Spanish King Awards Carlos M. Duarte Science Prize for Outstanding Research

Carlos M. Duarte was awarded the Premio Nacional de Investigación in Madrid in January for his outstanding research.  At the award ceremony attended by the Spanish royal family, he was presented with the Alejandro Malaspina Prize in Natural Resource Science and Technology by King Juan Carlos.  Four other scientists were also recognized for contributions to their disciplines. 

The Malaspina Prize recognizes Dr. Duarte’s outstanding studies of marine ecosystems.

The jury for the prize said that Duarte is one of the world’s leading researchers in marine ecosystems.  They noted that the work he has conducted forms the basis for further research into global climate change.  Dr. Duarte’s discoveries about links to marine organisms provides valuable input in this field.

After completing a doctorate in limnology in Montreal, Canada, Carlos Duarte returned to Spain for a postdoc at the Institute of Marine Sciences in Barcelona.  Since 1989, he has conducted research in various posts for Spain’s highest scientific research council, the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científica (CSIC).  He has been based at the Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados in Mallorca, an institute for advanced studies attached to the University of the Balearic Islands since 1999.

Carlos Duarte’s scientific investigations are reflected in international research projects throughout Europe, South-East Asia, Mexico, the USA, Australia and the Arctic.  He has published over 280 scientific articles and is co-editor of the books Seagrasses: Biology, Ecology and Conservation and Aquaculture in the Ecosystem.  In addition to his extensive research projects Dr. Duarte serves the scientific community through professional societies.  As many readers know, he is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Federation’s official journal Estuaries and Coasts.  Carlos Duarte has been on the Federation’s governing board since 2002.  In 2006, he was elected President of the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography.

The Spanish science prize has been awarded by Spain’s Ministry of Education and Science since 2001.  The prize is awarded to Spanish researchers whose work benefits science at an international level and leads to the benefit and progress of humanity, sustainable development and technology transfer.  Each prize winner receives €80,000.  This year, there were five laureates from a wide variety of disciplines.