Dr Puig has served as a Gastroenterology Consultant at Althaia Xarxa Assistencial Universitària de Manresa since 2011, and as Associate Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, Universitat de Vic-Universitat Central de Catalunya since 2019.

He obtained his PhD under the supervision of Dr Xavier Calvet and during his post-doctorate period was mentored by Dr Maria Pellisé. He learned optical diagnosis of diminutive colorectal polyps at VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (USA) with Dr Tonya Kaltenbach, and the invasive pattern with magnification at the National Cancer Center, Tokyo (Japan) under the supervision of Dr Taku Sakamoto. In 2021 Dr Puig received training in advanced endoscopic techniques at the Endoscopy Unit of King’s College Hospital, London (UK), under the supervision of Dr Bu Hayee and Dr Amyn Haji.

In 2019 Dr Puig became the Scientific Director of AEG-REDCap, an online research platform that promotes the design, development and management of eCRF for data collection in multicentre studies. More than 2,500 researchers use this platform in over 400 hosted projects. Between 2019 and 2022, he also collaborated with the European Registry on the management of Helicobacter Pylori infection as Scientific Director. More than 6,000 patients were enrolled each year, and more than 50,000 patients from 29 countries were included (www.hpeureg.com).

His lines of research are focused on advanced endoscopic imaging and therapeutics of gastrointestinal lesions, and the management of Helicobacter Pylori infection.

In his free time, one of the things he likes most is enjoying a good conversation over some “tapas”. The simple things in life…

Dr Álvarez has been Head of the Digestology Service at Althaia Xarxa Assistencial Universitària de Manresa since 2021, and Associate Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona since 2014, where he has supervised one doctoral thesis and five final degree projects.

He has broad expertise in basic and advanced endoscopy (with more than 20,000 colonoscopies, 15,000 gastroscopies, 400 endoscopic mucosal resections, 300 ERCP, 300 enteroscopies and 200 small bowel capsule endoscopies) and in outpatient assessment, diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal and liver disorders.

Dr Álvarez also has extensive experience as a speaker at international and national scientific meetings, having given more than 50 lectures on topics including cirrhosis, celiac disease, colonoscopy, advanced imaging in GI endoscopy, artificial intelligence in GI endoscopy, colorectal cancer and endoscopic removal of colon polyps, which represent his main lines of research. He is the author of more than 40 papers published in leading scientific journals and he has taken part in more than 15 clinical trials as PI or collaborator.

As regards his participation in professional associations, Dr Álvarez takes a very active part in the work of the Societat Catalana de Digestologia. He served as an expert on the organization’s scientific committee for endoscopy and pancreas until 2021 and is currently working on the society’s strategic plan on advanced endoscopy. He has also joined the Endoscopic resection working group of the Sociedad Española de Endoscopia Digestiva, as a board member and scientific adviser to the group’s multicentre studies.

Marco Antonio enjoys fencing (épée), playing football and travelling with family and friends.

Ascón has worked at Althaia, Xarxa Assistencial Universitària de Manresa since 2007. Her first steps focused on pediatric care, but she finally moved to endoscopy and, since 2015, she has been the nurse manager of the Colorectal Cancer Screening Technical Office and the Hereditary Cancer Unit.

Ascón is also an active member of Althaia’s Gastrointestinal Pathology Committee. Her line of research focuses on the follow-up of patients with a high personal risk of colorectal cancer. She teaches on early detection of colorectal cancer training programmes for other nurses.

Nàdia enjoys trekking and travelling.

Dr Collera has worked as a surgeon at Althaia, Xarxa Assistencial Universitària de Manresa since 1998. He became head of the Service of General Surgery in 2018, and joined the Universitat de Vic-Universitat Central de Catalunya in 2019 as Associate Professor.

In 2010, he expanded his expertise in coloproctology at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York (USA), under the supervision of Dr W. Douglas Wong. In 2020, he also stayed at the Cleveland Clinic in Abu Dhabi (UAE) broadening his skills in obesity surgery. In 2018, he guided a mentorship programme in TaTME approach technique at the Francisco Gentil Oncology Institute in Oporto (Portugal).

