Second Edition (2019-2020)

The Barcelona Hypatia European Science Prize in its second edition recognises Prof. Ilaria Capua, virologist and current Director of the “One Health” Center of Excellence at the University of Florida, for her notable research career in the fields of veterinary medicine and microbiology, for her contributions to science policy and leadership in the promotion of open access to genetic information on emerging viruses, and for the social impact that she has made through her contributions to the multidisciplinary concept of “one health”. Prof. Capua has taken this concept one step further by identifying how big data technology can be harnessed for the benefit of “circular health” to co-advance human and planetary health.

Launched by the Barcelona City Council in collaboration with the Academia Europaea-Barcelona Knowledge Hub within the framework of the Barcelona Science Plan, the Hypatia Prize seeks to project the city as a European capital of research and innovation. Its main goal is to spotlight science, as well as to promote, support and enhance the value of excellent research conducted in Europe and of its impact on society. The first edition of the prize (2018), devoted to Science and Technology, was awarded to mathematician László Lovász, Professor at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, Hungary, for his outstanding career in the field of mathematics and for the contribution of his research to social progress. In 2021, Prof. Lovász was named Abel Prize Laureate by the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters.

The Hypatia Prize features a monetary award of 30,000 euros and a commemorative plaque, which will be presented to Prof. Capua during a solemn ceremony held in the Saló de Cent (Barcelona City Council’s Main Hall) and presided by the Mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau. The ceremony, set to take place on June 1, 2021, will feature a distinguished lecture by Prof. Capua. Given the rapidly changing circumstances surrounding the current COVID-19 pandemic, details of this event will be confirmed at a later date, in agreement with recommendations by the public health authorities.

The five members comprising the selection jury were: Prof. Eva Kondorosi, Jury President and Member of the Board of Trustees of Academia Europaea; Prof. Ricard Guerrero, Jury Secretary; and Prof. Paola Bonfante, Prof. Lluís Ferrer, and Prof. Cristina Pujades, Jury Members. The jury held a virtual meeting on September 8, 2020, to analyse the information provided by nominators, in line with the prize terms and conditions previously published. Also in attendance, having a voice but not a vote, was Kimberly Katte, Manager of the Barcelona Knowledge Hub of the Academia Europaea.

 From the nineteen candidates nominated in the area of the prize in its second edition (Life and Health Sciences), Prof. Capua was chosen by the members of the selection jury as winner. Their decision was motivated by Prof. Capua’s research career, conducted at the highest international level, by her leadership in the promotion of open access to genetic information on emerging viruses, and by the social impact that she has made through her contributions to the multidisciplinary concept of “one health,” encompassing human, animal and environmental health. Prof. Capua has taken this concept a step further by identifying how big data can be harnessed for the benefit of “circular health”.

Following her selection as prize winner, last fall Prof. Capua was named Member of Academia Europaea (AE) on the President’s List. She will be welcomed into the community of AE scholars at the Building Bridges 2021 conference, to be held in Barcelona on 20-21October.