Biologist Anna Veiga receives gold medal from Parliament of Catalonia

The Parlamient of Catalonia has given their gold medal to scientist Anna Veiga, social activist Núria Gispert and chef Carme Ruscalleda in recognition of their careers, which are an example of talent and society’s transformative potential. The awards ceremony was held on Tuesday during an institutional act featuring President of the Government of Catalonia Artur Mas and President of the Parliament of Catalonia Núria de Gispert.

Mas remarked that this year the winners are "three women who have helped the country excel in science, culture and social justice, areas that demonstrate the quality of a society.” While other countries in Europe have required two or three generations, "Catalonia has made a huge leap in these three fields in just one generation." The head of the executive branch also spoke about the values and attitude these three women transmit, "positive energy, generosity and modesty." 

Pioneer in in-vitro fertilization and stem cells

Anna Veiga (Barcelona, 1956) is head of the Stem Cell Bank at the Center of Regenerative Medicine in Barcelona (CMRB) and scientific director of the Reproductive Medicine Department at Quiron Dexeus University Hospital. In 1984, she made headlines with the birth of the first test-tube baby in Spain, an experience she related in her book El miracle de la vida (The Miracle of Life). Today she is one of the most recognized Catalan researchers in the world in assisted reproduction, sterility treatment and stem cells. She has received awards such as the Government of Catalonia’s Creu de Sant Jordi and the National Award for Scientific Culture and Thought.

In her acceptance speech, Veiga gave an overview of scientific breakthroughs from the first research into in vitro fertilization, which has helped “many couples overcome their fertility problems.” She also highlighted the importance of stem-cell research to “treat degenerative diseases that currently have no cure” and for it to start to be possible “to restore functions lost due to illness.” The Catalan scientist, at the end of the event, asked the government “not to cut the research budget, as projects are jeopardized by this economic situation.”

We recommend the interview Biocat held with her in May 2011 during the international scientific debate Fertility Preservation Update: Consensus Meeting, of which she was a scientific leader along with Dr. Pedro N. Barri of the Dexeus University Institute.