With over 30 years of experience, the Centre for Research in Biomedical Engineering (CREB) is now the Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (IRIS), a new research institute of UPC focused on advancing health through science and technology. An official presentation will take place on June 5th in Barcelona during a public institutional event. After more than three decades driving applied research and innovation in the biomedical field, the Centre for Research in Biomedical Engineering (CREB) takes a step forward and becomes the Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (IRIS). Backed by the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), IRIS emerges as a new institute committed to developing advanced technologies that address current and future challenges in healthcare. With IRIS, the UPC reaffirms its long-standing commitment to research with purpose and technology with real-world impact in one of the most vital sectors for society: health. This transition consolidates years of scientific excellence in research and technology transfer, and marks the beginning of a new era with broader reach, a stronger institutional structure, and deeper integration with the health innovation ecosystem. The new institute will drive cutting-edge research to address major health challenges, working on transform scientific knowledge into tangible solutions that benefit patients, healthcare professionals, and the wider healthcare system. The IRIS brings together 12 accredited research groups and promotes strategic initiatives such as Xartec Salut, a health innovation network that connects over 110 research groups across Catalonia. Official presentation event 📅 Thursday, June 5th, 2025🕛 From 12:00 to 14:00📍 ETSEIB Auditorium (Av. Diagonal, 647 – Barcelona) This session will include institutional remarks, an introduction to the new institute and its scientific and technological capabilities, a roundtable with the leadership team, and a moment of recognition for former CREB directors. It will conclude with an official group photo and an informal networking […]

The multidisciplinary team designing the curriculum includes key contributions from researchers at the Centre for Research in Biomedical Engineering (CREB – UPC), reinforcing the program’s technological and innovative focus. The Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya – BarcelonaTech (UPC) is advancing the implementation of its new Medicine degree, designed with a strong technological and multidisciplinary orientation. Several researchers from CREB-UPC are part of the team developing the program, reaffirming the center’s commitment to integrating research and technology into medical education. Roger Paredes, principal investigator of the Microbial Genomics Group at IrsiCaixa in Badalona, will join UPC as a distinguished professor and medical coordinator of the new degree program. The multidisciplinary team that has been shaping the curriculum includes: Mar Carrió, director of the Institute of Education Sciences (ICE-UPC); Cristina Canal, director of the Doctoral School and researcher in the Biomaterials, Biomechanics, and Tissue Engineering research group; Daniel García Almiñana, deputy director and head of Master’s Studies and Internationalization at the Terrassa School of Industrial, Aerospace, and Audiovisual Engineering (ESEIAAT); Daniel López-Codina, researcher in the Computational Biology and Complex Systems Research Group (BIOCOM-UPC); Àlex Perera, director of CREB; Clara Prats, coordinator of the BIOCOM-UPC group; and Xavier Roca, the rector’s delegate for the Medicine degree. The Medicine degree was approved in April 2024 with the endorsement of the UPC Governing Council. The project for the new Faculty of Health Sciences in Terrassa is being developed in collaboration with the Terrassa City Council and the Terrassa Health Consortium, which owns the Terrassa University Hospital, the reference center for the new program. UPC Rector Daniel Crespo stated, “With the incorporation of a figure of Dr. Paredes’ prestige as medical coordinator of the curriculum, the project takes a definitive step forward and reinforces our commitment to offering a high-quality medical education, with innovative teaching methodologies and […]

