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• Dr. López-Bigas has been presented with the Award for Scientific Career Achievement for her pioneering contribution to the study of cancer mutations and precision medicine.
• This year’s Constantes y Vitales Awards also recognize Dr. Berta Sánchez-Laorden, Dr. Amaia Cipitria Sagardia, and the Health Service of the Principality of Asturias.
Dr. Núria López-Bigas, ICREA researcher, professor at UPF, and leader of the Biomedical Genomics Laboratory at IRB Barcelona, received the Constantes y Vitales Award for Scientific Career Achievement in Biomedical Research yesterday—a recognition that highlights her decisive contribution to understanding how cancer-causing mutations originate and evolve.
Throughout her career, Dr. López-Bigas has developed pioneering computational methods to identify cancer-driving mutations and to understand tumour evolution, making an essential contribution to personalized medicine.
Her laboratory has led the development of internationally recognized tools such as the Cancer Genome Interpreter, which enables the interpretation of mutations and helps guide therapeutic decisions in clinical settings.
In addition to her scientific impact, she has trained generations of researchers and collaborated on numerous international projects, establishing herself as a leading figure in the field of bioinformatics applied to oncology.
The award was presented by astronaut and former Minister of Science and Innovation Pedro Duque. As Dr. López-Bigas was unable to attend the ceremony, it was accepted on her behalf by Dr. Ángela Nieto, Director of the Developmental Neurobiology Unit at the Institute of Neurosciences in Alicante.
Award ceremony in Madrid
The award ceremony for the 11th Constantes y Vitales Awards was held yesterday at the Palacio Neptuno in Madrid, with the participation of Diana Morant, Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities, as well as representatives from Atresmedia and the AXA Foundation, organizers of the initiative.
The event was hosted by journalist Mamen Mendizábal and featured remarks by Javier Bardají, CEO of Atresmedia, and Olga Sánchez, President of the AXA Foundation.
Other award-winning women scientists and organizations
The 11th edition of the Constantes y Vitales Awards, promoted by laSexta and the AXA Foundation, has recognized exclusively women scientists in three of its categories this year, along with one healthcare organization.
• Best Biomedical Publication: Dr. Berta Sánchez-Laorden (Institute of Neurosciences, CSIC-UMH), for a study published in Cancer Cell that demonstrates how to reprogram microglia to slow down brain metastases of melanoma and improve the response to immunotherapy.
• Young Talent Award in Biomedical Research: Dr. Amaia Cipitria Sagardia (Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute), a specialist in bioengineering applied to regeneration and cancer. The award, endowed with €100,000, will support the continuation of her research lines on tumour dormancy and bone metastasis.
• Best Awareness Campaign in Medical Prevention: Health Service of the Principality of Asturias (SESPA), for the Rational Use of Medicines initiative—a multichannel campaign designed to promote responsible medicine use and reduce self-medication.
Sustained commitment to science
Since 2014, the Constantes y Vitales Awards have established themselves as a benchmark in the promotion of science in Spain, helping to raise the visibility of biomedical research and emerging talent, and allocating more than €1.1 M to support scientific projects.
About IRB Barcelona
The Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) pursues a society free of disease. To this end, it conducts multidisciplinary research of excellence to cure cancer and other diseases linked to ageing. It establishes technology transfer agreements with the pharmaceutical industry and major hospitals to bring research results closer to society, and organises a range of science outreach activities to engage the public in an open dialogue. IRB Barcelona is an international centre that hosts 400 researchers and more than 30 nationalities. Recognised as a Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence since 2011, IRB Barcelona is a CERCA centre and member of the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST).
