Former Sabbatical Visitor to the Specht Lab, Dra. María Elena Alvarez-Buylla Roces, was awarded the Mexican National Prize in Science and Arts for her research on genetically modified corn and spread of genes to native populations of maize and teosinte, and her work on epithelial cancer. This award is made yearly by the Secretary of Public Education and is the highest level of recognition that the government bestows on researchers for their outstanding work in natural and physical sciences, technology and innovation, and humanities. Dra. Alvarez Buylla is the solo winner of the 2017 Prize in the area of Physical-Mathmatical and Natural Sciences. !Felicidades, Elena! Read more about this award and other winners here. You can read more about Elena and her research on her webpage.