The 15th Research Day of the Catalan Health Institute (ICS), themed "Breathing into the Future: Challenges and Research Strategies in Respiratory Diseases," focuses on the latest advancements related to these conditions. This year, the Dr. Josep Trueta University Hospital and the Dr. Josep Trueta Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI) hosted the event at the Cultural Center of La Mercè in Girona.
Once again, the Day brought together over 200 professionals in a space to discuss and understand the challenges and frontiers in the field of research, sharing strategies and knowledge that can impact health. As stated by Josep Pomar, director of ICS, "This day is a great opportunity to recognize the paths of those dedicated to research. It’s a moment that coincides with honoring young talent, the trajectories of our professionals, and the diversity of research within our institution."
The opening keynote, "Neutral Studies: Lessons from Life," was delivered by Ferran Barbé Illa, clinical director of chronic respiratory diseases in Lleida, director of the Translational Research Group in Respiratory Medicine at the Biomedical Research Institute of Lleida (IRBLleida), and professor at the University of Lleida, recognized with an ICREA Academia 2023 award. Barbé, who also received the Research Trajectory Award at ICS Hospitals 2022, emphasized that "in research, the most important aspect is the question you ask, the rigor, and the team you work with daily."
The event also announced the winners of the 2024 Research Awards, presented by the Scientific Council of ICS. This year, of the eight awards, six went to female researchers. The Awards recognize significant contributions to the development of health sciences research, aiming to promote and acknowledge high-quality biomedical research conducted within the institution and its affiliated research institutes.
The meeting also announced the winners of the 2024 Research Awards, presented by the Scientific Council of the ICS. In this edition, out of the eight awards, six were given to female researchers. The awards recognize significant contributions to the development of research in health sciences, aiming to promote and acknowledge high-quality biomedical research, both preclinical and clinical, conducted within the institution and its affiliated research institutes.
ICS 2024 Research Trajectory Awards:
Research Trajectory Award at ICS Hospitals 2024: Manel Puig (IGTP), for his distinguished research trajectory and recognition for his role as former director of IGTP from 2013 to 2021.
Manel Puig Domingo is the Clinical Director of Endocrinology and Nutrition at Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital. He is also a professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) and has led various research projects on acromegaly and endocrine and neuroendocrine tumors. With 265 published articles and 20 directed doctoral theses, he has received multiple awards for his scientific impact. He has served as president of the Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition (SEEN) and participates in national and international scientific committees. He received the Merit Research Medal from the Official College of Physicians of Barcelona in 2011 and 2018, as well as the SEEN medal.
Young Researcher Award at ICS 2024: Jessica González (IRB Lleida), for her achievements in publications, resource acquisition, and leadership capabilities.
The researcher began her scientific career focusing on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer, with a training stay in New York. In 2019, she joined ICS, where she has led projects such as INBREATHING and REPAIR. During the pandemic, she directed the Post-COVID clinic and published over 45 articles. She has participated in numerous conferences, receiving awards like the "Young Lesson" from the Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR) for the best young clinical researcher in 2023. Currently, she combines research in multicenter projects with teaching at the University of Lleida, where she tutors residents and co-directs seven doctoral theses.
Nurse Researcher Award at ICS 2024: Esperanza Zuriguel (VHIR), for her research trajectory in the professional development of nurses and improvement of care.
A nurse and doctor in Nursing Sciences from the University of Barcelona, awarded with the Extraordinary Doctorate Award in 2017. She is currently the Research Coordinator at Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and leads the Multidisciplinary Nursing Research Group at the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR). She has directed eight doctoral theses and teaches in nursing degree programs and master’s programs at various Catalan universities. She has directed and evaluated research projects funded by national agencies and has participated in scientific societies. She is the author of numerous scientific articles and a reviewer for indexed journals in the Journal Citation Report (JCR).
Research Trajectory Award in Primary Care at ICS 2024: Concepción Violán (IDIAP Jordi Gol), for her research on multimorbidity and frailty in adults, of great relevance to clinical practice.
Concepción Violán Fors is a physician and doctor of medicine, specializing in family and community medicine, and holds a diploma in Public Health. She has held various leadership positions in the public health system and was director of IDIAP Jordi Gol for 16 years. Currently, she works at the Gatassa Health Center in Mataró and collaborates with the Metropolitan North Research Support Unit of IDIAP Jordi Gol. She is also an associate clinical researcher at IGTP. Principal investigator of the GRIMTra group, she participates in research projects on multimorbidity, frailty, and COVID-19, with over 88 publications and 1,939 citations on the Web of Science platform. In terms of training, she has directed five doctoral theses.
Research Impact Award at ICS:
The Maternal and Fetal Medicine Group of VHIR, led by Elena Carreras, has received this award for their work "The use of cervical pessary to reduce preterm birth in Catalan centers," which has had an impact on reducing preterm birth rates and morbidity in newborns. Their research has facilitated the inclusion of pessary use in clinical practice guidelines, implementation in centers through clinical protocols, and inclusion in the Department of Health's Pregnancy Follow-up Protocol in Catalonia.
Best Research Article Award in Health Sciences:
For its importance and excellence in its field, the Scientific Council has decided to award the Best Article Prize, presented by a researcher in training through a doctoral program, ex aequo to:
Judit Prat (VHIR), for the article "Paper-based microfluidic electro-analytical device (PMED) for magneto-assay automation: Towards generic point-of-care diagnostic devices" published in Biosensors and Bioelectronics.
A third-year doctoral student at the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR). With a technological background, she graduated in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology at UAB and then specialized in biomedical research with a master's degree in Biomedical Engineering at UB/UPC. For her master’s thesis, she joined the Diagnostic Nanotools group at VHIR, led by Eva Baldrich, where she is currently pursuing her doctoral thesis (UAB) thanks to a fellowship from the Carlos III Health Institute.
Sara Calvo (IDIBELL), for the article "Evolution of invasive pneumococcal disease by serotype 3 in adults: a Spanish three-decade retrospective study," published in The Lancet Regional Health.
Graduated in Pharmacy from the University of Barcelona (2019). After working two years in a pharmacy, she completed her Master's in Advanced Microbiology (UB, 2021), with internships at Bellvitge University Hospital. She is currently developing her doctoral thesis on invasive pneumococcal disease, directed by Carmen Ardanuy and Aida González, with a predoctoral research training grant (PFIS). She is part of the Bacterial Infection Epidemiology Group at IDIBELL and the CIBER Group on Respiratory Diseases.
Regarding the Best Article Award presented by an ICS professional in training through the residents’ program, the Scientific Council has decided to award the Prize to:
Ignasi Sacanella (IISPV), for the article "A Real-World Data Observational Analysis of the Impact of Liposomal Amphotericin B on Renal Function Using Machine Learning in Critically Ill Patients," published in the journal Antibiotics.
A hospital pharmacist, Sacanella specialized at the Joan XXIII University Hospital in Tarragona, conducting rotations in pharmacogenetics and pharmacokinetics. He has also trained in artificial intelligence (AI) applied to health. Currently, he works as a specialist at the Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO) in Hospitalet de Llobregat and participates in the ESPOQ program, providing pharmaceutical care support to cancer patients.
Best Research Poster Award at ICS 2024:
The two winners of the Best Research Poster Award at ICS 2024 were Jordi Estarlich from the Jordi Gol Primary Care Research Institute (IDIAPJGol) and Carlos Mateos from the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP).