Dr. Lara Touza Otero, a researcher from the Institute of Materials (iMATUS) at the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), has been honored with the First Prize in the ÍCARUS Awards for Doctoral Theses in the field of Health Sciences. This award, granted by the USC, recognizes research excellence and, crucially, the transfer potential of research results to society and industry.
Pharmaceutical Innovation and Circular Economy
Titled “Harnessing Grape Marc Polyphenols for Veterinary Health: Design and Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Formulations”—and supervised by professors Patricia Díaz Rodríguez and Mariana Landín Pérez—the thesis addresses a highly relevant current challenge: the valorization of by-products from the wine industry.
The research stands out for its multidisciplinary approach, integrating three key pillars:
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Sustainability: Harnessing polyphenols from grape marc for new applications.
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Pharmaceutical Technology: Design and evaluation of innovative formulations.
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Animal Health: Developing new therapeutic alternatives with practical applications in veterinary medicine.
This work exemplifies the commitment of iMATUS to the circular economy, transforming industrial waste into high-value solutions for the animal health sector.
About the ÍCARUS Program
The USC’s ÍCARUS program aims to identify and reward Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral theses that demonstrate exceptional potential for creating scientific, technological, and social impact. With this recognition, the USC highlights the importance of knowledge transfer as a driver of development and technological advancement.
We at iMATUS congratulate Dr. Lara Touza Otero and her thesis supervisors on this well-deserved recognition, which reinforces our institute’s commitment to excellence-driven research focused on solving real-world problems.
More information: You can find all the details about the awards and the program on the official USC portal: ÍCARUS Awards