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• Dr. Eduard Batlle awarded Personality of the Year in recognition of his contributions to cancer research and biomedical innovation.
• The award highlights the growing societal impact of cancer research carried out at IRB Barcelona and the importance of continued support for biomedical science.
The first edition of the Toresky Awards, organized by SER Catalunya, brought together leading figures from across Catalonia’s cultural, social, and scientific sectors in a gala held on 9 February at the Teatre Tívoli, in Barcelona. The event, created to mark World Radio Day, combined live music, theatre, and humour with the presentation of the newly established Toresky Awards, recognising twelve outstanding personalities and initiatives.
Among the awardees was Dr. Eduard Batlle, head of the Colorectal Cancer Laboratory at IRB Barcelona, who received the Personality of the Year distinction for his contributions to biomedical research. During the ceremony, Dr. Batlle underlined the importance of science communication and public engagement, stressing that research is largely supported by citizens’ taxes and that sharing scientific advances with society is essential.
The inaugural gala also honoured prominent names from music, culture, and sport, including singer-songwriter Joan Manuel Serrat, actress and director Leticia Dolera, and Raphinha, among others. Their recognition highlighted the diversity of talent celebrated during the evening and reinforced the event’s aim to showcase achievements across multiple sectors.
With this new annual celebration, SER Catalunya seeks not only to honour excellence but also to reaffirm the enduring role of radio as a platform that connects culture, science, and society. Dr. Batlle’s award reflects the growing visibility and impact of cancer research, as well as the importance of bringing scientific discovery closer to the public.
About IRB Barcelona
The Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) pursues a society free of disease. To this end, it conducts multidisciplinary research of excellence to cure cancer and other diseases linked to ageing. It establishes technology transfer agreements with the pharmaceutical industry and major hospitals to bring research results closer to society, and organises a range of science outreach activities to engage the public in an open dialogue. IRB Barcelona is an international centre that hosts 400 researchers and more than 30 nationalities. Recognised as a Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence since 2011, IRB Barcelona is a CERCA centre and member of the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST).
