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Celebrating Excellence: 4th SRAP-frA Early-Career Researcher Award 2025
Recognising the next generation of Spanish research talent
The Spanish Researchers in Australia-Pacific (SRAP) network is delighted to announce the winner and finalists of the 4th SRAP-frA Early-Career Researcher Award 2025, proudly sponsored by the Ramón Areces Foundation (frA).
Since its inception, SRAP has been dedicated to supporting the professional development of Spanish researchers in the Australia-Pacific region, fostering collaboration across disciplines, and strengthening scientific and cultural ties between Spain and Australia. The SRAP-frA Award recognises the outstanding research trajectories and societal impact of early-career SRAP members who exemplify excellence, innovation, and international engagement.
This year, seven exceptional candidates competed for the award. After a rigorous selection process, three finalists were invited to present their research careers and project proposals during the award ceremony. Their diverse fields—spanning law, environmental science, and molecular biology—beautifully illustrate the richness of Spanish talent contributing to research and innovation across the region.
🏆 Winner: Ms Inmaculada Conde
Ms Inmaculada Conde, winner of the 4th SRAP-frA Early-Career Researcher Award 2025, has built an exceptional career at the intersection of international law, technology, and global governance.
Her doctoral research at the University of Sydney addresses one of the most pressing challenges in international trade law: ensuring the consistent interpretation of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) across jurisdictions. By enhancing predictability and reducing legal uncertainty, her work strengthens the framework for fair and efficient global commerce.
Beyond academia, Inma serves as a Lawyer at the Office of International Law, Attorney-General’s Department (Australia), where she contributes to complex investor–State arbitration cases. Her expertise has been recognised by global institutions such as UNCITRAL, Oxford University, and UNIDROIT, and she has held research positions at Oxford, Harvard, and Rome.
Inma’s research uniquely bridges law, history, and artificial intelligence, shaping the future of international commercial relations. Her remarkable academic achievements, leadership in international collaboration, and commitment to strengthening the Spain–Australia research nexus make her a truly deserving recipient of this year’s award.
🌏 Finalist: Dr Arola Moreras Martí
Dr Arola Moreras Martí is a biogeochemist whose research explores how microbial processes regulate global biogeochemical fluxes, particularly carbon and sulfur cycling in extreme environments. From her PhD at the University of St Andrews to her current role as Lecturer in Earth Sciences at Auckland University of Technology, Arola has emerged as a scientific leader in her field.
She pioneered the use of quadruple sulfur isotopes to differentiate abiotic from biotic processes—a breakthrough with major implications for life detection on Mars and icy moons. Her innovative work has earned her distinctions such as the 2022 Geochemistry Group Postdoctoral Research Medal, and has fostered collaborations with NASA Goddard, the University of Glasgow, and international research consortia across Europe and Oceania.
As Principal Investigator and Marsden Fast-Start finalist, Arola’s research continues to illuminate how natural carbon sinks and microbial communities influence climate regulation. Her engagement with SRAP and plans to organise interdisciplinary workshops on climate and carbon sinks demonstrate her commitment to connecting science, policy, and society throughout the Pacific.
🧬 Finalist: Dr Miguel Ángel Berrocal Rubio
Dr Miguel Ángel Berrocal Rubio, a molecular biologist, investigates how genes and their products regulate cell differentiation and tissue development, with far-reaching implications for human health and disease.
From early research in neuronal development at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and KU Leuven, to his PhD at The University of Melbourne, Miguel has combined multi-omic and single-cell approaches to map the molecular complexity of human development. His discoveries—including hundreds of novel genes and thousands of uncharacterised gene products—have reshaped our understanding of tissue homeostasis and regeneration.
Currently a Research Officer at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Miguel explores how the BCG vaccine can enhance immunity against diverse diseases, contributing to the advancement of precision medicine and personalised therapies. His trajectory represents the new generation of Spanish researchers making a global impact from Australia—combining technical excellence, innovation, and a vision for improving human health.
🎓 Award Decision
After careful deliberation, the SRAP-frA Award Committee, chaired by Dr Marcos Roca-Cusachs, decided to grant the 4th SRAP-frA Early-Career Researcher Award 2025 to Ms Inmaculada Conde, recognising her outstanding research trajectory, societal impact through international law, and active engagement with SRAP.
SRAP warmly congratulates Ms Conde, as well as Dr Moreras Martí and Dr Berrocal Rubio, for their remarkable achievements and dedication to scientific excellence. Their work exemplifies the mission of SRAP—to promote collaboration, innovation, and the global presence of Spanish research talent
