Andrés Mosquera, awarded the Manuel Laborde Werlinden Master Thesis prize at the XXV edition

Jon Maiz Sancho, Andrés Mosquera and Alberto Álvarez Fernández.

The Hevea3D initiative and the master’s thesis Interphase Technologies have been awarded in the 25th edition of the Manuel Laborde Werlinden Prizes. Both projects stand out for their scientific solidity, technological orientation, and the ability of their teams to bring the idea to a real stage of maturity.

The Master’s Thesis Interphase Technologies was developed by Andrés Mosquera at the Materials Physics Center (CFM), within the Polymers and Soft Matter group, under the supervision of Jon Maiz Sancho and Alberto Álvarez Fernández. The project proposes a specialized service in surface and interface engineering aimed at optimizing functional polymeric materials for flexible and advanced electronics.

This category includes a financial award of 3,000 euros, along with support from BIC Gipuzkoa to further develop the initiative.

The Hevea3D initiative, winner of the Prize for the New Innovative Initiative, has been recognized for its progress in the fabrication of real elastomeric materials that can be printed using light. The project works with natural or synthetic latex in an aqueous medium, using light-mediated printing to produce elastic pieces with properties comparable to vulcanized rubber—without the need for molds. It was born from the joint work of a team with extensive scientific, technical, and industrial experience, in collaboration with POLYMAT and Arizona State University (ASU). The founding team is made up of Xabier López de Pariza, Jon Ayestarán, Ainara Tejero, and Timothy E. Long, with Professor Haritz Sardon as advisor. Their combination of scientific knowledge, industrial experience, and international vision brings unique value to the project.

The prize includes an award of 7,000 euros, together with support and mentoring from BIC Gipuzkoa to boost the development of the initiative.

Extraordinary Award

The Extraordinary Award for the 25th Anniversary, with a prize of 3,000 euros, was granted to ZuBizi, a project that connects scientific research and society through a One Health approach, addressing environment, health, and inequalities. Its innovative and transdisciplinary nature helps improve public health, reduce environmental inequalities, and promote citizen awareness, establishing itself as a benchmark in environmental health and citizen science.

It is supported by EHU and Biogipuzkoa and was presented by Amaia Irizar, professor at EHU and specialist in toxicology and epidemiology. The initiative is part of a multidisciplinary team that includes experts in epidemiology, toxicology, ecology, psychology, and science communication. It is led by environmental epidemiologist Aitana Lertxundi and psychologist Nerea Lertxundi, together with specialists in environmental analysis, public health, and scientific outreach.

Innovative projects within the university environment

In its 25th edition, a total of 14 applications were submitted: 10 in the category of “New Innovative Initiatives” and 4 in “Bachelor’s Thesis – Master’s Thesis – Doctoral Theses.” According to the Jury, “the quality of the submitted projects reaffirms EHU as a key actor within the Gipuzkoa and Basque innovation ecosystem, driving the development of high-value and innovative entrepreneurial initiatives.”

The participating projects are aligned with Gipuzkoa’s smart growth and specialization strategy, standing out in areas such as materials science and technology, artificial intelligence, digitalization, bio/health, and sustainability.

Awards ceremony

The awards ceremony took place yesterday at the auditorium of the Gipuzkoa School of Engineering of EHU, in Donostia. The event was attended by Eider Mendoza, Deputy General of Gipuzkoa; Juana Goizueta, Vice-Rector of the Gipuzkoa Campus of EHU; Ane Miren de Ariño, Director of Entrepreneurship and Internationalization of the Basque Government; and Marisa Arriola, Director of BIC Gipuzkoa, along with a large group of people from the entrepreneurial, academic, scientific, and business spheres. During their speeches, institutional representatives emphasized the importance of continuing to promote new ideas and projects to foster the transformation of Gipuzkoa’s business landscape.

During the event, a round table titled “25 years creating university spin-offs” was held, featuring Roberto López, CEO of Mas Innovación; Iliane Rafaniello, CEO of Surphase; and Eneko Aldaba, R&D Director and co-founder of Quimatryx. The session focused on analyzing the impact of the Program and the Awards on the creation and consolidation of university entrepreneurial projects.

To conclude the event, Iñigo Garmendia and Unai Barrutia, students of the Gipuzkoa School of Engineering (EHU) and Team Leaders over the past two years, participated by sharing insights about the electric motorcycle prototype developed in the MotoStudent project. Under the title “From Idea to Podium: MotoStudent and the Engineering of the Future,” they shared their experience in developing the initiative and explained how it could evolve into a potential business proposal.