Oviedo,SPAIN --  February 8, 2013. – This morning, and at the Board Conference Room of the Hotel de la Reconquista in Oviedo, a press conference was held on the occasion of this afternoon’s award giving ceremony of the XXII DuPont Science Award. The winner, Dr. Francisco Tomás Barberán, was accompanied by the President of the Jury, Professor Santiago Grisolia and DuPont country leader for Iberica, Mr. Enrique Macián.

Within the theme of this XXII edition -dedicated to the field of Health and Nutrition- Dr.Tomás Barberán has been recognized for his scientific contributions in the field of quality food production and its role in improving human health, that has become a benchmark, both nationally and internationally, in the field of food polyphenols, their relationship to the quality and safety of them, and their role in nutrition and health.

"The polyphenols present in food are responsible for many beneficial health effects associated with the consumption of fruits, vegetables and other food products made from them. Identifying their metabolism and mechanism of action is an exciting endeavor that allows us to support nutrition recommendations and design new food ingredients that help consumers enjoy all the benefits that nature provides us through food, "said Dr. Thomas Barberán . He added that "It is a great honor to receive such a prestigious award, as well as a stimulus for our research group  and other scientists in the area of science & technology associated with food & nutrition.''

Professor Santiago Grisolia, President of DuPont Science award jury said "I'm glad to see how our country research teams manage to complete the circle and move their research into a product that can be purchased by any of us. Behind all that, there’s research, teamwork, company vision and support of the CSIC (Spanish Scientific Organization). It is definitely an example of the potential of science in Spain."

Enrique Macián, country leader for DuPont in Iberica mentioned that "Mr. Thomas Barberán’s research in the field of nutrition, show the enormous potential that there still remains to be explored in this area, to which DuPont is not at all alien. Not surprisingly, the company spends more than 62% of our investment in product research and applications that contribute to greater availability, accessibility and quality of nutritional intake."

The DuPont Science Award was established in 1991 under the auspices of Professor Severo Ochoa in order to encourage initiatives which make an important contribution to the advancement of science and its applications. For the last twenty-two years, DuPont has been giving the award to Spanish and Portuguese scientists that have contributed with their work to the advancement of science. Along these years, the award has been given to scientists: José Joaquín Barluenga (1991), Andres Maldonado (1992), Manuel Elices (1993), Francisco José Balta (1994), Avelino Corma (1995), Pedro Miguel Etxenique (1996 ), Moses Moran (1997), Carlos Lopez-Otin (1998), Albert Grañena (1999), Juan Modolell (2000), Carlos Martinez (2001), Maria Carmo Fonseca (2002), Manuel Garcia Velarde (2003), Sergio Moreno (2004) Jaume Veciana (2005) Angel Rubio (2006), Nazario Martín León (2007), Antonio Hernando Grande (2008), Rosa María Menéndez López (2009), Luis Liz Marzan (2010) and Manuel Martinez Hernandez (2011).

 

For interviews or visual inquiries:

Marisa Loredo

Corporate Communications Leader for DuPont Spain & Portugal

Cell phone: 609 307 817

www.premiodupont.org