MED researcher wins 1st Margarita Salas 2024 Prize in Applied Technology

María Pérez-Jiménez has been awarded 1st place in the Margarita Salas 2024 Awards for Scientific Research and Technological Development (Applied Technology category), awarded by Madrid City Council with the aim of promoting and giving visibility to scientific research and innovation, promoting the transfer of knowledge and attracting and retaining innovative talent. These awards recognise the best doctoral theses defended at universities based in the Community of Madrid, which stand out for their excellence, the interest and impact of the topic, as well as the practical applications of the research content.

Of the 3 categories considered, Basic Sciences, Life Sciences and Applied Technology, it was in the latter that the prize was awarded. In this fourth edition, 575 valid applications were received, with the life sciences category being the most numerous with 54 per cent of the applications, followed by the applied technology category with 30 per cent and basic sciences with 16 per cent. The evaluation of the applications was based on the excellence, impact and innovation of the thesis, as established in the terms of the call. The awards ceremony took place on 9 October at the Caja de Música Auditorium in the Centro Centro, Palacio de Cibeles in Madrid.

María Pérez-Jiménez has been a researcher at the MED since April 2023 and is carrying out her research at the Oral Biology and Salivary Proteomics Laboratory at MED-UÉvora. Her research interests are related to the salivary proteome and its influence on the oral perception of food and, ultimately, on food choices. She also collaborates on projects investigating salivary biomarkers for the diagnosis/prevention of diseases.