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Cecilia Bouzat
Cecilia Bouzat.jpg
Bouzat in 2015
Born (1961-11-10) 10 November 1961 (age 63)
Bahía Blanca, Argentina
Alma mater Universidad Nacional del Sur
Known for Study of receptors called Cys-loop, neuronal nicotinic receptors
Awards L'Oréal-UNESCO Awards for Women in Science (2014)
Scientific career
Fields Neuroscience
Institutions Universidad Nacional del Sur
Mayo Clinic
California Institute of Technology
Thesis  (1961)

Cecilia Bouzat (born December 10, 1961) is a famous scientist from Argentina. She is a biochemist, which means she studies the chemistry of living things. Cecilia Bouzat focuses on understanding problems with the nervous system. In 2014, she won a big award called the L'Oréal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science for her amazing work. In 2015, the BBC named her one of their 100 Women around the world.

Cecilia Bouzat's Early Life and Education

Cecilia Bouzat was born on December 10, 1961, in Bahía Blanca, Argentina. Her parents and grandparents were doctors, so she grew up around science. She was the third of six children. Cecilia became interested in science very early in her school life.

Becoming a Scientist

When she was in her second or third year of college, Cecilia knew she wanted a career in science. She studied at the Universidad Nacional del Sur in Bahía Blanca, Argentina. There, she earned both a degree and a PhD in Biochemical Sciences. After finishing her studies, she went to the United States of America for more training. In 1994, she completed a special study called a postdoctorate at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

Understanding Brain Communication

Cecilia Bouzat's research helps us understand how our brain and muscle cells talk to each other. This communication is super important for everything we do. Her first studies looked at tiny parts of cells called Cys-loop receptors.

How Brain Cells Talk

These Cys-loop receptors are like tiny doors on cells. They help messages move very quickly between nerve cells, also known as neurons. This fast communication is how our brain sends signals to our body. Cecilia also studies how medicines or other substances can change how these cell doors work.

Receptors and Health

She also studies neuronal nicotinic receptors. When these receptors don't work right, they can be linked to problems with the nervous system. Her work helps scientists learn more about these issues.

Cecilia Bouzat's Career and Research

Today, Cecilia Bouzat is a very important researcher in Argentina. She is a main investigator for CONICET, which is like a national science council. She is also the deputy director of the Institute of Biochemical Research of White Bay (INIBIBB).

Teaching and Leading

She leads a biochemistry research center. She is also a professor of pharmacology at the Universidad Nacional del Sur in her hometown. Pharmacology is the study of how medicines affect the body. Cecilia is a key member of the National Council of Research of Argentina.

Awards and Recognition

Cecilia Bouzat has received many important awards for her scientific work. In 2005, she became a Guggenheim Fellow in Natural Sciences. This is a special award that helps scientists do more research.

L'Oréal-UNESCO Award

In 2014, she won the famous L'Oréal-UNESCO Awards for Women in Science. This award celebrates five women scientists from different parts of the world each year. Cecilia was the third Argentine woman to receive this honor. She was recognized as the Latin American winner.

Why She Won

The award recognized her important work in understanding how brain cells communicate. It also honored her role as a leading female scientist. After winning, she was congratulated by the Argentine Minister of Science, Lino Barañao. She also met the Argentine President, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Cecilia Bouzat para niños

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