Dr. Francisco José Ayala

On 29 October, the Main Lecture Hall of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) hosted the investiture ceremony naming Francisco José Ayala (one of the foremost experts in evolution) doctor honoris causa. The event was chaired by Iñaki Goirizelaia, Rector of the UPV/EHU and Isabel Celaá, Minister of Education, Universities and Research of the Basque Government.

«It is an honour to include Francisco Ayala among our scholars since he is one of the key scientists of our time», said Iñaki Goirizelaia, Rector of the UPV/EHU.

Francisco J. Ayala (Madrid 1934) revolutionised the theory of evolution being a pioneer in the application of molecular biology to the research of evolutionary processes. He is especially known for his studies on the molecular clock, a technique to date the divergence of two species, determining the lapse of time passed from the number of differences between to DNA sequences.

He also discovered the reproduction mechanism of the pathogen of Chagas disease, opening the way for the development of an effective cure for this disease, endemic to South America and affecting 16 to 18 million people. He has also made key findings on the origin of malaria in monkeys.

Among his many distinctions, he is University Professor of the University of California, the highest degree awarded by the American University; he was Science Advisor for President Clinton from 1994 to 2001 and he was granted the National Medal of Science in 2001. Last March, he was awarded the Templeton, the annual scientific award with the highest economic prize, worth over a million euros.

He was the former president of the most relevant scientific association: the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He has been fighting Creationism for over 30 years, warning on the harm it does to both Science and Religion to mix the two. In this respect, he authored popular books such as Darwin and intelligent design, denouncing Creationism.

During his stay in the Basque Country he highlighted that Spain invests «very little» in R&D, and consequently it cannot offer job opportunities for scientists who are have no choice but to emigrate. Thus, after the «financial sacrifice», no matter how small it may be, of educating them for over 20 years ultimately other countries «benefit» from their work, he stated.