06 May 2021
For the first time, two Portuguese are advising North American journal Science: one of the most prestigious scientific magazines in the world.
Henrique Veiga-Fernandes, Immunologist, Principal Investigator and one of the Directors of Champalimaud Research; and Ana Paula Pêgo, group leader at i3S - Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, now join an elite group of world-renowned scientists on the Science Review Editors Council.
Both scientists will be the magazine's ambassadors, also advising on decisions regarding scientific articles for publication. It will also be up to the Portuguese researchers to identify new scientific discoveries that deserve to be highlighted in Science through perspective or review articles.
Acting as an advisor in his area of expertise, Veiga-Fernandes is the most recent ambassador of Science magazine in the areas of Immunology and Neuroimmunology, rapidly growing fields of research in which the Portuguese researcher has been carrying out pioneering work with great worldwide projection over the past few years. With researchers from different scientific domains, nationalities and affiliations, this is the first time that a Portuguese has occupied such a position.
“We have been witnessing an exponential increase in cases of cancer, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases. These diseases of modern civilization are a huge Public Health challenge, but I believe that Science will be the key to solving and mitigating these problems ”, says Veiga-Fernandes. “Interdisciplinary and front-line science is at the cutting edge of these themes, and the area of Immunology has made very important contributions to the understanding and resolution of these diseases. It is, therefore, a great pride to be able to join the Scientific Council of Science and thus highlight transformative discoveries, contributing to the advancement of knowledge about these diseases and to an inclusive and global scientific culture ”.
Science is one of the most prestigious and influential scientific magazines in the world. It was created in 1880 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and stands out for the publication of transformative scientific studies in all areas of knowledge. The publication of articles in Science is limited to the most important contributions and scientific studies, with less than 7% of papers submitted being accepted for publication after intense scrutiny.
A researcher at the Champalimaud Foundation since 2016, Veiga-Fernandes is one of the most awarded Portuguese scientists. Amongst other highlights, he has been distinguished with four grants from the prestigious European Research Council (ERC). He has won the Pfizer awards three times, also being the first Portuguese to be distinguished by the Paul Allen Foundation and the Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative, in the United States. Henrique Veiga-Fernandes has a degree in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Lisbon, a doctorate in Immunology in the city of Paris, later working in London. He is now a member of the Science Review Editors Council.
