María Martinón-Torres, Director of the Centro Nacional de Investigación sobre la Evolución Humana (CENIEH), was recognized today with the “Ambassador of Burgos” distinction for her scientific work and her international promotion of the city, during the official Ciudad de Burgos Awards ceremony held at Fórum Evolución.

This award, granted by the Burgos City Council, honors individuals, companies, or institutions that, throughout their careers or during the year 2024, have made an exemplary contribution to projecting a positive image of the city both nationally and internationally.

María Martinón-Torres received this recognition—presented to her by Mayor Cristina Ayala—for her outstanding scientific career in the field of human evolution, as well as her strong commitment to science outreach. Under her leadership, the CENIEH has established Burgos as an international benchmark for research and science, closely linked to the city’s paleontological and cultural heritage.

Her work has also gone beyond the academic sphere, making her a regular presence in the media, scientific forums, and educational initiatives, where she has proudly placed Burgos on the map as a city of knowledge, culture, and science. Her continuous engagement with society and her outreach efforts have further strengthened the connection between the public and the city’s scientific prestige.

The Ambassador of Burgos 2024 distinction is part of the 13th edition of the Ciudad de Burgos Awards, which recognize excellence in fields such as culture, sports, innovation, social development, and sustainability. The award guidelines can be found on the official website of the Burgos City Council.

During the ceremony, the valuable contributions of all awardees to the city's growth and its projection as a hub of dynamism, culture, and excellence were highlighted. In her acceptance speech, the director of the CENIEH emphasized “how easy it is to represent a city like Burgos, the European capital of human evolution.”