Miguel Rodríguez, infectious disease specialist at Valme, receives the 2026 Young Researchers Award
The specialist in Infectious Diseases at the Hospital Universitario de Valme Miguel Rodríguez Fernández has received the 2026 Young Researchers Award from the Colegio Oficial de Médicos de Sevilla, which recognizes his scientific career in complex infections.
Redacción ·
The infectious disease specialist at the Hospital Universitario de Valme Miguel Rodríguez Fernández has received the 2026 Young Researchers Award from the Real e Ilustre Colegio Oficial de Médicos de Sevilla (RICOMS). The award recognizes his scientific career in infectious diseases, according to the Servicio Andaluz de Salud (SAS).
Career at Valme
Rodríguez holds a degree in Medicine from the Universidad de Sevilla and is a specialist in Internal Medicine. Since completing his residency he has worked as an infectious disease specialist in the Clinical Unit of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology at the Hospital Universitario de Valme.
His research focuses on infections by multidrug-resistant microorganisms, Q fever, Clostridioides difficile infection and healthcare-associated infections. He also participates in national study groups linked to the Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica (SEIMC).
Doctorate and publications
In April 2026 he obtained his doctorate in Medicine from the Universidad de Sevilla with the grade of sobresaliente cum laude. His thesis analyzed the relationship between colonization by multidrug-resistant enterobacteria and the subsequent development of infections by these microorganisms.
He is a co-author of articles in international journals and has presented more than 70 communications at national and international congresses. Between 2023 and 2024 he held a Río Hortega contract from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, which allowed him to combine clinical activity with research training.
Study on Clostridioides difficile
Among the projects in which he has participated from Valme, a national study with the Hospital General Universitario Doctor Balmis de Alicante on the application of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (PROA) in the management of Clostridioides difficile infection stands out.
This bacterium is one of the main causes of healthcare-associated diarrhea. The infection usually appears after the use of antibiotics and can range from mild cases to serious complications, especially in older or immunocompromised people. It can cause prolonged hospital stays and readmissions.
The work is part of the Clinical Research Group in Infectious Diseases and Microbiology of the Hospital Universitario de Valme, linked to the Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS).
Award ceremony
The award was presented at the institutional event for the feast of San Lucas, patron saint of physicians, which was attended by the first vice president and minister of Presidency, Health and Emergencies, Antonio Sanz.