Born in 1947 in Tarragona (Catalonia, Spain), Dr. Joan Guinovart was an internationally renowned biochemist, a visionary founder and first director of the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), and a devoted husband, father and proud grandfather.
Joan the scientist
Dr. Guinovart graduated in Chemistry and Pharmacy (1969) from the University of Barcelona (UB), where he completed a Doctorate in Biochemistry (1973). He undertook postdoctoral work in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Virginia (USA). Upon his return, he became a professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy at the UB, then at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), finally at in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department at the UB, where he eventually became its head (1995–2001). He also spend a sabbatical year at Dr. Robert Fletterick’s laboratory at the University of California in San Francisco in 1992-93.
Throughout a distinguished career that spanned decades, he excelled in the study of carbohydrate metabolism, diabetes, and Lafora disease, earning worldwide recognition for his pioneering research done at the IRB Barcelona’s Metabolic Engineering and Diabetes Therapy laboratory, which he led between 2005 and 2021.
Joan was a dedicated doctoral mentor to many young students who, years later, would go on to become prominent scientists, including Dr. Joan Massagué, Dr. Joaquín Ariño, Dr. Fàtima Bosch, Dr. Joan Seoane, and Dr. Roger Gomis.
He held leading roles in several scientific organizations—among them President of the Spanish Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SEBBM), member of the Executive Committee of the Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS), President of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB) and promoter of the Spanish Scientific Societies Confederation (COSCE). His enduring contributions were recognized with numerous honours, including the “Narcís Monturiol” Medal and the prestigious St. George’s Cross (Creu de Sant Jordi) from the Catalan Government, the Pecht Award from FEBS, the Honorary Diploma from COCSE, and an Honoris Causa doctorate from the Universidad Andrés Bello in Santiago de Chile.
Joan the founder & leader
In 2005, Joan turned one of his dreams into a reality by promoting the creation of the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), serving as its director until 2018 and continuing as Emeritus Professor thereafter.
Creating a new biomedical institute from scratch and nurturing its growth over time to become a prestigious world-class research centre was a huge challenge on many levels: scientifically, economically, politically, and in terms of management. It required a wide range of skills like vision, talent, initiative, determination, tenacity, creativity, curiosity, intuition, influence and passion. Joan mastered them all—an excellent captain who navigated the course to create an exceptional institute.
Joan the communicator
Among several of his visionary ideas, Joan understood back in 2005 that any research centre should commit not only to producing excellent science but also to explaining it to citizens. A fantastic communicator himself—mixing charisma, great interpersonal communication skills and a wicked sense of humour—, Joan led IRB Barcelona to pioneer the promotion of outreach, science education, and public engagement activities.
Opening up science to society is more than an important and useful way for a research centre to be accountable. It is also the best way to promote scientific vocation among young students called to be the next generation of scientists. That is why, in 2013, a very special science education programme was launched: Crazy About Biomedicine. Aimed at 16- and 17-year-old students interested in science, this innovative project has extended to several scientific disciplines.
In an exercise of courage and creativity, Joan showed the world that professional excellence is compatible with joy and playfulness by promoting a video in which IRB Barcelona researchers—and Joan himself—danced to raise funds for the Institute.
Joan the family man
Beyond being an outstanding scientist and leader, Joan was an extraordinary human being.
As his wife Rosa, his daughter Caterina, his grandchildren and all his family and friends know so well, Joan was a warm, generous and happy spirit. As only truly great leaders do, he treated everyone around him—from the renowned Group Leader or powerful politician to the taxi driver taking him to the airport for an international seminar—with the same respect, interest, and deep humanity.
He had the rare ability to make us all feel special. He had the unique capacity to transform both the scientific community and all those who had the privilege of interacting with him.
His legacy will endure forever in the family he dearly loved, the Institute he founded, and the groundbreaking research he led.
