September 18, 2025<\/p>\n
This morning, Miguel Hern\u00e1ndez 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 Jord\u00e1n Vidal, Professor of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry at the UMH.<\/p>\n
The event was presided over by the rector of the UMH, Juan Jos\u00e9 Ruiz; the rector of the Jaume I University of Castell\u00f3n, Eva Alc\u00f3n; the rector of the Catholic University of Valencia, Jos\u00e9 Manuel Pag\u00e1n; the rector of the European University of Valencia, Rosa Sanchidri\u00e1n; the rector of the International University of Valencia, Eva Giner; the Regional Secretary of Universities, Esther G\u00f3mez; and the Secretary General of the UMH, Mercedes S\u00e1nchez.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Likewise, the UMH has awarded end-of-service distinctions to staff who have ceased to serve the University due to retirement or death.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n INVITATION<\/a><\/p>\n CEREMONIAL OPENING 2025<\/a><\/p>\n CEREMONIAL OPENING\u00a0 2025<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n UMH CEREMONIAL<\/a><\/p>\n SCHEDULE<\/a><\/p>\n LAUDATION TO THE GODFATHER<\/a><\/p>\n HONORIS CAUSA SPEECH<\/a><\/p>\n RECTOR’S SPEECH<\/a><\/p>\n INTERVIEW WITH MARGARITA DEL VAL<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/comunicacion.umh.es\/files\/2025\/09\/18-09-25-apertura-curso-y-honoris-4-noticia-300x225.jpg\")
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