Marta Alonso Roldán, researcher at CIMA ( research center Applied Medical Research) and the Clínica Universidad de Navarrahas been awarded in Madrid, during the eighth edition of research of the L'Oréal UNESCO "For Women in Science" Program. For 13 years, this program has been intensively promoting and supporting Spanish women researchers, as well as fostering scientific vocations.

Marta Alonso's project focuses on the development of new therapies for childhood brain tumors. Currently, her team is working on the research of an intelligent virus capable of distinguishing tumor cells from normal cells. "This virus is already in the clinic for adults and has given quite encouraging results, so we wanted to try it in children," she explains.

Other award winners were María Ángeles Tormo, who is outstanding for her study of the bacterium "Staphylococcus aureus", which causes important infections in both humans and animals; Reyes Benlloch, for her programs of study on photoreceptor proteins in plants; Begoña Sot, who studies the proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases ; and Laura Herrero, who is searching for new treatments for obesity and diabetes subject 2.

The five scientists were chosen from more than 300 candidates after a rigorous process. After being reviewed by a Technical Scientific Commission, their candidacies have passed the filter of the Spanish Agency for Evaluation and Projection -ANEP-, belonging to the General Administration of research Scientific and Technical of the Ministry of Economics and Competitiveness. The final decision was made at position by a jury chaired by Dr. Margarita Salas, Ad Honorem Researcher at the Center for Molecular Biology "Severo Ochoa" of the CSIC and the UAM, and composed of Dr. María Blasco, Director of the CNIO, Dr. Pilar Carbonero, Professor at the CNIO, Dr. Pilar Carbonero, Professor of Molecular Biology at the CSIC and the UAM, and Dr. Pilar Carbonero, Professor of Molecular Biology at the CNIO. Pilar Carbonero, Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the School of Agricultural Engineering of the UPM, and Dr. Esteban Domingo, Professor of research of the CSIC at the Center for Molecular Biology "Severo Ochoa".