Fred Hollows was an extraordinary man, “one of the most interesting people to have come out of the area of ophthalmology for many years, because he was a real disruptor”, said Nicola Watkinson, chair of the Fred Hollows Foundation UK, during an interview she gave us when she was in Lisbon, in September, to receive the 2025 António Champalimaud Vision Award.

With profound sadness at the passing of Professor Jorge Cruz, we pay tribute to our colleague and our friend. He will be remembered not only as a surgeon but also for his enduring legacy as a teacher, mentor, and guide. We extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends.

This year’s event carried an added significance, as it marked the 15th anniversary of the inauguration of the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, as well as the 385th year of Portugal’s Independence Restoration. These celebrations gave the day an even more symbolic and festive atmosphere, reinforcing the strong connection between the Foundation, the city of Lisbon, and Portugal's cultural heritage.

Even though he still contemplates the universe with awe – and confesses that one of his favourite podcasts is Sean Carroll’s Mindscape – his curiosity for systems engineering, robotics, and electronics unexpectedly steered him towards neuroscience. 

Juan Alvaro Gallego, an Associate Professor at Imperial College London, has very recently joined the Champalimaud Foundation’s new Centre for Restorative Neuroscience, is set to continue exploring how the brain controls movement, blending fundamental research with cutting-edge technologies.