Dr. Rafael Yuste received an honorary doctorate from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, or UNAM, for "his tireless pursuit of knowledge, his contribution to understanding the human brain, and his firm ethical commitment to defending neurorights."
Born and educated in Madrid, Dr. Yuste joined the Department of Biological Sciences at Columbia University in 1996. He has pioneered the use of optical methods, such as calcium imaging and two-photon microscopy, to study neural circuits, spearheaded the US BRAIN Initiative, and he has been a fierce advocate for "neurorights", working to ensure that emerging neurotechnologies "respect and preserve people’s privacy, identity, and agency" in "a future where neurotechnologies are leveraged for social good and safeguarded from misuse."
UNAM, which is located primarily in Mexico City, is one of Latin America's largest and most prestigious research universities. Founded in 1551, it is one of the oldest universities in the Americas and has played a key role in developing Mexico’s political, economic, intellectual and scientific leadership.