Researchers from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya – BarcelonaTech (UPC) once again take a prominent place in the Ranking of Spain-based Women Researchers, published by the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). In this ranking, which highlights researchers with the greatest impact and relevance in their respective disciplines, we are proud to announce that Maria Pau Ginebra has secured the top position for UPC scientists. Along with Maria, six other researchers from the Centre for Biomedical Engineering Research (CREB) have been included: Verónica Vilaplana, Guadalupe Gómez, Maria Amor, Cristina Canal, Clara Prats, Meritxell Vilaseca and Elisabeth Engel. Congratulations to all! This recognition underscores the essential role of our researchers in advancing knowledge and innovation in the field of biomedical engineering. At CREB-UPC, we are proud to have their talent and dedication, which contribute not only to scientific progress but also to the social and technological impact of health and biomedical research. Highlighting Female Talent The Ranking of Spanish and/or Spain-based Women Researchers is compiled by the Cybermetrics Lab of the CSIC with the aim of increasing the visibility of women’s work in science and promoting open science. The study uses public data from Google Scholar, a search engine specialized in scientific content and bibliography. The ranking first orders researchers by their h-index (an indicator of research impact that combines the number of published articles with the number of citations received) and, second, by the number of citations they have received. To be included in the ranking, researchers must have an ORCID identifier in their Google Scholar profile and an h-index of at least 14. Full list available here: Ranking Table Image: Researcher Maria Pau Ginebra holds the top position for UPCscientists in the CSIC ranking.

On November 21, the city of Terrassa welcomed more than 250 professionals from research, innovation, and business to the III TECNIO Congress, held at LaFACT | Factoria Social. This flagship event has become an essential forum for advancing knowledge transfer and fostering the growth of Catalonia’s innovation ecosystem. The Congress brought together a diverse range of participants, including universities, research institutions, spin-offs, and leading companies, reinforcing its role as a crucial hub for strategic collaborations that drive the country’s business competitiveness. A highlight of the event was the 25th anniversary of Xarxa IT, a testament to the region’s dedication to research and technological development. Participants also engaged in expert roundtables and witnessed the success of the TRS Brokerage, organized by the Terrassa City Council, which facilitated impactful connections between companies and technology providers.   Institutional support for innovation The presence of key political figures, including Miquel Sàmper Rodríguez and Alícia Romero Llano, underscored the Generalitat de Catalunya’s commitment to fostering an innovative environment. This institutional backing strengthens the role of knowledge transfer as a key driver of Catalonia’s position as a leader in European innovation. The event featured significant contributions from figures such as Daniel Crespo, rector of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya; Josep Antoni Planell, ex-rector of the UOC and founding member of Xarxa IT; and Jordi Aguasca, Director of Innovation and Technological Transformation at ACCIÓ. Representatives from renowned organizations, including Leitat, CEBIOTEX, Integra Therapeutics, and JOLT ENERGY, also enriched the discussions. The III TECNIO Congress not only provided a platform for sharing insights but also paved the way for transformative projects and reinforced Catalonia’s reputation as a European leader in research and innovation. At CREB, we are proud to contribute to these efforts and remain committed to advancing knowledge transfer and supporting the competitive growth of our innovation […]

Xartec Salut concluded the 10th od october a week dedicated to health technologies with the celebration of its two major events of the year: the HealthTech2030 summit and the Innovation Challenge competition for young students and professionals. These initiatives, part of the network’s valorization and transfer program, have been made possible with the support of the Center for Research in Biomedical Engineering (CREB) – UPC, the Agència de Gestió d’Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca (AGAUR), as well as leading companies and organizations in the sector that have provided sponsorship and collaboration: Werfen, Arvor, Farside, Almirall, Better Care, the Sant Pau Research Institute, and the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau. Both events brought together sector leaders, academics, professionals, and students with the goal of fostering collaboration and creativity to develop innovative solutions in the healthcare field. HealthTech2030: Talent as the engine of the future On October 10th, the highly anticipated HealthTech2030 took place at Casa Rius in Barcelona. The event focused on talent as a pillar of the future of health and technology. Key topics discussed throughout the day included emerging professions in the sector, the role of women entrepreneurs in the healthtech ecosystem, formats and processes for creating innovations that can reach the market, and the impact of artificial intelligence on mental health. The attendees included representatives from government and academic institutions who supported the initiative and the advancement of innovation in the healthcare sector. Laia Arnal, Director General of Knowledge Transfer and the Knowledge Society in the Department of Research and Universities (GENCAT), thanked the organizers and attendees for their involvement in promoting initiatives that help create synergies between the public and private sectors to drive the development of technological solutions that improve healthcare. Also present at the event was Jordi Llorca Piqué, Vice-Rector for Research at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) adn Alexandre Perera, Director at CREB-UPC and Xartec Salut. One of the most notable round tables […]