His lines of research are surgical and post-surgical treatments of colorectal cancer. Currently, Collera is also participating in several studies evaluating the impact of Covid-19 in postoperative period and the effectiveness and safety of surgical procedures. He has published more than 20 clinical studies in the last three years focused on these topics.

Collera has been Vice President of the Societat Catalana de Cirurgia since 2019.

Pablo loves to play basketball and spends his free time with his family and friends at home or visiting new cities.

Dr Da Costa has worked at the Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa as a gastroenterology consultant since 2021. Previously, he worked at Althaia, Xarxa Assistencial Universitària de Manresa, from 2019 to 2021.

During his stay at Althaia, he learned optical diagnosis of colorectal lesions and the invasive pattern with magnification with Dr Ignasi Puig and, at the same time, he began his involvement in Dr Puig’s lines of research. Da Costa is working towards a PhD on the Medicine and Biomedical Sciences programme at the Universitat de Vic-Universitat Central de Catalunya under the supervision of Dr Puig and Dr Pellisé. His lines of research focus on endoscopic recognition of the invasive pattern in colorectal polyps.

João is a geography enthusiast and, in his spare time, he loves travelling and scuba diving.

Díaz Del Gobbo is a specialist in General and Digestive Surgery, with a particular focus on gastric, bariatric, and metabolic surgery.

He obtained his medical degree from the University of Carabobo (Venezuela) and completed his residency in General and Digestive Surgery at Hospital Clínic de Barcelona. He has further expanded his training with specific programs in minimally invasive surgery, and has developed a strong international career in leading institutions.

His professional career combines clinical practice, teaching, and research. After his period at Hospital Clínic de Barcelona and an initial appointment at Althaia, he joined Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, where he worked as bariatric staff surgeon, Associate Program Director of the General Surgery Residency Program, and Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine. Since 2023, he has been Head of the Gastric, Bariatric, and Metabolic Surgery Unit at Fundació Althaia.

In the scientific field, he has a solid academic track record, including peer-reviewed international publications, book chapters, funded research projects, and work as a peer reviewer. He is also actively involved in teaching and training residents, students, and surgeons, and participates in scientific societies as well as research and ethics committees.

Outside the professional sphere, Gabriel loves music and travelling, two hobbies that help him disconnect and discover new perspectives.

Domènech is a specialist in Medical Oncology with extensive experience in clinical care, research, and healthcare management.

She obtained her medical degree from the University of Barcelona and completed her residency in Medical Oncology in 1992. She has further expanded her training with advanced studies in clinical management.

Her professional career has been closely linked to Althaia, where she has served as Head of the Oncology Department since 2002. She has also developed a prominent career in healthcare management, serving as Medical Director of the institution between 2022 and 2025, and previously as Deputy Medical Director. Since January 2026, she has been Deputy General Director of Fundació Althaia.

In the scientific field, she has played a key role in promoting clinical research in oncology, acting as principal investigator in more than 50 clinical trials and authoring over 40 publications in indexed scientific journals.

In the academic field, she has been Associate Professor of Medical Oncology at the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (2013–2019) and is currently a professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the Universitat de Vic – Universitat Central de Catalunya.

She has also held relevant roles in scientific societies, serving as President of the Catalan-Balearic Society of Oncology between 2010 and 2014.

Fanjul is a specialist in gastroenterology and endoscopy, with a particular interest in inflammatory bowel diseases and pancreaticobiliary disorders. His clinical practice focuses on diagnostic and therapeutic gastrointestinal endoscopy.

He obtained his medical degree from the Universidad Nacional de Tucumán (Argentina) and later specialized in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy in Buenos Aires. He has also received training in healthcare digitalization and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Data Science at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya. 

He has completed multiple international training stays in advanced endoscopy at leading institutions such as Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (Harvard Medical School, Boston), Hospital Universitario Río Hortega (Valladolid), and other centers in Argentina and Chile, gaining strong expertise in advanced pancreaticobiliary endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasound.

Since 2024, he works as a consultant at Hospital Sant Joan de Déu de Manresa (Barcelona), where he is involved in both outpatient and inpatient care, as well as advanced gastrointestinal endoscopy.

