Unidad de Protocolo » Solemn opening of the 2025-2026 academic year and investiture of Margarita del Val as a Doctor Honoris Causa

Solemn opening of the 2025-2026 academic year and investiture of Margarita del Val as a Doctor Honoris Causa

Academic Events, Opening ceremonies, Honoris Causa

30 September 2025

Virologist Margarita del Val, new Doctor Honoris Causa

September 18, 2025

This morning, Miguel Hernández University (UMH) awarded Margarita del Val Latorre, a virologist and immunologist from the Spanish National Research Council, an Honorary Doctorate during the official opening ceremony of the 2025/26 academic year, held in the Assembly Hall of the Rectorate and Social Council building on the Elche campus. The sponsor of the new Honorary Doctorate is Manuel Jordán Vidal, Professor of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry at the UMH.

The event was presided over by the rector of the UMH, Juan José Ruiz; the rector of the Jaume I University of Castellón, Eva Alcón; the rector of the Catholic University of Valencia, José Manuel Pagán; the rector of the European University of Valencia, Rosa Sanchidrián; the rector of the International University of Valencia, Eva Giner; the Regional Secretary of Universities, Esther Gómez; and the Secretary General of the UMH, Mercedes Sánchez.

Prior to the ceremony, virologist Margarita del Val inaugurated a specimen of the Queensland Bottle Tree in the Honorary Conferees’ Garden on the UMH Elche campus, which the University planted in her honor. The Honorary Conferees’ Garden is located near the Rector’s Office and Social Council building and its objective is to preserve and offer recognition to the various Honorary Conferees invested by the UMH. This initiative began several years ago, and in it, each Honorary Conferee chooses a specimen, which is planted next to their informational posters bearing the Honorary Conferees’ name, as well as the common and specific names of the specimen, accompanied by a QR code with more information about the planted tree.

Likewise, the UMH has awarded end-of-service distinctions to staff who have ceased to serve the University due to retirement or death.

Margarita del Val’s research focuses on the study of the immune response to viral infections and immune memory. Her research on viral evasion of the immune response included fundamental work on cytomegalovirus. She also described the first single-epitope vaccine for T cells, identifying cellular immunity as protective against infections.

Since March 2020, Del Val has coordinated more than 140 research groups within the CSIC’s Interdisciplinary Platform for Global Health, addressing the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic and future challenges from all areas of research. He represented Spain at the European Medicines Agency, is a member of the Royal National Academy of Pharmacy, the CSIC Governing Council, and the Expert Advisory Committee on Vaccines of the Community of Madrid.