Anna Castells, a researcher at the Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI), has been awarded the L’Oréal-UNESCO “For Women in Science” prize alongside four other scientists during the 19th edition of Spain’s national awards, in a ceremony held at the Teatro Real in Madrid. The prize is part of an international program that for 25 years has been promoting female leadership in science. This year, five women researchers were recognized in Spain. The awards include five grants of €15,000 each to support young female scientific talent and leadership.
Castells, who grew up in Les Planes d’Hostoles and currently lives in Salt, is leading an emerging and high-potential research line at IDIBGI: the study of the gut-brain-microbiota axis and its role in mental health.
A career driven by scientific vocation
Castells holds degrees in Biology and Biochemistry and a master’s in Neuroscience. She discovered her passion for science as a child. After completing her studies at the University of Barcelona, she moved to the Netherlands to pursue her PhD at the Radboud University Medical Center, where she specialized in using fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) as a model for studying neurodevelopmental disorders.
In 2019, she joined IDIBGI’s Nutrition, Eumetabolism and Health research group, where she established the Drosophila laboratory. Her current research focuses on the mechanisms regulating host-microbiome interactions and their impact on behavior.
Innovative research on microbiota and depression
The project that earned this recognition is titled “Identification of new antidepressant agents through the gut-brain-microbiota axis.” It is based on the premise that intestinal microorganisms produce compounds that may directly influence the brain and contribute to disorders such as depression.
Castells and her team are investigating how these compounds—many still unknown—can modulate processes such as inflammation, neurotransmitter production, and the metabolism of key nutrients for mental health. Together with the Integrative Systems Medicine and Biology research group at IDIBGI, they combine experimental models like Drosophila with human sample analysis using advanced bioinformatics and artificial intelligence technologies.
In recent years, it has been discovered that the microorganisms living in our gut—collectively known as the gut microbiota—can influence mental health, playing a role in conditions such as depression and anxiety. In previous studies, Castells and her team have identified compounds produced by gut bacteria with strong antidepressant potential, as well as other microbial agents that could worsen these disorders.
“This project aims to better understand how some of these compounds act on the brain and how they can influence the development and progression of depression. For this, we use fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) as an experimental model and analyze human samples with advanced technologies, bioinformatic methods, and artificial intelligence,” explains Anna Castells.
The ultimate goal is to develop new treatments, such as prebiotics, probiotics, or postbiotics (molecules derived from microbial metabolism), that can help prevent or alleviate symptoms of depression.
Boosting an emerging scientific career
Castells says the award is “a true injection of joy” at a key stage in her career, as she begins to consolidate herself as a researcher. The financial support will help develop her research line and move toward greater professional independence within IDIBGI.
“Science, like any other field of knowledge, thrives on diversity. Women contribute not only talent and capacity but also different ways of thinking, tackling problems, and creating solutions. Our participation is key to making research more representative, more inclusive, and more useful for all of society. Science—and any professional field—cannot afford to waste half of the available talent,” she states.
About the L’Oréal-UNESCO “For Women in Science” program
Launched by the L’Oréal Foundation and UNESCO, this international program has recognized outstanding women in science since 1998. Over its 25-year history, it has awarded more than 4,100 scientists in over 110 countries, including prominent figures such as Margarita Salas, Ángela Nieto, and Nobel Laureates Katalin Karikó and Jennifer Doudna. In Spain, the national awards have been held for 19 editions, with five annual €15,000 fellowships.
This year, five researchers were recognized for innovative projects in fields such as oncology, nanomedicine, paleontology, and mental health. The ceremony featured the CEO of L’Oréal Spain and Portugal, Juan Alonso de Lomas, and the Spanish Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities, Diana Morant. In addition to Dr. Castells (IDIBGI), who was recognized for her research on the link between microbiota and depression, the other awardees were Alejandra González (IISA), Carolina Villarroya (CSIC), Isabel Abádanes (University of Valencia), and Marta Pina (ICP Miquel Crusafont), for studies focused on cancer, new therapeutic technologies, and human evolutionary origins.
About IDIBGI
The Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI) is a translational research center focused on improving health and patient care. IDIBGI is organized into 25 research groups across five scientific areas (Cardiovascular and Respiratory, Metabolism and Inflammation, Neurosciences, Oncohematology, and Mental Health), involving more than 400 professionals, including both internal staff and affiliated researchers.
IDIBGI is a publicly owned private foundation under the Government of Catalonia. Its board of trustees includes representatives from the Departments of Health and Research, the Catalan Institute of Health (ICS) Girona, the Institute of Health Care (IAS), the Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO) Girona, and the University of Girona. IDIBGI is part of the CERCA system (Research Centers of Catalonia).
Picture Credits: L'Oréal Foundation.
