The Science Museum of the University of Navarra has decided to award the "Passion for Science" prize, as part of the international science film festival #LabMeCrazy! Science Film Festival, to Francisco J. Martínez Mojica, researcher at the University of Alicante.

Francis Mojica was a pioneer in the study of repeated genetic sequences in bacteria. His team was the first to show that these sequences are related to bacterial immunity to virus attack. His discovery proved to be essential for the development of CRISPR-Cas technology, which allows genome editing and has led to a revolution in biomedicine and biotechnology. This technology is now used in laboratories all over the world. "Mojica is an example of passion and enthusiasm for science, and of how basic and apparently useless research can revolutionize science," says Ignacio López-Goñi, director of the Science Museum of the University of Navarra.

Mojica's research is of unquestionable relevance and, in recent years, his name has been proposed as a possible candidate for the Nobel Prize in Medicine. In addition, Martínez Mojica has garnered national and international recognition and awards, including the Rey Jaime I Award for Research, and the Albany Medical Center Prize, the most important award in the United States in the field of biomedical research.

"The figure of Mojica is a mirror in which our young researchers should look at, a friendly scientist, close, enthusiastic, methodical and very involved in transmitting the value of science to the new generations," adds López-Goñi.

According to Bienvenido León, director of the film festival, "we have brought together the best audiovisual productions to help citizens enter the world of science from a new approach, seeking scientific rigor, creativity, innovation, passion and commitment. Mojica represents all these values of the festival, so he is very deserving of this award".

First edition of the international scientific film contest

In this first edition of the LabMeCrazy! Science Film Festival, a total of 1,953 audiovisual productions from 107 countries have been submitted. The festival will take place from September 17 to 20 at the auditorium of the University of Navarra Museum. Every day one of the finalist films will be screened at 7:30 pm followed by a discussion with the director and guests.

On Friday, September 20, the final awards gala of the festival will be presented by science journalist América Valenzuela. In addition to the "Passion for Science" award, the gala will present awards to the best works in the different categories: documentary, report or television production, fiction short film, documentary short film, video for the web or social networks, production made by students, and work produced or co-produced by a university. The public will also be able to decide which is their best choice, and this recognition will be chosen among the finalist screenings that will be screened online, for everyone, between September 17 and 19.

On the other hand, during the same week the festival has a program of scientific activities open to the general public, among which are: a safari through Pamplona to learn about the urban fauna by the biologist Enrique Baquero, professor at the University of Navarra; a walk to discover the fossils hidden among the buildings that exist in Pamplona, by the expert Rubén Alonso; and contemplate the firmament during the night of Pamplona, by the astrophysicist and director of the Pamplona Planetarium, Javier Armentia.

- More information about the activities of those days in the festival website