with the Center Network for Biomedical Research in Cardiovascular Diseases (CIBER-CV) in Madrid.
Also collaborating in this project are Dr. Sergio Raposeiras, from the Álvaro Cunqueiro Hospital in Vigo and the Health Research Institute of Galicia Sur, Dr. Luis David Vivas, from the San Carlos Clinical Hospital and Dr. Diego Ginés Segura, from the University Clinical Hospital. .San Cecile. In addition, it has the support of the Platform of Cardiovascular Patient Associations of the Spanish Heart Foundation.
Category Infectious and immunopreventable diseases
He PROTECT-SD projectcoordinated by Dr. Peter Olbrich, associate physician of the Department of Pediatric Infectology, Rheumatology and Immunology (SIRIP) of the Virgen del Rocío Children’s University Hospital, professor in the Department of Pediatrics of the University’s Faculty of Medicine from Seville. and part of the team from the Laboratory of Congenital Alterations of Immunity of the Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), aims study the immune response and protection provided by the trivalent influenza vaccine in children with Down syndromea group particularly vulnerable to complications from the flu.
The Andalusian Public Foundation for Health Research Management of Seville (FISEVI), Dr. Carlos Daniel Grasa, from the University Hospital of La Paz and Dr. Irene Rivero, from the University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de -Compostella, are also collaborating on this project. In addition, it has the support of the Spanish Down Syndrome Federation, the Andalusian Federation of Down Syndrome Associations (DOWN Andalucía) and the Provincial Down Syndrome Association of Seville (DOWN Sevilla).
Dr Rafael Matesanz, Honorary Prize from the AstraZeneca Foundation
The Young Researchers Awards also include an exceptional distinction, the Honorary Award of Excellence for Scientific Career and Outstanding Contribution to the Health of Societywhich is intended for an outstanding clinical scientist to highlight their overall career in the field of biomedical research and for their dedication to the generation of scientific knowledge and advancement in their specialty or area of knowledge, as well as for the impact on the health of the population.
This year it was awarded to Dr. Rafael Matesanz, founder and former director of the National Transplant Organization (ONT)for his distinguished career in the field of donation and transplantation. The doctor accompanied the young researchers during the awards ceremony.
