Mercedes Unzeta awarded in the institutional ceremony to commemorate International Women's Day

22/02/2017

This year, the UAB celebrates the brilliant career path of chemist Dr Mercedes Unzeta, emeritus professor of the UAB Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

She was recently chosen as one of the 10 most outstanding women in academia, according to the ranking ‘Top 100 leader women in Spain’ by the platform Mujeres&Compañía. Each year, a panel of 50 experts selects 100 women from 10 different areas. The ranking aims to give visibility to women so that they can become role models and make their voice heard in debates and in the issues included in strategic political, economic and social agendas.

Dr Mercedes Unzeta is director of a research group at the UAB Institute of Neurosciences specialising in the study of oxidative stress and its relation to neurodegenerative diseases. She holds a PhD in Chemistry and her research is focused on the concept of neurovascular unit and its relation to Alzheimer's disease. She has published over 80 articles in international journals and has five approved patents. She has also participated in several research projects funded by the European Union.

She also occupied the position of vice rector under both Rector Lluís Ferrer and Rector Ana Ripoll.

Following the award presentation, Dr Maria Teresa Ruíz Cantero, lecturer in Medicine at the University of Alacant and specialised in gender bias in Health Care, gave a conference on Gender and Health Innovations. Margarita Arboix, Rector of the UAB, Sara Moreno, Vice-Rector for Students and Employability, and Joana Gallego, Director of the Observatory for Equality also participated in the ceremony.