The renowned physicist and science communicator, winner of the Galicia Research Medal, has been named a "Comendador" for his exceptional career and his close relationship with Lalín over many years.
The professor of electromagnetism and the only physicist to have been recognised with the Spanish Confederation of Scientific Societies Award joins the list of "comendadores" for this edition, which already includes the internationally renowned Galician surgeon and Fair announcer, Diego González Rivas; the Spanish national football coach, Luis de la Fuente; journalist and writer Irene Villa; and Lalín businessman Ramiro Mejuto, head of Megodeza, a leading company in the refrigeration sector.
The mayor of Lalín, José Crespo, announced today the incorporation of Jorge Mira Pérez, professor of electromagnetism in the Department of Applied Physics at the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC) and science communicator, into the Encomenda do Cocido 2026, highlighting "his exceptional career, his commitment to dissemination and his growing link with Lalín, which dates back many years, with his participation in various cultural, educational and dissemination initiatives".
Mira has had an extensive research career in multiple disciplines: from materials science (working with Nobel Prize winner John Goodenough) to mathematical physics, social systems dynamics, various areas of medicine, geography, and electrical, chemical and civil engineering. He is also the co-founder of a technology-based company.
He has been awarded the 2022 Galicia Research Medal in the fields of physics, mathematics and computer science ‘for the originality and quality of his scientific career, with notable contributions to a wide range of disciplines,’ according to the jury.
He collaborated with the Ministry of Education and Science in the creation of the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory in Braga (INL), was a member of the Galician Government's committee of experts on Covid-19 and a member of the Spanish Government's committee of experts on the reform of the official time. He has been president of the Ethics Committee of the Official College of Physicists of Spain since 2021.
He is also one of the country's most prominent science communicators, with more than 25 years of experience in television, radio and the press. He directs the scientific dissemination collection of the USC publishing house, is a writer and translator of scientific works, and has led multiple dissemination initiatives, some of them large-scale, such as the Conciencia Programme, developed with the participation of Nobel Prize winners, which won, among others, the Galicia Critics' Award and the Galician Culture Award in the category of international outreach.
For his work in this field, he has been recognised, among others, with the Spanish Confederation of Scientific Societies Award for the dissemination of science in 2023, being the only physicist to win it in the last 20 years of the award's history.
The mayor also highlighted that Mira fits in with the values and spirit of the Encomenda, both for his career and social commitment and for his long-standing relationship with Lalín, reinforced by his participation in various initiatives developed in our municipality.
It should be remembered that in May 2025, Jorge Mira participated in the II Cycle of Health Conferences organised by the Lalín Town Council, where on 16 May he gave a talk entitled ‘Radon gas pollution: risks and solutions’, which aroused great interest among the public, thus strengthening his relationship with the town and with the municipal cultural and educational programme.
He has previously developed various related initiatives in Lalín, including the presentation of the book ‘Science in the spotlight’ and lectures for students in May 2011, and the organisation of a visit to Lalín by the British Nobel Prize winner in Physics, Sir Anthony James Leggett, who was accompanied by Mira in March 2013 to taste a cocido and get to know Lalín and its gastronomy. Mira's relationship with Lalín is ongoing and has been maintained for many years.
With this addition, the Encomenda do Cocido 2026 now has four confirmed "comendadores":
Diego González Rivas, world-renowned thoracic surgeon and announcer of the 58th Cocido Fair.
Luis de la Fuente, national football coach.
Irene Villa, writer, psychologist and leading figure in personal development.
Ramiro Mejuto, businessman from Lalín and head of Megodeza, a leading company in the refrigeration sector.
