The Director General of Culture of the Government of La Rioja, Roberto Iturriaga, along with the Director of the History and Popular Culture Department, Sergio Cañas, presided over the ceremony of the prestigious Research Awards of the Instituto de Estudios Riojanos (IER), held on August 2nd for its 2024 edition. On this occasion, biotechnologist Ignacio Vicente Díez, a researcher at the Instituto de Ciencias de la Vid y del Vino (ICVV) in the In-Vid research group, was awarded in the young researcher category (up to 35 years old) for his doctoral thesis titled ‘Development of Biotools for the Control of Pests and Diseases Associated with Vineyards Based on Symbiotic Bacteria of Entomopathogenic Nematodes.’ Similarly, historian David Mota Zurdo was recognized as the best senior researcher, a testament to his significant contribution to the field, for his historiographical monograph titled ‘Vecinos,’ a study on terrorism in La Rioja.
The IER awards, granted annually since 2018, recognize and promote research and the dissemination of Riojan culture. They represent the highest recognition for dedication and continuous work in this field. With this distinction, the IER aims to encourage research on local topics through various lines of study and highlight outstanding research projects.
The award given to Ignacio Vicente acknowledges his remarkable work during his doctoral thesis in the Enology, Viticulture, and Sustainability program at the University of La Rioja (UR). His research, which focuses on developing sustainable alternatives for managing vine pests and diseases by using bacteria from the genera Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus, has the potential to revolutionize agricultural practices. His work not only seeks to promote more sustainable agricultural practices in La Rioja but also positions the region and the ICVV as leaders in innovation and applied biotechnological research in viticulture.
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