Find out the winner of the 23rd edition of the Syva Award!

Find out the winner of the 23rd edition of the Syva Award!

Dr Roberto Sánchez Sánchez, from Madrid Complutense University, with his research work “Toxoplasmosis and neosporosis in domestic ruminants: normalization of animal models and evaluation of new drugs” won the 23rd Syva Award for best Doctoral Thesis in Animal Health of €15,000. Congratulations! 

 

The winning thesis was presented under the supervision of Drs Luis Miguel Ortega Mora, Ignacio Ferre Pérez and Michela Tatiana Re.

Dr Roberto Sánchez Sánchez is a vet who graduated from León University (2012) and was awarded a Doctorate “cum laude” from Madrid Complutense University, with a minor International Doctorate (2018).

He is currently a postdoctorate researcher with the UCM’s SALUVET group and has a contract with the Technological Platform for Research into Animal Health (PLATESA) for the Community of Madrid.

The Selection Board was chaired by Dr César B. Gutiérrez Martín (ULE), and comprised of Drs Ricardo de la Fuente López (UCM), Javier Lucientes Curdi (Unizar) and Rosario Bullido Gómez de las Heras (AEMPS). It also included Dr Maria Luisa de Arriba Martín, from Laboratorios Syva.

The research topic tackled Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum, apicomplexan parasites responsible for reproductive failure in ovine-caprine livestock and bovine livestock, respectively. Moreover, T. gondii is a zoonotic agent with broad global distribution. Animal models are an essential tool to study the pathogeny of disease and to develop drugs and vaccines.

Currently, there are no effective drugs to treat these diseases in ruminants. The calcium dependent protein, kinase 1 (CDPK1), has recently been reported, against which a group of drugs known as “Bumped Kinase Inhibitors” (BKIs) have been developed with promising results.

The aim of the thesis was to normalize expectant ovine models with T. gondii and N. caninum infection and, using these, evaluate the safety and efficacy of BKIs. The thesis results comprise an essential proof of concept to reveal the usefulness of these compounds in monitoring both diseases in domestic ruminants.

You may also be interested in

23 October, 2023

Syva goes one step further in its commitment to the protection of the environment

Syva confirms its commitment to the environment by taking a giant step towards greater energy efficiency with the installation of more than 3,000 square metres of photovoltaic panels on the roofs of its production centre. And on Friday 20 October it started producing its first kilowatts of electricity.

Read more

22 September, 2023

Azucena Mora, winner of the Syva Award 2003, achieves the highest academic level

It has been an impressive journey since 2003, when she submitted her thesis and, as a young doctor, won the Syva Award. Since then, their paths have regularly crossed with those of our colleagues. Her testimonial as a winner and as a member of the panel of the jury for the 25th edition of the Award in 2022 and...

Read more

30 August, 2023

New tool for controlling erysipelas and PPV: Syvac® Ery Parvo

Because every farm is unique, it needs individualised protocols for swine erysipela and PPV control. Failing to control erysipelas and PPV throughout a sow's life can lead to a host of problems that are difficult to control and have a direct impact on production.

Read more