
Minia Manteiga appointed as member of the new Advisory Council for Research and Innovation of Galicia to promote research and innovation
The researcher from CITIC at the University of A Coruña, Minia Manteiga, has been appointed by the Xunta de Galicia as one of the twelve experts who will form part of the new Advisory Council for Research and Innovation of Galicia (I+G+i).
This consultative body aims to strengthen the progress of science, research, and innovation in Galicia by providing specialized advice to the regional administration on defining strategies and priorities in R&D&I. It will also participate in drafting the new Law on Science and Innovation of Galicia.
The Council will be composed of renowned professionals from academic, scientific, and technological fields, both from Galicia and abroad.
With this appointment, Minia Manteiga reinforces her role as a leading figure in computational astrophysics and data science, areas in which CITIC is a center of excellence. Her participation will help strengthen collaboration between academic institutions, research centers, and the Galician business ecosystem, driving a knowledge- and innovation-based development model.
According to the UDC full professor, her experience will allow her to “bring an interdisciplinary perspective on how technology and advanced data analysis can boost research and innovation in Galicia, contribute to strategic development areas, support knowledge transfer, and promote policies that strengthen an open, sustainable, and competitive R&D&I system.”
As the CITIC researcher emphasizes, “the scientific and technological experts who make up this body can help drive areas in which Galicia is already a leader, such as biotechnology, as well as those with the potential to become so, like space development.” This effort, she adds, requires “strengthening working conditions and future prospects in science. Investing in scientific personnel enhances Galicia’s R&D&I system and drives the community’s economic, social, and cultural progress.”
Alongside Minia Manteiga, the new Advisory Council for Research and Innovation of Galicia will be composed of twelve renowned experts. Among them are Ángel Carracedo, Professor of Legal Medicine at USC and Director of the Galician Public Foundation of Genomic Medicine; Concepción Paz, Professor at the University of Vigo; Eva Poveda, Scientific Director of the Galicia Sur Health Research Institute; and Senén Barro, Scientific Director of CiTIUS.
In the field of public R&D&I policy, the Council includes Jorge Barrero, General Director of the Cotec Foundation for Innovation; Cuqui Silva, former Director General of Agriculture and Research at the European Commission; and Paloma Domingos, Deputy Director of the CSIC General Foundation.
The innovation and entrepreneurship sector is represented by Jesús Lago, Managing Director of the Aimen Technology Center; Santiago Domínguez, CEO of Mestrelab Research; Sara Rodríguez, CEO of Hermasa Canning Technology; and Sonia Martínez, PhD in Molecular Biology and founder of Batea Oncology.
The Council will also include the participation of the Regional Minister for Education, Science, Universities, and Vocational Training, Román Rodríguez, and the Director of the Galician Innovation Agency (GAIN), Carmen Cotelo, who will serve as secretary of the Council.