Fundación Occident held the 2025 Jesús Serra Research Awards, recognising in its seventh edition breakthroughs in microbiota, food addiction, obesity, epigenetics and breast cancer. For the first time, the organisation also featured the Honourable Mentions for Science Outreach, which distinguish rigorous communication and dissemination in the fields of diet and nutrition.
Researchers Jordi Mayneris-Perxachs (IDIBGI) and Ana Belén Crujeiras (IDIS-SERGAS) won the basic and clinical research categories, respectively. In science outreach, Cristina Sáez (Diari Ara) and the podcast “A la guerra con una cuchara”, by Beatriz Robles and Laura Caorsi, were also acknowledged.
Basic research: microbiota and food addiction
Jordi Mayneris-Perxachs, Research group leader of Integrative Systems Medicine and Biology at the Girona Biomedical Research Institute Dr. Josep Trueta (IDIBGI) and member of CIBEROBN, was recognised for his research on the connection between gut microbiota and food addiction, a key factor in the development of obesity.
His project analyses how a common gut bacterium —with probiotic potential— and the compounds it generates could prevent or treat this disorder, which affects around 20% of the population and lacks effective treatments.
The study combines analyses in humans and animal models to identify key mechanisms between microbiota, addictive behaviour and metabolic health.
“Thanks to the Jesús Serra Research Award, we will be able to advance in the development of new natural strategies based on the use of probiotics to prevent and treat food addiction and, as a result, contribute to reducing obesity”, stated Mayneris-Perxachs.
Clinical research: epigenetics, obesity and breast cancer
Ana Belén Crujeiras, Research group leader of Epigenomics in Endocrinology and Nutrition at the Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS) and member of CIBEROBN, was acknowledged for her work on the epigenetic connections between obesity, ageing and breast cancer.
The project will assess, for the first time in a clinical study, whether weight loss can improve the effectiveness of treatments in postmenopausal women with obesity and breast cancer. Participants will follow either a low-calorie, ketogenic diet or a standard nutritional treatment and will be compared to women with a healthy weight. Tumour progression, metabolism, quality of life and ageing markers will be analysed using innovative techniques in liquid biopsy.
The results aim to integrate nutritional therapies into oncology practice and promote personalised prevention strategies.
“The acknowledgement of this project reinforces the importance of understanding how obesity has an influence on the biology of breast cancer. It will not only improve cancer treatments, but also foster prevention and sustainability strategies aimed at reducing obesity’s impact on healthcare and society“, said Crujeiras.
Federico Halpern Honourable Mention for Science Outreach
This edition features the Federico Halpern Honourable Mentions for Science Outreach, established in collaboration with the Spanish Association of Science Communication (AECC) and the National Association of Health Journalists (ANIS), with the aim of highlighting the work of journalists, communicators and researchers that contribute to disseminating scientific knowledge and making it accessible to the public in a clear and rigorous manner.
Journalist Cristina Sáez was recognised in the Traditional Media category for her informative work on microbiota and nutrition, as science coordinator of the newspaper ARA and collaborator in national and international media.
Beatriz Robles and Laura Caorsi received the Honourable Mention in the New Media category for their podcast “A la guerra con una cuchara”, which analyses the social, economic and cultural factors that influence our food choices.
A gala aimed at acknowledging science and its dissemination
The winners of the awards were announced today at a ceremony held in Madrid, presided by Laura Halpern —President of Fundación Occident— and closed by Eva Ortega, Secretary General for Research. The gala, hosted by television personality Jorge Fernández, was held under the theme “Feeding health is everyone’s business”, highlighting the crucial role of both research and communication in improving public health.
The jury was presided by the world expert in cardiology Lina Badimon and considered 58 candidates (25 for basic research and 33 for clinical research), the highest number to date.