Nerea Guembe, Master in Biomedical Research at the University of Navarra, receives a runner-up prize in the Archimedes competition .

Nerea Guembe Michel (Noáin, 1999), a former student of the School of Sciences of the University of Navarra, has received a runner-up prize in the University Archimedes competition , in recognition of the quality and relevance of her research work carried out in the Master's Degree in Biomedical Research at the University of Navarra. The Archimedes competition , organized by the General Secretariat of Universities since 2002, selects research work carried out by university students in different branches of knowledge.

"This is a very special award . It not only validates the effort and hours dedicated to the project, which continues now with the doctoral dissertation, but also reinforces my motivation to continue developing as a young researcher," says Nerea Guembe.

Graduated in Chemistry (2021) and Biochemistry (2024) Nerea Guembe completed the Master in Biomedical Research (2023) at the School of Sciences of the University of Navarra, and is currently working on her doctoral dissertation at the academic center.

Nerea's research focuses on finding new ways to administer drugs to treat leishmaniasis - a disease caused by the Leishmania parasite that is transmitted to people by the bite of an insect. This tropical disease affects people living with few resources and limited access to treatment.

"The drugs available today can generate resistance, toxicity and significant side effects, and they are often administered by means of very painful injections. That is why it is necessary to investigate new forms of administration that allow us to reduce these problems and improve the quality of life of patients," says the young researcher.

Nerea's research group seeks to improve existing treatments, reduce side effects and slow down parasite resistance to treatments. For the doctoral student from Navarra, "the techniques and strategies we develop can be applied to many other diseases, which broadens the impact of our research beyond leishmaniasis".