In the research field, he is principal investigator in an international phase 3b clinical trial on ulcerative colitis. He has published articles in indexed scientific journals and has a growing interest in integrating data science and programming (Python, R, SQL) into clinical practice and research.

Figols is a medical oncologist specialized in clinical and translational research in genitourinary oncology. She holds a degree in Medicine from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) and completed her residency in Medical Oncology at Hospital Sant Joan de Déu de Manresa.

During her training, she actively participated in phase II and III clinical trials in genitourinary cancers. Since completing her residency, she has been involved as principal investigator and sub-investigator in multiple international clinical trials in prostate and bladder cancer.

She currently works as a staff medical oncologist at Hospital Sant Joan de Déu de Manresa, combining clinical practice with research. At the same time, she is involved in the training of Medical Oncology residents and collaborates in university teaching as a member of the teaching and research staff at the Universitat de Vic – Universitat Central de Catalunya (UVic-UCC), teaching in the Medicine Degree programme. 

She is currently pursuing a PhD focused on predictive biomarkers of response to neoadjuvant treatment in muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Font  is a specialist in General and Digestive Surgery, with a special interest in colorectal surgery, emergency surgery, bariatric surgery, and minimally invasive surgery.

She obtained her medical degree from the University of Barcelona in 2020 and is currently completing her specialist training in General and Digestive Surgery. 

She carries out her clinical activity at Hospital Sant Joan de Déu de Manresa, where she is also involved in teaching activities for medical students and residents, including seminars and courses in surgical techniques and proctology.

In the scientific field, she actively participates in national and international publications and conferences, especially in colorectal surgery, transanal rectal cancer approaches, robotic surgery, and abdominal wall surgery. She has been first author of several presentations at surgical and coloproctology meetings and has received awards such as the 2025 Bages Young Doctor Award and the COMB Excellence in Healthcare Team Award.

In her free time, Meritxell takes the opportunity to enjoy the beach, go for walks in the mountains, and travel.

Dr. Gallach is a specialist in Gastroenterology, with a well-established career in gastroenterology, hepatology, diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, and inflammatory bowel disease.

She obtained her medical degree from the University of Barcelona and completed her residency in Gastroenterology at Hospital de Sabadell (Corporació Sanitària Parc Taulí). She further developed her academic training with a master’s dissertation on chronic hepatitis C treatment and earned her PhD from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona with a doctoral thesis focused on the evaluation of multidisciplinary teamwork in the management of chronic hepatitis C. She has also expanded her training in endoscopy, hepatology, inflammatory bowel disease, and mountain medicine.

Her professional career has been mainly developed in hospital-based clinical practice. After her residency and subsequent work as staff physician at Hospital de Sabadell, where she combined clinical activity in gastroenterology, emergency care, and endoscopy, she also carried out endoscopy activity at Hospital de Manresa. Since 2019, she has been working as staff physician at Consorci Hospitalari de Vic, with activity in outpatient clinics, a dedicated inflammatory bowel disease clinic, diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, ERCP, and endoscopy on-call duties.

In the scientific field, she has a solid research track record, with publications in national and international journals and active participation in congresses and clinical research projects. Her research has focused particularly on hepatology, gastrointestinal bleeding, Helicobacter pylori, endoscopy, and inflammatory bowel disease. She has also been involved in university teaching linked to the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.

Marta loves everything related to nature and outdoor sports, especially mountaineering.

Carlos Gómez is a specialist in General and Digestive Surgery, with a particular focus on colorectal surgery, abdominal wall surgery, and emergency surgery, applying different surgical approaches including laparoscopy, HALS, transanal surgery, and robotic surgery.

He obtained his medical degree from the Universidad Católica de Santa María (Arequipa, Peru), where he received an outstanding academic award. He subsequently completed his residency in General and Digestive Surgery at Corporació Sanitària Parc Taulí (Sabadell, Spain). He has further expanded his training in advanced laparoscopic surgery, transanal surgery, and robotic surgery, including training in the Hugo™ RAS system.

