The researcher from CITIC at the University of A Coruña, Susana Ladra, received an honorable mention on January 22 in the Basic Sciences category at the RAGC-UIE Awards for young researchers. The RAGC-UIE Awards, organized by the Royal Galician Academy of Sciences and the UIE, were presented at the ABANCA Social Work center in Santiago, in an event broadcast live on Afundación TV. These awards aim to promote scientific research in Galicia, recognizing the careers of new researchers who contribute to social and technological progress.

Susana Ladra focuses on the design of algorithms and data structures applied to information retrieval and multidisciplinary applications in the field of bioinformatics. During the award ceremony, she highlighted the importance of recognizing the efforts of young people working for science in Galicia, noting that “this award is an incentive to continue researching solutions to relevant and complex problems.”

Among the awardees in this edition were also other Galician researchers. Beatriz Pelaz, a professor at the University of Santiago and a researcher at CiQUS, was awarded in the Basic Sciences category for her work in the development of functional nanomaterials for new nanomedicines. In Technical Sciences, Belén Riveiro, a professor at UVigo and a researcher at CINTECX, was recognized for her research in artificial intelligence applied to the evaluation of civil engineering structures. Cristina Gómez, a professor at USC, was awarded in Social Sciences for her studies on human behavior in contexts of social and political crisis.

Honorable mentions were also awarded. Among them, Iria Gómez, a researcher at CiMUS at USC, stood out for her projects on type 1 diabetes. Sara González, a researcher at CRETUS at USC, was recognized for her work in circular economy and sustainability. Additionally, Ariadna Monje, a professor at UDC, was awarded for her work in entrepreneurship and tourism, strengthening the transfer of scientific knowledge.

Miguel Ángel Escotet, rector of UIE, highlighted the growth of female participation in this first edition, noting that 62% of the applications were from women, of whom seven were awarded. For his part, Juan Lema, president of RAGC, emphasized the importance of making Galician talent in science visible and promoting new generations of researchers.