Researcher Diego Gutiérrez Pérez, from the Aragón Engineering Research Institute (I3A) at the University of Zaragoza, has been awarded the 2025 National Research Prize by the Spanish Computer Science Society and the BBVA Foundation.
This award recognises his contributions in the field of computer graphics, virtual reality and computational imaging, which have been recognised internationally on other occasions. In addition to his excellence in research, he is noted for his commitment to technology transfer, to which he has contributed significantly. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with the most prestigious companies and institutions in his field worldwide, which has boosted the international reputation and visibility of research in Spain.
Diego Gutiérrez is a professor of Computer Languages and Systems at the University of Zaragoza and a writer of young adult novels. He is the founder and director of the Graphics and Imaging Lab research group (GILab). With his team, he conducts relevant research in the areas of physics-based imaging, computational imaging, virtual reality, and applied perception. He always says that his achievements have a lot to do with his team, because in science, ‘no one does anything worthwhile working alone anymore,’ and he expresses his gratitude for the award and ‘for being able to work where I work and with whom I work.’
One of the greatest challenges he has tackled in this field is the acquisition of images outside the line of sight, for example, scenes hidden behind a corner or invisible due to the presence of smoke or fog. ‘The applications of these advances,’ says Diego Gutiérrez, ‘cover a wide range of fields, such as medical imaging, autonomous driving, robotics, rescue planning and even remote inspection of lunar caves.’
The award, granted by the BBVA Foundation and the Spanish Computer Science Society, will be presented in Madrid on 22 October. This award is one of many others received by this Aragonese researcher, both nationally and in Europe. The latest of these, the Award for Research in Computer Engineering, granted by the Professional Association of Technical Engineers in Computer Science of Aragon, was received last June. In his speech, he emphasised that research ‘is observing the world, asking many questions. Research is remaining curious. And this is our great challenge today.’
This is a challenge he faces every day alongside his research group, conducting research without borders and advocating for the need to popularise science and dare to tackle difficult problems. He makes a plea for ‘a clear and decisive commitment to research, where its timelines are respected and short-term returns on investment are not demanded’.
Diego Gutiérrez also participates in numerous outreach activities and is the author of two adventure and mystery books for audiences of all ages, ‘La mansión del acantilado’ (The Cliff Mansion) and ‘La última mentira de Zaccharias Wylde’ (Zaccharias Wylde's Last Lie), both published by Los libros del gato negro.
Further information on the Research awards. SCIE –Fundación BBVA.
