The jury of the 2020 National Research Awards decided to grant José Capmany Francoy, lead researcher of the Photonics Research Labs (PRL), this award for his pioneering contribution to the field of photonic engineering and optical telecommunications, through a cutting-edge scientific activity with a significant international impact. In addition, he highlighted the exemplary nature of Capmany’s professional career, his leadership capacity and his perseverance in developing the practical application of his research.

“This award recognizes the top-level research and technology transfer work that has been carried out by my research group for the last 25 years. For me is an honor to work with the members of my team and learn from them in a daily basis, to jointly contribute to the development of the science and the competitiveness in Spain, what is especially important in difficult times like these”, pointed out professor Capmany.

R&D and innovation ,essential

The National Research Awards aim to recognize the merit of Spanish researchers who are carrying out an outstanding work in scientific fields of international relevance and their extraordinary contribution to the scientific progress, the transfer of technology and the progress of Humanity. These prizes grant 30.000€ per category.

National Research Awards ceremony has been chaired by the kings of Spain, Philip VI and Letizia, along with the minister of Science and Innovation, Pedro Duque, who highlighted the special relevance of the awards granted this year because “effective vaccines to stop coronavirus pandemic have been delivered in a surprisingly short time period thanks to science and innovation research”. The minister said during his speech that R&D and innovation is “essential to improve competitiveness of Spain, what makes possible high quality and highly paid employment”. Prof. Capmany and the rest of the excellent scientific researchers awarded this year “play a key role to achieve that objective”.