JKU Researcher Receives the Alfafar Citizen's Award

Priv. Doz. Dr. Yolanda Salinas was presented with a very special award in Alfafar (Valencia, Spain).

Impressions from the ceremony for Yolanda Salinas; photo credit: personal

Yolanda Salinas' biography (titled "Anstrengungen+Beständigkeit=Erfolg") was presented in the Alfafar Town Hall's Assembly Hall on March 6 (Women's Day). Yolanda Salinas provided a first-hand account of her young, but lengthy, research career which has taken her around the world to various countries such as Spain, France, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, and ultimately to Austria. She earned her post-doc at the JKU's Institute for Polymer Chemistry in October 2021 in the field of polymers and materials chemistry.

All of the book's proceeds will go to Spanish cancer research organizations to fighting cancer. The mayor invited her to sign the honorary book at Valencia City Hall - "… it was a great honor for which I am very proud of and very grateful for," said the JKU researcher as she sat in the mayor's chair.

In April, the city also presented her with the 2024 Citizens' Award (endowed with approximately €3,000 in prize money), in recognition of her professional career and her role as a model for young people in STEM subject areas and scientific pursuits. The award - a statue created especially for the event - was designed by famous Spanish artist, San León. The ceremony took place in the large music hall where Salinas studied French horn and music. It was therefore only fitting to play two classical duets with former music colleagues during the ceremony. Her former lab colleagues at the Polytechnic University of Valencia, and her doctoral supervisor, Prof. Ramón Martínez Mañez, also took part in the prestigious celebration.

About the Biography
Yolanda Salinas recently published her own biography. Local author and distinguished retired professor, Vicente Sola Moya, was so impressed by his former student's life story and professional career that he decided to publish her story (which Yolanda Salinas also co-authored). The municipality of Alfafar supported the remarkable initiative in an effort to spark an interest in STEM subjects among the future generation, particularly women and girls, and encourage them to explore the fascinating world of science. The author commented that Yolanda's efforts, perseverance, and ability to overcome countless obstacles have resulted in realizing her academic dreams. He also went on to note that given her age, her future is certainly bright and promising.

The city mayor introduced the book, remarking that the book should also serve to reflect on our society's individualistic model and we should try to apply this model toward supporting the common good. He called on families and educators in particular to support gifted children and foster their talents.