On 16 January 2026, the scientific community, institutional leaders, colleagues, friends, and family will gather at the Auditori Antoni Caparrós (Parc Científic de Barcelona) to honour the life and legacy of Dr. Joan J. Guinovart, founder and first director of IRB Barcelona. Through a programme that brings together voices from the research, academic, civic, and economic spheres, this memorial event aims to celebrate his transformative impact on science and society, as well as his enduring human values.
Presentation
Joan J. Guinovart (1947–2024) was an internationally recognised leader in the field of carbohydrate metabolism, diabetes, and Lafora disease, and a mentor to generations of scientists now shaping biomedical research worldwide. After an illustrious academic career in Barcelona and abroad, he founded the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) in 2005 and led it until 2018, establishing a centre that today stands as a global reference in biomedical research. His scientific excellence was acknowledged with numerous distinctions, including the Creu de Sant Jordi and the Narcís Monturiol Medal.
Beyond his scientific accomplishments, Joan was a visionary advocate for bringing science closer to society. He championed innovative outreach initiatives such as Crazy About Biomedicine, encouraged new generations to pursue research vocations, and demonstrated that excellence could be paired with creativity, humour, and generosity. His legacy lives on in the thousands of people he inspired, the institute he built, and the scientific community he helped shape—always with profound kindness, respect, and humanity.
Friday, 16 January
9:00 - 13:00 Light refreshments will be served outdoors afterwards
Antoni Caparrós Auditorium, Parc Científic de Barcelona (PCB)
Programme
Welcome Remarks
9:00 Drs. Roger Gomis and Antonio Zorzano, group leaders at IRB Barcelona
Opening Address
9:10 Dr. Núria Montserrat, Minister for Research and Universities, Government of Catalonia
Impact on the scientific community and on civil society
9:20 Institutional impact
- IRB Barcelona - Dr. Francesc Posas, Director and group leader
- BIST - Andreu Mas-Colell, President
9:50 Impact in Catalonia
- Miquel Roca, President, Societat Econòmica Barcelonesa d’Amics del País
- Dr. Teresa Garcia-Milà, President Cercle d'Economia
10:20 Impact in Spain
- Dr. Antonio Ferrer Montiel, President, SEBBM
- Dr. Perla Wahnón Benarroch, President, COSCE
10:50 Screening of the tribute video
11:00 Coffee Break
11:35 International Impact
- Dr. Dario Alessi, President, IUBMB
Glycogen Metabolism research today
12:00 Current status of glycogen research
- Dr. Kei Sakamoto, group leader at Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research
- Dr. Jordi Duran, group leader at Institut Químic de Sarrià (IQS)
Closing remarks
13:00 Dr. Antoni Plasencia, Director General of Research and Innovation of the Department of Health, Government of Catalonia
Outdoor refreshments
Poster