He currently works as an attending surgeon at Hospital Sant Joan de Déu de Manresa (Manresa, Spain), where he has served as Clinical Lead of the Department of General and Digestive Surgery since June 2026. He is also involved in the coordination of the Coloproctology Unit and his clinical practice focuses on colorectal surgery, proctology, and abdominal wall surgery. In addition, he participates in multidisciplinary committees and healthcare quality improvement programmes.

He has a strong research background, with an H-index of 13 and participation in multiple international multicentre studies, especially in the field of surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic (COVIDSurg and COVID-CIR), in several cases serving as the local principal investigator. His scientific output includes publications in high-impact international journals.

In the field of medical education, he has been recognised for leading the online educational initiative #ResisCirugía, developed during the pandemic with national and international impact. Recordings of the sessions are available on the YouTube channel of the Spanish Association of Surgeons and continue to serve as a valuable educational resource for surgical residents and practising surgeons.

In his free time, Carlos Javier enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He is an avid reader, particularly of historical novels. He also enjoys sports and practices CrossFit several times a week.

Dr González is a specialist in clinical biochemistry and, since 2019, head of the Tumour Markers and Molecular Biology area at Althaia, Xarxa Assistencial Universitària de Manresa.

At the same time, since 2020, she has been teaching the Master’s Degree in Health Emergencies and Emergencies at the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya and tutoring trainees in the Althaia Laboratory.

González developed her first stage as a researcher in the Clinical Biochemistry group at the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, mainly focused on studying Hepatitis B.

Her current research focuses on tumour markers while he continues her investigation with her former group in the field of hepatitis.

Carolina is passionate about travelling and discovering new cultures, and, for the past few months, she has been enjoying her new motherhood.

Dr Güell has worked as a surgeon at Althaia, Xarxa Assistencial Universitària de Manresa since 2001. She specializes in gastroesophageal surgery.

Güell is currently working towards a PhD on the Medicine and Biomedical Sciences programme at the Universitat de Vic-Universitat Central de Catalunya under the supervision of Dr Puig and Dr Xuriguera. She studies materials engineering, and is currently engaged in finding a 3D printable biomaterial for mesh configuration in large abdominal wall defects.

Mercè is a devoted long-distance runner, and she loves visiting big cities and competing in marathons.

Dr Labró is a specialist in general and digestive surgery, with a clinical focus on coloproctology and colorectal surgery. Her work is particularly oriented toward colorectal diseases, including advanced techniques such as transanal endoscopic surgery.

She obtained her medical degree from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and completed her residency in General and Digestive Surgery at Hospital Universitari Parc Taulí (Sabadell). She later earned a PhD with distinction (cum laude), focusing on morbidity in transanal endoscopic surgery.

Since 2018, she has been working as a consultant at Hospital Sant Joan de Déu de Manresa, where she is involved in colorectal surgery and continuous clinical care.

In the research field, she has participated in multiple multicenter studies and has published in peer-reviewed journals in colorectal and endoscopic surgery. She has also presented numerous contributions at national and international conferences and collaborates in clinical protocols and multidisciplinary committees related to colorectal cancer.

She is also involved in teaching activities, including the supervision of undergraduate medical students and final degree projects.

In her free time, Meritxell enjoys doing sports, enjoying nature, and spending time with family and friends.

Dr. Leal is a specialist in Gastroenterology, with a particular focus on hepatology, digestive endoscopy, and inflammatory bowel disease.

He earned his medical degree from the University of Barcelona and completed his residency training in Gastroenterology at Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol in Badalona. He later expanded his training with a Master’s Degree in Advanced and Therapeutic Endoscopy from the University of Barcelona and obtained his PhD with a Cum Laude thesis on adverse events following ERCP in patients with liver cirrhosis and liver transplant recipients. He has also completed additional training in hepatology, digestive endoscopy, life support, and clinical management.

His professional career has been developed in the hospital care setting. After completing his residency, he worked at Hospital Comarcal Sant Jaume de Calella and, since 2012, has been practicing as a specialist physician at Hospital Universitari de Vic. His current clinical activity focuses on gastroenterology, hepatology, digestive endoscopy, and inflammatory bowel disease.

