Salvador Ventura, new director of the Parc Taulí Research and Innovation Institute (I3PT)

Dr. Salvador Ventura Zamorahas been appointed director of the Parc Taulí Research and Innovation Institute (I3PT)-CERCA by the institution's Taulí of Trustees. Ventura will assume the leadership of the I3PT from September 1, 2024.

He holds a degree in Biology from the University of Barcelona (UB), a master's degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) and a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the UAB.

ventura is ICREA Academy researcher and professor from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Faculty of Biosciences of the UAB. His research career has developed mainly in the area of ​​conformational diseases caused by protein misfolding. From 2017 to 2020, Ventura has been director of the Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (IBB) "Vicent Villar i Palasí" of the UAB. In 2022 he received the Narcís Monturiol Medal to scientific and technological merit and has recently been elected member of the European Academy in recognition of his research work.

The challenges of the new direction

The new direction of the I3PT aims to continue driving the scientific and innovative excellence of the professionals of Parc Taulí, especially in the international arena, with an impact on improving the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. In this sense, one of the main challenges is to promote the two transversal areas of research – Data and Technological Innovation in Health and omics – so that collaborative projects can be carried out with research groups; the collection of resources to provide the Institute with the most advanced infrastructures and equipment; the promotion of activity related to clinical trials; the promotion of the recruitment and retention of talent; and collaboration with other sector institutions and technology companies.

Along these lines, during a visit to the I3PT, accompanied by the general director of the CSPT, Anna Aran, and the current director of the Institute, Lluís Blanch, Ventura explained:

Lluís Blanch, a successful leadership of nine years

Doctor Lluís Blanch, at the head of the I3PT since its creation in 2015, has achieved some of the most relevant scientific milestones and institutional recognitions in the biomedical research sector, such as recognition as a center CERCA (2021), accreditation as a Health Research Institute of the Carlos III Health Institute (Ministry of Science) (2023), or the seal of excellence HRS4R of the European Commission (2021). Also, under his direction, the Institute has been chosen as the body in charge of the coordination of the ITEMAS Platform - platform that coordinates the health innovation of health institutions in Spain - for the period 2021-2023, and re-elected for a second period 2024-2026. As an individual, Blanch has been one of the finalists in the Sabadellenc Award of the Year 2023, for his leadership in the growth of the Institute and the accreditation as IIS of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III.

It will be from September 1 when Dr. Ventura assumes the position of director of the I3PT, and Dr. Blanch will continue with his responsibility at the head of the ITEMS Platform and with the tasks of innovation and transfer to the I3PT.

— The Parc Taulí team is grateful for the dedication and leadership of Dr. Blanch at the head of the Institute during all these years. Thanks to its strategic vision and its commitment to the institution and its professionals, it has managed to position the I3PT among the elite of research and innovation centers in the State. Thanks for everything, Lluís! —