The Royal Galician Academy of Science (RAGC) gave a recognition to several scientists that carried out significant actions and projects during the Covid-19 crisis. The RAGC awarded a total of 20 research projects carried out in the three Galician universities (9 from USC, 7 from UVigo and 4 from UdC), with the support of other institutions such as the Instituto de Saúde Carlos III, the Axencia Galega de Innovación (GAIN), the Fondo Supera-Covid, the Fundación Amancio Ortega, Sergas, Tragsa, Augas de Galicia and EdardeBens,
The project "Alerta Covid USC-Augas de Galicia" (Juan M. Lema, Miguel Mauricio and Alberto Liñares from biogroup and Sabela Balboa from CRETUS) was highlighted within the "Detection in wastewater" category. This project focuses on the detection of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material in the sludge on WWTPs as early warning tool.
In the category "Inactivation of the virus" the production of sanitizer gel to support Galician healthcare Service conducted by Juan M. Garrido and Gumersindo Feijoo was also highlighted. This task took place at the Pilot Plant of the School of Engineering, where some of the biogroup researchers (Miguel Mauricio) and lab technicians (Ovidio Álvarez) were involved to produce up to 9000 liters of this hydroalcoholic solution during Alert state.
The ceremony was held in the Salón Nobre do Colexio in Fonseca yesterday, 22nd of July of 2020.
