The Jaime Ferrán Awards, granted every two years by the Spanish Society for Microbiology (SEM), were established in 1983 when the SEM decided that one of the lectures at each national congress would be delivered by a young researcher. The awardees are selected from SEM members under the age of 40 who have demonstrated “an outstanding scientific career in the field of microbiology.”

In its 21st edition, to be presented in 2025, the award has been given to Professor Ignacio Belda.

Beyond the monetary prize, the true value of the award lies in its prestige and the opportunity to deliver the closing lecture at the Congress of Microbiology, which this year will hold its 30th edition in Jaén in June.

With this recognition, Ignacio Belda follows in the footsteps of the two most recent recipients, Drs. Jerónimo Rodríguez-Beltrán and Álvaro San Millán.