Researcher Francis Mojica Joins the Prestigious Academia Europaea

Researcher Francis Mojica has been elected as a member of the Academia Europaea, one of the continent's most prestigious scientific institutions. This honour acknowledges the microbiology professor's contribution to scientific knowledge advancement, particularly his pioneering role in discovering CRISPR sequences, which laid the groundwork for developing CRISPR-Cas9 genetic editing technology.

Mojica highlighted after the announcement that "it is fantastic that exceptional individuals believe one deserves to be part of this select group. Having the opportunity to interact and learn from eminent figures worldwide, not only in life sciences but also in humanities, technology, artificial intelligence, mathematics, law, economics, or medicine, is extraordinary," he added, "I feel truly privileged and very proud that the University of Alicante joins the list of affiliations of its members."

The Academia Europaea, founded in 1988, gathers leading scientists, researchers, and academics from diverse fields to promote excellence in research, learning, and education in Europe. Mojica joins this elite group of experts, becoming the only member from the University of Alicante to be part of this influential institution.

Francis Mojica is widely recognised as the discoverer of CRISPR sequences in microorganisms, a finding made in the late 1990s while researching the salt flats of Santa Pola. This discovery, initially aimed at studying microorganisms' adaptation to extreme conditions, laid the foundation for developing CRISPR-Cas9 genetic editing technology, a tool that has revolutionised fields such as biomedicine, agriculture, and biotechnology.

His scientific work has been acknowledged with numerous national and international awards and distinctions, and his inclusion in the Academia Europaea reinforces his position as one of today's most influential scientists.

The election as a member of the Academy took place in Wroclaw, Poland, during the Life Sciences Class session of the Academy, where Mojica shared this recognition with prominent academics from across Europe, such as CSIC research professor at the Molecular Biology Centre, Luis Blanco Davila. This recognition consolidates his role as a scientific reference and ambassador of the University of Alicante on the international stage.