Laura Valle, a former student of the Faculty of Science, has received the 2020 CIBERONC Best Researcher Award, which is given every year by the Cancer Area of the Center for Biomedical Research Network (CIBER). This award recognizes the merits of a woman researcher in the last decade and the nomination takes into account the five best publications, three projects led and the contribution to oncology research. "For me it is an honor to receive this recognition, as a researcher and as a woman, two facets of my life of which I am very proud. Working in research is not easy, and one feels motivated when one's efforts are recognized," says Valle.

Laura Valle works at the Catalan Institute of Oncology (IDIBELL) -Hereditary Cancer Program- and her research focuses on improving the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of people at risk of developing cancer. "Among our most relevant contributions are the identification of FAN1 and BRF1 as possible causal genes of hereditary colorectal cancer, and the molecular and clinical characterization of several syndromes of this type of cancer, which has had a very relevant impact on their translation to genetic diagnosis and counseling," adds the researcher. 

Laura Valle recognizes that her journey as a woman and researcher is enriching and encourages women scientists to pursue their professional goals with leadership. "As a professional, woman and mother, I encourage all those women who are passionate about science and research not to give up, it is worth the effort. Family support and professional balance at home is key, and in the medium/long term it is very comforting to see that children are proud of their mother because she is a researcher, and because she works to cure or at least improve the lives of people who have or may get cancer."

She points out as scientific references all those who have accompanied her in her training and professional career, both at the National Cancer Research Center, the University of Ohio and the University of Navarra. "My time at the University of Navarra was key to defining my research career. It was a very nice stage, I was enthusiastic about the subjects and that made studying much easier. During my studies I came into close contact with genetics, that's when I got a taste for it, and that's what defined the next steps in my career. I have very good memories of my professors and classmates, and I love meeting some of them at congresses and meetings, and sharing anecdotes from those years", he concludes.