Carlos Simon (gynaecologist) facts for kids
Carlos Simón Vallés was born in Buñol, Valencia, Spain, in 1961. He is a Spanish doctor and researcher who specializes in helping women with pregnancy and childbirth. He is a professor at the University of Valencia and also teaches at Harvard University. He is known around the world for his work in helping couples have babies through assisted reproduction.
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His Journey and Work
Carlos Simón Vallés studied Medicine and Surgery at the University of Valencia, finishing with top honors in 1985. He then continued his studies and earned his doctorate in 1986. His early research focused on how to diagnose problems in the early stages of pregnancy.
After becoming a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology, he worked at a major hospital in Valencia. He then moved to Stanford University in California, USA, for advanced research in reproductive health. This training helped him focus his career on medical research related to reproduction and regenerative medicine. He also teaches at Stanford University and Baylor College of Medicine in Texas.
Carlos Simón Vallés was a pioneer in Spain for his work with stem cells. These are special cells that can develop into many different types of cells in the body. He led a national stem cell research center in Valencia. He has also been a visiting professor at famous universities like Stanford, Yale, Hong Kong, and Adelaide.
He has invented fifteen new medical technologies, which led to the creation of a company called Igenomix S.L. This company has laboratories in many cities around the world, including Valencia, Sao Paulo, and Los Angeles. He also started the Carlos Simón Foundation, which supports research in women's health. He has four children.
Awards and Recognitions
Carlos Simón Vallés has received several important awards for his groundbreaking work:
- King Jaime I Award for Medical Research (2011): He won this for his important study on why some women have trouble getting pregnant.
- Favorite Son of Buñol (2011): This is a special honor from his hometown.
- Distinguished Researcher Award (2016): This award recognized his long career and new discoveries in reproductive medicine.
- Lilly Foundation Biomedical Research Award (2021): He received this for his pioneering studies on the human uterus and how it works.
Important Groups and Roles
Carlos Simón Vallés is part of many important medical and scientific groups:
- He is a member of the Royal Academy of Medicine of the Valencian Community.
- He advises the World Health Organization (WHO) on human reproduction.
- He represents Spain in the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR).
His Scientific Discoveries
Since 1991, Carlos Simón Vallés has helped many couples who have difficulty having children. About 10% of couples worldwide face this challenge.
He has done important research on how the uterus prepares for pregnancy. He found a way to understand if a woman's uterus is ready for an embryo to attach. This led to a special test called the "endometrial receptivity array" (ERA), which helps doctors diagnose and treat infertility. He also created a free online database about the uterus, managed by the University of Valencia.
He also discovered special stem cells in the uterus that can help rebuild the uterine lining.
Since 2001, his work in human embryology has led to major advances in stem cell research. He was the first to create human embryonic stem cell lines in Spain. These cell lines are important tools for scientists to study diseases and develop new treatments.
See also
In Spanish: Carlos Simón para niños
