Cecilia Bouzat
Cecilia Bouzat | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 10, 1961 Bahía Blanca, Argentina |
| Occupation(s) | Biochemist, researcher, professor |
| Known for | Research on neurological conditions and Cys-loop receptors |
Cecilia Bouzat (born 10 December 1961) is an Argentine biochemist with expertise in neurological conditions. In 2014, she was honored as the Latin American Laureate of the L'Oréal-UNESCO Awards for Women in Science and was included in the BBC's 100 Women list in 2015.
Early life and education
Hailing from Bahía Blanca, Argentina, Bouzat was inspired by her family's medical background. She completed both her undergraduate degree and doctorate in Biochemical Sciences at Universidad Nacional del Sur in Buenos Aires. In 1994, she undertook postdoctoral training at the Mayo Clinic located in Rochester, Minnesota.
Research focus
Bouzat’s research investigates communication within the nervous system, focusing especially on the interaction between brain and muscle cells mediated by Cys-loop receptors. Her work examines how these receptors enable swift neuronal signaling and how pharmacological agents influence membrane proteins within the nervous system. Changes to neuronal nicotinic receptors have been associated with various neurological ailments, including neurodegenerative disorders.
Career
Currently, Bouzat holds the position of principal investigator at CONICET and serves as deputy director of the Institute of Biochemical Research of White Bay (INIBIBB) in Argentina. She directs the biochemistry research center and is an assistant professor specializing in pharmacology at the Universidad Nacional del Sur in Bahía Blanca. Moreover, she is a Research Member of Argentina’s National Council of Research.
Honors and awards
In 2005, Bouzat was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in the Natural Sciences category. Two years later, she received a research grant from the institution responsible for the L'Oréal-UNESCO Awards for Women in Science. Her 2014 recognition by L'Oréal-UNESCO celebrated her as a prominent female scientist from Latin America for her contributions to understanding communication between brain cells and muscles. She became the third scientist from Argentina to achieve this distinction. Afterward, she was officially acknowledged by Argentine Science Minister Lino Barañao and President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.