The Royal Academy of University Professors has awarded the Juan Abelló Pascual II Prize to a thesis defended in the School of Sciences of the University of Navarra by the researcher Henar Hevia. Her study, undertaken at the Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA) of the University of Navarra, resulted in the discovery of the action of a molecule involved in inflammatory processes which may prevent the development of liver cancer and fight autoimmune diseases. The prize was awarded in the Royal Academy of Graduate Studies in Madrid.

For Dr. Henar Hevia, the award symbolizes, "the recognition of the work that made up this doctoral thesis. Almost four years were dedicated, almost exclusively, to the thesis; in addition, in order to write the thesis I spent much time in the laboratory and many hours studying. This prize is the culmination of a doctorate to which I dedicated all of my time and effort."

The celebrated thesis concentrated on discovering the anti-inflammatory role of the molecule metiltioadenosina (MTA). According to Dr. Hevia, "the administration of MTA could be effective in the treatment of illnesses which cause inflammations, such as cirrhosis of the liver, arthritis or Multiple Sclerosis."

Henar Hevia, who majored in Biochemistry at the University of Navarra in 2002, joined the Hepatology and Genetic Therapy Area at the CIMA, where she carried out her doctrinal dissertation. Currently, she is working in the field of research for a consultant company regarding the sector of life sciences.

For its part, the Royal Academy of University Professors of Spain is an organization with many facets, created in 1920 with a scientific, technical, humanistic and social character whose mission is to contribute to the development of Science, Arts, Humanities and culture in general.