The Sant Pau Research Institute (IR Sant Pau) continues to establish itself as a benchmark in the field of biomedical research. Three of its outstanding researchers, Dr José M. Guerra, Dr Gemma Vilahur, and Dr José Martínez González, have been selected to join the new board of directors of the Networked Biomedical Research Centre on Cardiovascular Diseases (CIBERCV). This network, which brings together the leading cardiovascular research groups in Spain, aims to advance the research, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of these diseases, which are among the leading causes of mortality worldwide.
Dr José M. Guerra, head of the Clinical and Translational Cardiology Research Group at IR Sant Pau, will co-lead the Electrophysiology and Arrhythmias Programme with Dr Eva Delpón, from Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM). The programme’s goal is to promote research into the mechanisms and factors involved in the onset and progression of cardiac arrhythmias, as well as their treatment, prevention, and measures to mitigate their negative consequences. It aims to develop collaborative and high-impact research projects, fostering interaction between basic, clinical, and epidemiological groups within CIBERCV, other areas of CIBER knowledge, and national and international centres of excellence. The programme’s findings will contribute to scientific understanding and translate these discoveries into practical applications that improve patients’ quality of life.
Dr Gemma Vilahur, head of the Molecular Pathology and Therapeutics of Atherothrombotic and Ischaemic Diseases Research Group at IR Sant Pau, will co-lead the Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ECVA) Programme alongside Dr Borja Ibáñez from the Spanish National Centre for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC). This programme encompasses the study and treatment of atherosclerotic disease and its clinical complications, including acute and chronic coronary syndrome, abdominal aortic aneurysm, stroke, and ischaemia-reperfusion processes. The ECVA Programme will adopt a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach, fostering collaboration among CIBER groups and stimulating basic, translational, and clinical research with the aim of improving cardiovascular health.
Finally, Dr José Martínez González, a CSIC researcher within the Cardiovascular Remodelling Regulatory Mechanisms Group at IR Sant Pau, will head the Training and Mobility Programme. This cross-cutting initiative seeks to equip researchers with tools and competencies in both clinical and basic research to address current challenges in cardiovascular diseases. It will also promote knowledge exchange among CIBERCV groups, fostering a collaborative environment that drives the generation of new ideas and innovative solutions.
These appointments not only recognise the talent and scientific excellence of IR Sant Pau but also reinforce the role of its researchers as thought leaders in the cardiovascular field. Their experience and prestige endorse their ability to lead strategic programmes within CIBERCV, setting the agenda in key areas of biomedical research.
With their participation in the new board of directors, significant progress is expected in understanding and treating cardiovascular diseases, as well as inspiring and guiding the next generation of researchers. These appointments consolidate IR Sant Pau’s status as an international leader in scientific innovation and development, highlighting the global impact of its work on improving cardiovascular health and patient quality of life.
