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 aperitif.

Agenda

12:00 – 12:10 | Institutional Welcome
Mr. Pedro Díez, Vice-Rector for Research, UPC

12:10 – 12:20 | Presentation of IRIS
Alexandre Perera i Lluna, Director of IRIS

12:20 – 12:40 | Presentation of the Scientific and Technological Capabilities of the Institute
Clara Prats, Josep Maria Font, and Carles Mas, IRIS Executive Team

12:40 – 13:30 | Round Table: The Future of Health Technologies
Moderated by Alexandre Perera i Lluna. With the participation of:

• Roger Paredes, Medical Coordinator of the UPC’s new Medicine Degree Program and Principal Investigator of the Microbial Genomics Group at IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute

• Elvira Bisbe, President of the Barcelona Medical Association (CoMB)

• Rafael González, Head of Knowledge Transfer Promotion, Directorate General for Knowledge Transfer and Society, Department of Research and Universities

• Sergi Picart, Senior Artificial Intelligence Scientist, Almirall

13:30 – 13:40 | Recognition
Led by Manel González, Head of Innovation
With the participation of former CREB directors: Josep Anton Planell, Pere Caminal, and Dani Tost

13:40 – 13:45 | Official Group Photo

13:45 – 14:30 | Networking and Refreshments

To attend the event, please confirm your participation by completing the registration form:

REGISTER HERE