Carmen Gil, born in Madrid, is recognized as one of Spain’s most influential virologists. After completing her studies in Madrid, she continued her training in the United Kingdom, where she investigated the latency of the herpes simplex virus. Later, in London, she contributed to research demonstrating that certain viruses can infect both animals and plants, developing experimental in vitro models under the guidance of Professor Lindsay Black. Upon returning to Spain, despite facing significant organizational and funding challenges, Gil played a pivotal role in advancing virological research. She conducted studies on the African swine fever virus and made important contributions to understanding the outbreak of toxic oil syndrome in Spain. Her scientific achievements, combined with exceptional creativity and resilience, have established Carmen Gil as a foundational figure in the development of virology in Spain and an inspiring model for future generations of researchers.