In the scientific field, he has authored publications in national and international journals and participated in specialized conferences, particularly in the areas of hepatology, inflammatory bowel disease, and digestive endoscopy. He has also been involved in university teaching and resident training.

Outside the professional setting, Carkes enjoys staying active through sports and particularly enjoys traveling and discovering new cultures. 

Dr Martínez is a Medical Oncology specialist and has been working at Hospital Sant Joan de Déu de Manresa, c/ del Doctor Joan Soler 1-3, 08243 Manresa (Barcelona), Spain since 2020. She leads the melanoma and other skin tumors area, the head and neck cancer area, is part of the breast cancer unit, and oversees clinical trials within Medical Oncology.

She graduated in Medicine from the University of Barcelona and completed her Medical Oncology residency at Corporació Sanitària Parc Taulí. She further expanded her training with the SEOM Master’s Degree in Medical Oncology, a Master’s Degree in Immuno-Oncology from the University of Navarra, and the official CNIO Molecular Oncology Master’s Degree. In 2026, she completed her PhD in Medicine and Translational Research at the Universitat de Barcelona, focused on circulating tumor DNA as a predictive biomarker of prolonged benefit from immunotherapy in melanoma, graduating with an Excellent Cum Laude distinction. 

Her clinical expertise is mainly focused on breast cancer, head and neck cancer, and cutaneous tumors. She has participated in phase I–III clinical trials as both principal investigator and sub-investigator, and maintains a translational research line aimed at identifying biomarkers of treatment response, particularly in immunotherapy.

She has a strong scientific track record, with close to one thousand citations and an h-index of 14. She is the lead of the Mechanisms of Disease (MoD) research group at IRIS-CC within the Cancer Profiling line, and is involved in competitive and collaborative projects in breast cancer, melanoma, thyroid cancer, and cancer prevention. She is also a member of the SEOM executive committees on Prevention and Environment.

In parallel, she is involved in academic teaching as an associate lecturer in the Medicine degree at the Universitat de Vic – Universitat Central de Catalunya, where she also supervises final degree projects.

In her free time, Clara enjoys playing tennis, reading, hanging out with friends, and going to the cinema.

Mar Masanés has worked at Althaia, Xarxa Assistencial Universitària de Manresa since 1989. After starting her career as a hospital nurse in the Internal Medicine, Oncology and Surgery services, in 2005, she initiated, together with a multidisciplinary team, the project of the Rapid Diagnosis Unit for Digestive Medicine and Cancer, of which she is currently the nurse manager.

In 2005, Mar obtained a Master’s Degree in Bases on Care and Education for People with Diabetes, taught at the University of Barcelona. Subsequently, she obtained a postgraduate diploma in Oncology Nursing from the Escola Universitària de l’Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau in 2008.

Her main teaching responsibilities include her participation in the postgraduate course in anaesthesia and resuscitation at the Escola Universitària de Ciències de la Salut de Manresa (2001-2006).

Mar Masanés is also an active member of the Colorectal and Gastrointestinal Tumour Committee.

Her hobbies include hiking and she is a devoted reader of good literature.

Matas has worked at Althaia, Xarxa Assistencial Universitària de Manresa since 2018. She is currently a PhD student in the Medicine and Biomedical Sciences programme at the Universitat de Vic-Universitat Central de Catalunya under the supervision of Dr. Ignasi Puig and Dr. Meritxell Gironella (Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, IDIBAPS). Her line of research focuses on analysing the expression of microRNAs in faeces to assess it as a potential biomarker for the development of colorectal cancer.

She obtained a Master’s Degree in Molecular Oncology at the Centre for Biosanitary Studies and Rey Juan Carlos University (Madrid, Spain).

Marta is a very active person who enjoys trekking, cycling and the tradition of “castells” – human towers.

Dr Olmedo began her career as an assistant doctor in the Surgery Department of the Hospital General de Manresa in 1996. At the end of her residency as a specialist in Family and Community Health, in 2000, she continued as an emergency surgeon until 2005, spending two years as a member of the outpatient emergency air team. Since 2003, Olmedo has been working as a Family doctor at ABS Manresa 3 (Althaia, Xarxa Assistencial Universitària de Manresa). Since 2012, she has been a lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine of the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, giving the course entitled “Family and Community Medicine”.

