The eleventh edition of the Third Millennium Awards, organised by Heraldo in collaboration with the Government of Aragon, yesterday recognised José María Martínez Montiel (Research and Future Award), Ricardo J. Rodríguez (Runner-up in Cybersecurity), Pilar García Navarro and Sergio Martínez-Aranda (Runner-up Prize in Environmental Technologies) and Daniel Martín Serrano (Runner-up Prize in Young Research Talent), all belonging to the Aragon Engineering Research Institute (I3A), at a gala that brought together representatives from the R&D&I ecosystem, companies and institutions at the Espacio Fersa.
In the Research and Future Award category, the jury recognised José María Martínez Montiel (RoPERT group) for his EndoCartoScope project. The initiative develops 3D maps of the patient's interior from endoscopic video, enabling improved diagnosis and clinical intervention. When accepting the award, Martínez Montiel said: ‘I am fortunate to lead a young team that is convinced it can bring 3D mapping inside the human body for the first time, offering intelligent real-time assistance to endoscopists and future compatibility with robotic surgery.’
The jury also awarded three runners-up prizes in the Cybersecurity category, recognising the project Strengthening Cybersecurity for the Future, led by Ricardo J. Rodríguez and the DiSCo group. Their work focuses on improving the detection and analysis of digital threats using open tools already used by companies and institutions.
In the environmental field, the runner-up prize went to the contribution of the Fluid Dynamics Technologies (TFD) group, with Pilar García Navarro and Sergio Martínez-Aranda as scientific leaders, in the Efhera project coordinated by SARGA, which develops high-resolution digital models to plan the recovery of areas affected by large forest fires.
The Young Research Talent Runner-up Prize recognised the career of Daniel Martín Serrano (Graphics and Imaging Lab group), a specialist in virtual reality and computer graphics, who was awarded for his scientific and technological contributions in the field of XR technologies applied to health.
The ceremony recognised the role of research, development and innovation as pillars of scientific and technological progress. The Tercer Milenio supplement, which now exceeds 1,000 issues, emphasised the importance of bringing complex projects closer to the public and strengthening the link between science and society.
The director of the Aragón Institute of Technology, Esther Borao, insisted that Aragón is facing a historic period marked by major industrial and technological investments that ‘mean new opportunities, but also responsibility,’ and called for collaboration between institutions, companies, researchers and technology centres: ‘Ideas are fine, but the important thing is to make them a reality. If we want to be competitive, we must do it together.’
From the host company, FERSA, its managing director, Rafael Cañizares, highlighted the company's commitment to innovation and scientific dissemination: ‘Innovation is the engine of progress. These awards recognise precisely what we try to put into practice: turning ideas into real solutions.’ He recalled that collaboration between companies, universities and technology centres is essential to position Aragón ‘in an increasingly relevant role on the international stage’.
The Third Millennium Awards, promoted by HERALDO for eleven editions, recognise each year the work of researchers, scientific groups, technology centres, innovative companies and young talents who contribute to the advancement of knowledge in Aragon. These awards highlight cutting-edge research projects, scientific outreach initiatives and technological developments with social impact, reinforcing the Tercer Milenio supplement's commitment to promoting science and innovation in the community.
More info: Read the new in Heraldo de Aragón
