Gonzalo Arrondo, researcher of the Institute for Culture and Society (ICS) of the University of Navarra, has obtained a financial aid for Ramón y Cajal contracts awarded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation of the Government of Spain to researchers with an outstanding career in centers of research and development.

With this funding, the researcherwill continue with his workin the group 'Mind-Brain' of the ICS on mental health "with an emphasis on children and adolescents", he stressed. Specifically, the expert will advance in different international programs of studyon topics such as habits, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder or the psychological consequences of the pandemic in children and young people.  

Born in Pamplona, Arrondo is graduatein Psychology and Psychopedagogy, Master's Degreein Neuropsychology and PhD in Neuroscience from the School of Medicine of the University of Navarra. He has spent time at researchin prestigious international institutions, such as the University of Cambridge, and has led several researchprojects funded by both the Government of Navarra and the Government of Spain.

Recognition of an outstanding career

Gonzalo Arrondo has led a recently completed project: 'Effects on health and functioning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spanish children and young people', funded by the department of Health of the Government of Navarra in the frameworkof the Call for projects of researchin Health Sciences related to the pandemic produced by the SASRS-Cov-2 virus. Its goalhas been to analyse the state, evolution and factors involved in the mental health of the non-adult population related to the pandemic and its phases.

The grants for Ramón y Cajal contracts have a duration of five years and are aimed at goalpromote the incorporation of researchers with an outstanding track record, as well as encouraging the creation of permanent positions work. They are financed by the Ministry of Science and Innovation - State Agency of researchand by the European Social Fund 'Invest in your future'.

For Arrondo, the Ramón y Cajal award means "joy, peace of mind and recognition", as for him it is "a awardfor the effort and sacrifices made so far in terms of work, staffand family".