Antonio Prieto Romero, alumnus of the Degree in Pharmacy (2013-2018) has ranked number 1 in the public examination to become a Resident Internal Pharmacist (FIR) in 2022. Approximately 1700 applicants were competing for the 309 positions available. The Ministry of Health has published the provisional results of these tests and the claims period of the process has begun.

Prieto Romero has received the news in Kenya, where he is currently collaborating with Anidan, an NGO that was created to meet the needs of children on the island of Lamu (Kenya), with a shelter that houses more than 150 children and provides food, clothing, care and education to more than 280. During his time at CEU San Pablo, he volunteered in a CEU project that provided health care to disadvantaged populations in Peru.

Before embarking on his university adventure, Prieto received the Extraordinary Merit Award from the Community of Madrid for his grades in the Baccalaureate Evaluation for University Access exam (EBAU). During his time at CEU San Pablo University, he received honours in 28 subjects, an achievement that earned him a CEU Talent Plus Award-a distinction that recognises the student's academic record as well as extra-curricular activities.

As a result of his effort and dedication, the CEU alumnus also received an award from the Spanish Association Against Cancer, which gave him the opportunity to enjoy a scholarship at the Molecular Biology Laboratory of the Centre for Energy, Environmental and Technological Research (CIEMAT). During this fellowship, he conducted research on the role of the KMT2D protein in the development, aggressiveness and sensitivity to drugs targeting mTOR and LSD1 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

The 27-year-old Madrid resident wants to direct his future career towards hospital pharmacy. "For two years, I worked at Hereford County Hospital in the UK, where I was able to apply my knowledge of drugs and help patients on different wards," explains Prieto, who recommended spending time abroad: "my work abroad helped me to enjoy my profession even more and to make the decision to prepare for the FIR".

As a result of this adventure in the UK, Prieto published a case report in which he helped other health professionals to diagnose the adverse blood-clot reaction to the Astrazeneca vaccine and its respective treatment.

Prieto Romero says that it was worth all the effort of preparing for the exam, especially with all the complications caused by the COVID pandemic, and encourages all Pharmacy graduates who are thinking of taking the exam to do so.

Last year, several CEU San Pablo Pharmacy alumni also ranked high on the FIR exam, including María Pilar Montero Antón, from the Double Degree in Pharmacy and Nutrition/Dietetics, in third position, and Ana Sánchez Cerviño, from the Double Degree in Pharmacy and Biotechnology, in 35th place.