She is currently pursuing a doctorate at the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya under the supervision of Dr Emili Gené and Dr Xavier Calvet. Her line of research focuses on digestive pathology in Primary Care and the treatment of Helicobacter Pylori.

In her free time, Llum organizes weddings and events (she trained as a wedding planner at the Universitat de Girona), but what she likes most is celebrating every little moment with family and friends: for her “the best life is a shared life”.

Dr. Pelícano is a biologist with a background in genetics and translational clinical research. She trained at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, where she obtained her degree in Biology, a Master’s in Advanced Genetics, and a PhD in Cellular Biology. She later completed a Master’s degree in Human Genetics and Personalized Medicine.

Since 2022, she has been working at Hospital Sant Joan de Déu de Manresa as a study coordinator across several clinical areas, including Hematology, Oncology, Internal Medicine, and Digestive Diseases. In parallel, she is involved as a project coordinator in European initiatives under the Horizon Europe program, focused on clinical genomics and personalized medicine.

Her work focuses on the management and coordination of clinical studies and research projects, with a particular interest in the implementation of personalized medicine and the use of clinical and genomic data. She has participated in international meetings and conferences in the field of clinical genomics and translational research.

In her free time, Meritxell enjoys going for walks with her family and reading. She also enjoys bringing science closer to younger generations.

Dr Pla has been Clinical Head of Althaia’s Xarxa Assistencial Universitària de Manresa Internal Medicine outpatient area since 2021. He joined the centre in 2019 as an internal medicine specialist. He also became Associate Professor at Universitat de Vic-Universitat Central de Catalunya in the same year.

Pla obtained his Master’s degree in Systemic Autoimmune Diseases from UB-SEMI (Universidad de Barcelona – Sociedad Española de Medicina Interna) in 2017. At the University Hospital of Vic, where he worked between 2010 and 2018, he created the Rapid Diagnostic Unit at the Medical Day Hospital and set up the cooperation programme between Primary attention and Internal Medicine Department. He is currently working at the Medical Day Hospital and Rapid Diagnostic Unit and is a member of the Gastrointestinal tumour pathology committee.

He is an active member of GEAS – SEMI (Grupo de trabajo de enfermedades autoinmunes sistémicas – SEMI) and RESCLE (Registro español de ESCLErodermia).

Xavi likes to travel and discover new places, especially riding his motorcycle.

Dr Romero has worked as a rehabilitation doctor at Althaia Xarxa Assistencial Universitària de Manresa since 2005; and as an associate professor at the Universitat de Vic-Universitat Central de Catalunya since 2014.

Her lines of research focus on pelvic floor rehabilitation and the treatment of incontinence. As a result of this work, Romero obtained the European patent for the PelviBex Strenght, registered in 2015. It is an instrument capable of measuring pelvic floor muscle strength. Romero is currently working on a new patent in collaboration with the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, a penile clamp device for male urinary incontinence.

Dr Romero has an extensive track record as a participant in scientific meetings, with some fifty communications to congresses and some forty papers. She is also the author of some twenty international and national publications.

In the associative framework, Romero is the Coordinator of the pelvic floor working group of the Societat Catalana de Medicina física i Rehabilitació and Secretary of the working group on chronic pelvic pain of the Societat Catalana de Ginecologia.

Georgia is happy enjoying her free time with her friends and family.

Dr Rosiñol has been an active member of the Gastrointestinal Pathology Committee at Althaia, Xarxa Assistencial Universitària de Manresa since she arrived at the institution in 2009. She participates in the tumor committee and clinical sessions in which endoscopic and pathological images are correlated and she carries out histological assessment in research projects. Rosiñol is also a member of the SEAP (Societat Espanyola d’Anatomia Patològica) and the ACMCB (Acadèmia de Ciències Mèdiques de Catalunya i Balears), affiliated to the Societat Catalana d’Anatomia Patològica, and she teaches on the training programmes that these bodies organize.

