“Premis Ciutat de Barcelona” Awards
The Barcelona City Awards have been held since 1949 and are awarded annually by the City Council. They have been adapting to the reality of the moment and the evolution of the city. They were born as literary awards, and have gradually incorporated other artistic and educational disciplines, and finally also scientific projects.
The awards recognize excellence and international projection in the creation and in cultural, scientific and educational research and provide a grant of 9,500 euros for each of the winners, in addition to the accrediting diploma and a commemorative object.
In the last edition (corresponding to 2024) they distinguished 16 categories, among which 3 in the scientific field:
Life Sciences
For scientific research and dissemination works in the field of life sciences carried out, presented or published by an organization, institution or company in Barcelona or its metropolitan region during the year 2024. The amount of the award will correspond to the author or authors, the researcher or researchers, or the institution or company that develops the project.
Experimental sciences and technology
Awarded to a scientific research and dissemination work in the field of experimental sciences and technology carried out, presented or published by an organization, institution or company in Barcelona or its metropolitan region during the year 2024. The award will be allocated to the author or authors, the researcher or researchers, or the institution or company responsible for carrying it out.
Environmental and Earth Sciences
Awarded to a scientific research and dissemination work in the field of environmental and Earth sciences carried out, presented or published by an organization, institution or company in Barcelona or its metropolitan region throughout 2024. The amount of the award will correspond to the author or authors, the researcher or researchers, or the institution or company that carries it out.
The jury for the scientific categories was made up of people of recognized scientific prestige in this latest edition and was chaired by members of the Scientific Advisory Board of Barcelona.
2024 AWARDS
In the latest edition, corresponding to 2024, the awards for the three scientific categories were awarded at a ceremony held on May 26 at the Saló de Cent of Barcelona City Council, with the presence of Mayor Jaume Collboni. For the first time, a special day was organized for the scientific categories, after the other 13 awards for the culture and urban planning fields were presented on March 12.
The awards for research and innovation were given to the following 3 works, and they also received a special mention:
Environmental and Earth Sciences:
The award went to the study “Europe report of the Lancet Countdown on Health and climate change: unprecedented warming demands unprecedented action” led by researchers Kim van Daalen, first author, and Rachel Lowe, research leader. The jury highlighted the components of innovation and scope, the international collaboration and the relevant scientific contribution of a work that serves as a reference for interdisciplinary research on the impacts of climate change on health.
Life Sciences:
In this category, researcher Laura Soucek was recognized for her article “MYC targeting by OMO-103 in sòlid tumors: a phase 1 trial” published in the journal Nature Medicine. The study demonstrates, based on a clinical trial, the validity of the MYC protein as a therapeutic target for the treatment of solid tumors. The jury particularly valued the researcher’s commitment to transferring her applied knowledge to useful therapies for citizens.
Experimental Sciences and Technology:
In this field, the award went to Jose Antonio Garrido and Kostas Kostarelos, for the article Nanoporous Graphene-based thin-film microelectrodes for in vivo-high-resolution neural recording and stimulation” which develops a graphene technology, which has allowed the integration of microimplants in the field of neuromedicine, currently in the analysis phase.
On the other hand, the jury also awarded a special mention to Marcel Guàrdia, for his article “Why are inner planets not inclined?”. The work demonstrates a mathematical theorem on instability in planetary systems, providing a plausible explanation for the stability of the solar system.
