MEXICO CITY, October 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Sixth annual Scopus award recognizes nine individuals representing research, academia and government for their leadership in driving science, technology and innovation in Mexico.

Elsevier, a world-leading provider of scientific, technical, and medical information products and services, in conjunction with the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACyT) today announced the winners of the 2012 Scopus Elsevier-CONACyT Awards.

Seven researchers from Mexican institutions and two distinguished individuals from government and academia were recognized for their significant contributions to science at an award ceremony at the Soumaya museum in Polanco, Mexico City. The event was attended by nearly 200 executives representing leading universities, research centers and organizations, state Science & Technology (S&T) councils, legislators and other branches of the federal government related to S&T policy.

The 2012 winners were selected from CONACyT's Researchers National System (SNI: Sistema Internacional de Investigadores) database of more than 20,000 researchers. Using Scopus, selection criteria were based on the number of citations (eliminating auto citations) in seven subject areas, the number of documents published, the H index and individual research discipline. The two merit awards were given to leaders from the government, academia and corporate sectors who have demonstrated their commitment and drive to advancing science in Mexico.  

The 2012 Scopus Elsevier-CONACyT Award winners are:

• Dr.José Miguel Yacaman, Innovation Research and Development Center in Engineering and Technology of the Autonomous University of Nuevo León - for research in the field of Physics, Mathematics and Geosciences.
• Dr.Trevor William, Systematic Division of the Institute of Ecology -- for contributions to the fields of Chemistry and Biology.
• Dr.Guillermo Torre Amione, Monterrey Campus of the Technological Institute of Monterrey (Tec de Monterrey) - for research in the fields of Medicine and Sciences.
• Dr.María Elena Teresa Medina-Mora Icaza, National Institute of Psychiatry "Ramon de la Fuente" - for research in Humanities and Behavioral Sciences.
• Dr.Ignacio Norberto Lobato García-Miján, Academic Division of Economics, Law and Social Sciences of the Autonomous Institute of Mexico - for studies in Social Sciences.
• Dr.Alfredo Martínez Jiménez, Institute of Biotechnology at the National Autonomous University of Mexico - for research in farming and biotechnology.
• Dr.Carlos Artemio Coello Coello, Department of Computer Science at the Research and Advanced Studies Center of the National Polytechnic Institute -- for contributions to the field of Engineering.

Special Recognition for extraordinary actions that have enhanced the country's advancement of science, technology and research were awarded to:    

• Mónica Aspe, MA, PolSci, Coordinator of the Information and Knowledge Society of the Ministry of Communications and Transportation. She received the 2012 special prize: for her significant actions in Information and Knowledge Technology in Mexico, while also closing the digital gap through the promotion of new technologies.

• Dr.José Narro Robles, Dean of the National Autonomous University of Mexico. He received the 2012 special prize for his outstanding academic background and vital role in the UNAM, which has won him significant national and international awards, becoming a role model for future generations in Mexico and abroad.

"The Scopus Elsevier-CONACyT Award has become a major annual award given to members of the scientific community for the quality and relevance of their research, and its potential to further the cause of science worldwide through international publications and bibliographic quotes," said Dr. Miriam Leticia Torres, Deputy Director for Scientific Development and personal representative of Dr. Enrique Villa Rivera, General Director of CONACyT.  "Our goal is to stimulate and promote the development of knowledge as well as to strengthen Mexico's scientific, technological and innovative capacities."

"Science research is fundamental to the continued growth of a modern society," said Mr. Phile Govaert, Elsevier Director for Northern Europe and Latin America. "Recognition of these respected scientists and leaders acknowledges their contributions to their field. We thank the National Council for Science and Technology for making it possible to support this collaboration for the 2012 Scopus Elsevier-CONACyT Award promoting research and development in Mexico."

About CONACyT

The National Council on Science and Technology (CONACyT) was created by the H. Congreso de la Unión on December 29th 1970, as a public and decentralized organism of the Public Federal Administration, member of the education sector, with its own legal definition and financial endowment. It is responsible for the elaboration of science and technology policies in Mexico. Since its creation and until 1999, two reforms and one law to coordinate and promote scientific and technologic development were presented, and on June 5th 2002 the new Science and Technology Law was promulgated.  Its goal is to consolidate a National System of Science and Technology that responds to the country's priority demands, gives solutions to specific problems and needs, and contributes to raising the standard of living and the social welfare state. CONACyT collaborates with other Federal Government agencies and entities, as well as with the private sector, in order to increase Mexico's participation in the generation, acquisition and communication of knowledge, and to considerably increase society's scientific and technologic culture.

About Scopus

Covering the world's research literature, Scopus is the largest abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature. Featuring smart tools to track, analyze and visualize research, Scopus was designed and developed with input from over 500 users and librarians internationally. Its unique database contains abstracts and references from nearly 19,500 peer-reviewed journals from more than 5,000 publishers worldwide, ensuring broad interdisciplinary coverage. In addition, Scopus not only offers users citation information about the articles covered, but also directly integrates Web and patent searches. Direct links to subscribed full-text articles, library resources and other applications like reference management software, make Scopus quicker, easier and more comprehensive to use than any other literature research tool.

About Elsevier    
Elsevier is a world-leading provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and services. The company works in partnership with the global science and health communities to publish more than 2,000 journals, including The Lancet and Cell, and close to 20,000 book titles, including major reference works from Mosby and Saunders. Elsevier's online solutions include ScienceDirect, Scopus, Reaxys, ClinicalKey and Mosby's Nursing Suite, which enhance the productivity of science and health professionals, and the SciVal suite and MEDai's Pinpoint Review, which help research and health care institutions deliver better outcomes more cost-effectively.    

A global business headquartered in Amsterdam, Elsevier employs 7,000 people worldwide. The company is part of Reed Elsevier Group PLC, a world-leading publisher and information provider, which is jointly owned by Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV. The ticker symbols are REN (Euronext Amsterdam), REL (London Stock Exchange), RUK and ENL (New York Stock Exchange).

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SOURCE Elsevier