Rosiñol manages the training activities of the Pathology service for technicians and pathologists and the rotations of residents of other specialities. She has also been internship tutor for students on the Advanced Vocational Training programme at her unit since 2019.

Òria loves nature and walking in the woods. 

 Dr. Salazar is a Radiology specialist and currently serves as Head of the Diagnostic Imaging Service at Hospital Sant Joan de Déu de Manresa since 2021. He also provides radiology services at Hospital de Berga, delivering conventional radiology, CT, MRI, ultrasound, mammography, and interventional procedures to a reference population of approximately 280,000 inhabitants.

He obtained his medical degree from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and completed his Radiology residency at Hospital Universitario Vall d’Hebron. He has developed extensive expertise in breast imaging and interventional radiology, with experience in leading national and international institutions and population-based breast cancer screening programs.

He holds a Master’s Degree in Senology and Breast Pathology (University of Barcelona) and a PhD in Medicine (Autonomous University of Barcelona), as well as postgraduate training in healthcare leadership and management, including a Strategic Vision and Medical Leadership program and a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Management (ESADE).

His research focuses on population-based screening programs and the implementation of new technologies in radiology, particularly the application of artificial intelligence in breast, prostate, and lung cancer screening. He is part of the research team of the European PRAISE-U project, aimed at developing prostate cancer screening models using MRI and image-guided biopsy.

He is also actively involved in teaching as coordinator of the Radiology residency training program.

Outside the professional setting, Juan Pablo is passionate about space and space exploration. In his free time, he enjoys sharing his passion for water polo with his children and taking care of his dog and his two cats.

Sanchon is a specialist in General and Digestive Surgery, with a particular focus on colorectal surgery.

She obtained her medical degree from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and completed her residency in General and Digestive Surgery at Hospital Sant Joan de Déu de Manresa (Manresa, Spain). She is currently pursuing a PhD in Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the Universitat de Vic – Universitat Central de Catalunya and has further complemented her training with a Master’s Degree in Colorectal Surgery awarded by the Spanish Association of Surgeons.

Her clinical practice focuses on digestive surgery, with particular interest in colorectal disease and minimally invasive surgery. She has actively participated in multicentre clinical research projects, particularly in the field of surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as in studies related to colorectal cancer.

In 2020, she received the Bages Young Physician Award for her work entitled Oncological Follow-up Beyond Three Years in Patients Undergoing TaTME for Rectal Cancer. She has published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and regularly presents her research at national and international conferences, where she has been the presenting author of several communications in the field of colorectal surgery.

In her free time, Lorena enjoys reading, doing arts and crafts, and spending time with her family.

Dr. Sanz is a biologist and genetic counsellor with extensive experience in the field of genetic counselling and hereditary cancer predisposition.

She holds a degree in Biology from the University of Barcelona and earned her PhD from the Autonomous University of Barcelona with the highest distinction, Excellent Cum Laude. She has further specialized through advanced studies in community health and development cooperation, breast cancer and cancer genetics, and has been accredited as a Registered Genetic Counsellor by the European Board of Medical Genetics.

Throughout her professional career, she has combined clinical and research activities in several genetic counselling and familial cancer units, including Hospital de Sant Pau, Clínica Corachan, Hospital Universitari de Vic, ICO-Badalona/Mataró, and Fundació Althaia. Since 2017, she has been Head of the Familial Cancer Unit at Hospital Sant Joan de Déu de Manresa.

In the scientific field, she has built a strong track record in hereditary cancer genetics, particularly in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, Lynch syndrome, and other hereditary predisposition syndromes. She is the author and co-author of numerous publications in national and international journals and has actively contributed to scientific conferences, clinical guidelines, and clinical practice manuals.

As a biologist, in her free time Judit finds in nature and animals a place of refuge where she can rest and regain energy. And, as someone passionate about anthropology, she seeks through journeys to ancestral cultures —still present in some corners of the world— a longing for a time when humanity was deeply rooted in its environment.

