Cuban researcher receives international recognition

HAVANA, Cuba, Sep 8 (ACN) Mayra Guadalupe Rodriguez Hernandez, a distinguished scientist at the National Center for Agricultural Health (CENSA by its Spanish acronym), received the Honorary Membership Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Organization of Nematologists of Tropical America (ONTA) during its annual meeting held from September 1 to 5 in Cali, Colombia.

Radio Mayabeque reported that the PhD in Science, with a fruitful career as a researcher, presented the conference "BIONEMC (Heterorhabditis amazonensis STRAIN HC1): Historical Development and Updated Research in Cuba)," a project authored by CENSA specialists, according to the institution.
CENSA, based in San Jose de las Lajas, announced the award as recognition of her work in nematology applied to agriculture in Cuba and the Caribbean.

Founded in 1969, the center's motto is "Contributing to preserving and improving animal, plant, and human health" and boasts a high-caliber professional staff, 60% of whom hold PhDs in Science.

Internationally prestigious products such as Surfacen, a World Intellectual Property Organization Gold Medal winner, used for the treatment of Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome, and Stabilak, a natural milk preservative, were developed at this cutting-edge institution, which also holds 14 international awards, two CITMA Awards, three for technological innovation, 39 provincial awards, four from the Ministry of Higher Education, and 18 from the Cuban Academy of Sciences.

ONTA held its meeting under the motto "Nematology without Borders: Integrating Science and Innovation for the Agriculture of the Future," with the participation of researchers, students, and representatives of the agricultural sector from several countries, including the United States, Mexico, Ecuador, Chile, and Peru, according to the organizers.
The organization, founded in 1967, has more than 400 members and publishes the scientific journal Nematropica and the ONTA Newsletter, in addition to coordinating annual meetings to exchange results and experiences, according to the source.