Artūras Makselis, winner of the CNIC Prize at EUCYS, undertakes a research placement at the CNIC
The young Lithuanian researcher was recognised for a project on new molecular targets for the antiviral treatment of intestinal infections
Artūras Makselis, winner of the CNIC Prize at the 2025 European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS), is undertaking a training placement this summer at the Carlos III National Centre for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC), where he has had the opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the research being carried out at the centre.
The CNIC Prize consists of a research placement at the CNIC, during which Artūras has been mentored by Dr María Ángeles Moro and has had the opportunity to work with her team at the Neurovascular Physiopathology Laboratory, as well as to get to know other research groups and technical units at the centre.
Artūras is studying Molecular Biology and Chemistry at Vilnius University in Lithuania. The combination of these two disciplines provides him with a multidisciplinary background that enables him to approach the study of biological processes from a molecular perspective, integrating various chemical, physical and biological techniques. His interest in the life sciences, and in virology in particular, grew during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Since then, he has carried out independent projects in the fields of molecular biology, microbiology and virology, and has taken part in national and international biology Olympiads and various scientific competitions.
He is currently conducting research at Vilnius University, focusing on the molecular mechanisms that regulate macrophage activation during viral infections. His aim is to help identify new signalling pathways that will lead to a better understanding of the complexity of viral pathogenesis.
His time at the CNIC has enabled him to broaden his practical training, familiarise himself with new scientific methodologies and share experiences with researchers from other disciplines, such as David Sancho, Iván Ballesteros and Gillian Dunphy, with whom he was able to exchange ideas on shared scientific interests. He has also had the opportunity to take part in a mentoring session with Dr Valentín Fuster, Director General of the CNIC.
The CNIC Prize
Every year, the European Union Contest for Young Scientists brings together young people aged between 14 and 20 whose projects have been selected in their respective countries to be presented to an international jury. The competition, established in 1989 by the European Commission, promotes cooperation and the exchange of knowledge amongst young researchers and serves as a showcase for some of the most outstanding scientific projects developed by students from Europe and other countries.
The CNIC established the CNIC Prize at the 2022 edition of EUCYS. The award is presented to the author of a project related to the centre’s areas of research and offers the opportunity to undertake a training placement at the CNIC. Dr María Ángeles Moro is a member of the committee responsible for selecting the winning projects and mentors the young scientists during their time at the centre.
Through this initiative, the CNIC reinforces its commitment to fostering scientific careers and training new generations of researchers.
