Sílvia Osuna wins the FPdGi Recerca Científica Award 2016

Sílvia Osuna Oliveras (Castelló d’Empúries, 1983), researcher of the Institut de Química Computacional i Catàlisi (IQCC) of the University of Girona has been awarded the Premi Fundació Princesa de Girona Recerca Científica 2016 for her development of new methods for the design of enzyme catalysts that can be used for the production of medicine.

The award committee announced its unanimous decision to reward Osuna “for her research focused on developing enzymes on demand using computational chemistry for the synthesis and production of drugs.” Furthermore, the committee highlights Sílvia Osuna “for her scientific excellence, the boldness of her approach to scientific research and innovation capacity in the development of a new technology.”

The awards Premi Fundació Princesa de Girona recognize the innovative and exemplary career of young researchers between 16 and 35 years old, as well as an organization that works for the benefit of young researchers. In the category of Scientific Research the prize is given specifically to young scientists (including those engaged in human and social sciences) with outstanding projects or studies in their discipline, entrepreneurs or innovators, with a high potential for future expansion. Of the 209 candidatures in this seventh edition of the FPdGi awards, a total of 74 were directed at the award in the category for Scientific Research.

The FPdGi Awards 2016 ceremony, endowed with 10,000 euros and a reproduction of a work of sculptor Juan Muñoz, will take place on July 1, as part of a two-day program of activities in the city of Girona. The first day will be devoted to activities to promote entrepreneurship among young people in the historic center of Girona, as well as a new edition of Close Encounters.