Caterina Biscari awarded Catalonia's highest honor

Caterina Biscari, the Italian physicist and director of the ALBA Synchrotron, has been awarded the Medalla d'Or de la Generalitat, the highest distinction granted by the Government of Catalonia. Biscari is the first non-Spanish citizen to receive this honor, which has previously been awarded to figures such as Salvador Dalí and Joan Miró.

Since 2012, Biscari has led the ALBA Synchrotron in Cerdanyola del Vallès, a major scientific infrastructure used for atomic and molecular analysis. The award recognizes her role in strengthening the international projection of research conducted in Catalonia and her leadership as a reference for women in science.

Biscari will step down from her position this November, handing over leadership to Harry Westfahl Jr., who is tasked with transforming the facility into a fourth-generation synchrotron.