The Mind, Brain, and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC) was awarded the Maria de Maeztu Unit of Excellence distinction in 2024.
This recognition, granted by the State Research Agency of the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities, highlights our commitment to scientific excellence and our contribution to advancing knowledge in our areas of expertise. The accreditation is valid for six years.
The accreditation as a Maria de Maeztu Unit of Excellence recognizes CIMCYC as a center at the forefront of national and international science. It highlights the relevance and impact of our research and provides four years of funding to support a strategic program aimed at strengthening our research, outreach, and knowledge-transfer activities.
The distinction underscores the impact of our research on society and our ability to attract top-level scientific talent. It recognizes CIMCYC as a leading center in the international scientific community and motivates us to continue addressing major scientific challenges with dedication and excellence.
Mission and Objectives
We aim to conduct outstanding scientific research at the highest international standards and to contribute key knowledge, applications, and training at the intersection of mind, brain, and behavior research. We are in a unique position to do so by combining world-class infrastructure, excellent multi-disciplinary research, undergraduate and postgraduate training, highly relevant knowledge transfer, and crucial societal interventions. Our objectives are as follows:
- To produce excellent, open, and transparent basic and applied research that meets the highest international quality standards.
- To provide researchers with state-of-the-art infrastructure, equipment, and highly specialized technical support.
- To foster synergies and collaborations among researchers from different groups and research areas, as well as with the national and international scientific community.
- To promote the transfer of evidence-based knowledge into potential applications.
- To provide excellent training and career support for young researchers.
- To attract and retain top international talent.
- To create a working environment that supports the well-being of researchers and staff.
- To share our work and psychological science more broadly with non-specialist audiences of all ages.
- To use our knowledge to serve the community and improve well-being.
- To produce research that promotes diversity and gender equality and enhances the visibility of women scientists.
Research Areas
The research activities of CIMCYC's Maria de Maeztu Unit of Excellence are organized into 10 areas. Although these areas cover different topics, they are inherently interconnected.
- Basic Cognitive Functions
- Development
- Individual Differences
- Ergonomics
- Gender Studies
- Psychology of Social Inequalities
- Clinical and Health Psychology
- Clinical Neuropsychology
- Behavioral Assessment Methods
- Neuroimaging and Artificial Intelligence
Significance and Impact
Accreditation as centers or units of excellence applies across all scientific disciplines. It requires clear evidence of high impact in a given field, external and independent scientific evaluation, and the development of frontier research through exchange and ongoing collaboration with other leading research centers. The award recognizes the leadership and quality of cutting-edge research conducted in Spain.
As a Maria de Maeztu Unit of Excellence, we are part of the SOMMa Alliance, which enables us to connect with other Maria de Maeztu Units of Excellence and Severo Ochoa Centers of Excellence to maximize the scientific, social, and economic impact of these institutions.
Team
The Maria de Maeztu Unit of Excellence accreditation is awarded to CIMCYC as a whole and therefore encompasses all members of the center. Under the terms of the call, the unit includes a Scientific Director, 6 Guarantor Researchers, and an external Scientific Advisory Committee:
- Maria Ruz - Scientific Director
Guarantor Researchers
- Teresa Bajo
- Juan Lupiáñez
- Miguel Moya
- Miguel Pérez
- Rosa Rodríguez-Bailón
- M. Rosario Rueda
Scientific Advisory Committee
- Susan T. Fiske, Eugene Higgins Professor, Psychology and Public Affairs, Princeton University.
- Jolanda Jetten, Professor of Psychology at the University of Queensland.
- Luiz Pessoa, Professor at the Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park and Director of the Maryland Neuroimaging Center (USA).
- Antonio Puente, Professor of Psychology at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and Visiting Professor at the Universidad de Granada (Spain), UCLA, and UNC-Chapel Hill.
- Heleen Slagter, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Director of the iBBA research center (Institute for Brain and Behavior Amsterdam).
Hired Personnel
- Ruth Maldonado Díaz - Project Manager
- David López - Neuroimaging Data Analyst
- Maria Fernanda Ramírez Ramos - Science Outreach and Transfer Officer
- Laura Torres Vega - Wellbeing, Equality & Diversity Officer
- Filip Andras - Programmer & Behavioral Data Analyst
Documentation
CIMCYC members can access the documentation through the restricted-access area after logging in with their UGR username and password.