- Banco Santander Foundation, sponsor of the SRUK/CERU Emerging Talent Award for ten editions, has announced the winner of its 10th anniversary: Dr Francisco Jesús Lizana Moral, from the University of Oxford.
- The award recognises the outstanding contributions to energy efficiency and the decarbonisation of buildings, one of the greatest challenges in tackling climate change.
- The Society of Spanish Researchers in the United Kingdom (SRUK/CERU) and Banco Santander Foundation thus continue their shared mission to support young Spanish researchers with exceptional careers in the UK and to foster collaboration between both countries.
London, 10 October 2025. SRUK/CERU Scientific Committee, chaired by Professor Sonia Antoranz Contera (University of Oxford), assessed fourteen high-calibre applications. According to Professor Antoranz, “the jury was very impressed by the quality of all the applications received in this tenth edition of the Emerging Talent Award, which illustrates the significant contributions of Spanish researchers in the United Kingdom.”
Dr Lizana Moral leads the Zero-Carbon Space Heating and Cooling programme at Oxford’s ZERO Institute, where he integrates material science, engineering, and climate policy analysis. His research includes the development of materials for thermal energy storage, smart energy flexibility solutions, and indoor air quality analysis, with major implications for public health and sustainability.
In addition to his academic leadership —recognised by nacional and internacional engineering awards— he stands out for his science communication and collaboration with organisations such as the United Nations Environment Programme, the UK’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and several international professional bodies.
Dr Lizana plans to use this award to strengthen Spain-UK collaboration, enhance science communication, and support the training of young researchers.
Regarding this recognition, Jesús Lizana stated: “I feel deeply honoured and grateful for this recognition, which I consider a privilege given the quality and commitment of the Spanish scientific community in the United Kingdom. It is a source of pride to be part of it, and I hope to continue contributing to strengthening its links and international visibility.”
Borja Baselga, Director of Banco Santander Foundation, noted: “We are pleased to collaborate once again on this initiative, which helps to strengthen scientific collaborations between the United Kingdom and the European Union, promotes the development of policies that support R&D&I, and gives visibility to the research carried out by Spanish scientists in the UK, both within the scientific community and among the general public. This tenth edition of the SRUK/CERU Emerging Talent Award reinforces the commitment of SRUK/CERU and Banco Santander Foundation to continue forging connections between Spain and the UK, while funding and supporting the innovative projects that outstanding Spanish researchers are developing in the United Kingdom.”
Finally, Carlos Soler Montes, President of SRUK/CERU, indicated that: “For SRUK/CERU, it is a privilege to have Dr Jesús Lizana among our list of awardees. Jesús Lizana perfectly embodies the values of this award. We are especially pleased to see how his interdisciplinary profile — combining extensive training as an architect and engineer at the University of Seville — and his international career underpin many of the achievements for which he receives this important recognition.”
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