Dr Serra has worked at Althaia, Xarxa Assistencial Universitària de Manresa since 2021. Previously, she spent a large part of her professional career at the Institut Català d’Oncologia (ICO), from 2012 to 2021.

Her lines of research include the molecular classification of cancer and the search for the most effective treatments for the patients. Currently, she is working towards a PhD on the Biomedicine programme at the Universitat de Barcelona under the supervision of Dr Ramon Salazar and Dr Núria Sala. Since 2011, Serra has participated in three research projects funded by FIS grants awarded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III and the Horizon Europe Framework Programme of the European Commission, all of which have focused on biomedicine. She also has extensive experience in clinical trials.

Serra has taken an active part in drafting several medical guidelines on gastric, pancreatic and esophageal cancer commissioned by the ICO and the Institut Català de la Salut. She is also is a member of the EORTC Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer Group.

Òlbia loves traveling and going on family outings.

Dr. Serra is a specialist in General and Digestive Surgery, with a particular focus on coloproctology, inflammatory bowel disease, and pelvic floor disorders.

She obtained her medical degree from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and completed her residency in General and Digestive Surgery at Hospital Universitari Parc Taulí. She later earned a PhD in Medicine with a thesis on early discharge protocols in mild acute pancreatitis. She has further specialized in hepatobiliary surgery, coloproctology, robotic surgery, and pelvic floor disorders.

Since 2014, she has worked as a specialist surgeon, initially at Hospital Universitari Parc Taulí and, since 2021, at Fundació Althaia, where she is part of the coloproctology unit. She has contributed to the development of clinical pathways in inflammatory bowel disease and pelvic floor disorders.

Her research activity focuses on clinical studies in acute diverticulitis, mild acute pancreatitis, and colorectal surgery, with publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at national and international conferences. She is also involved in teaching and is an associate professor at the University of Vic – Central University of Catalonia

Sheila greatly enjoys sports, especially outdoors. She loves reading and leads a book club, and she also enjoys cooking and spending time playing with his two daughters, with whom she shares a love of books. 

Singla is a biologist specialized in bioinformatics and biostatistics, with experience in clinical data management and support for translational research. She obtained her degree in Biology from the University of Vic – Central University of Catalonia and completed a Master’s degree in Bioinformatics and Biostatistics from the Open University of Catalonia and the University of Barcelona.

She currently works at Hospital Sant Joan de Déu de Manresa, where she is involved in clinical research and innovation projects, performing bioinformatics analyses, statistical evaluations, and data management. She also contributes as a clinical study coordinator, particularly in the field of oncology.

She has participated in European projects and multicenter studies, as well as in the management of clinical registries and databases. Her work focuses on biomedical data analysis and supporting the implementation of personalized medicine.

Outside of charts and datasets, Alba enjoys doing crafts, practicing the martial art of Mugendo, and playing the cello—activities that help her stay active and explore her creativity. 

Dr. Suárez is a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology and currently serves as Coordinator of the Breast Pathology Unit at Hospital Sant Joan de Déu de Manresa. She obtained her medical degree from the University of Barcelona and completed her residency training at Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, where she also undertook a dedicated training period in the Breast Pathology Unit.

She further specialized with a Master’s degree in Senology from the University of Barcelona and obtained her PhD in 2025 with a thesis focused on breast cancer surgery. Since 2017, she has been working at Hospital Sant Joan de Déu de Manresa, primarily dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of breast diseases.

Her clinical and research activity focuses on breast cancer, particularly in the surgical approach and comprehensive patient management. She has contributed to national and international conferences and scientific publications in this field.

In her free time, Mireia enjoys indoor and outdoor sports, as well as spending time with family and friends.

Teller is a specialist in Gastroenterology, with a particular focus on inflammatory bowel disease and digestive endoscopy.

She obtained her medical degree from the University of Barcelona and completed her residency in Gastroenterology at Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau. She has further expanded her training with a Master’s degree in Digestive Diseases and advanced training in inflammatory bowel disease, hepatology, gastrointestinal motility, and capsule endoscopy.

Since 2022, she has worked as a consultant gastroenterologist at Hospital Sant Joan de Déu de Manresa, with experience in an accredited inflammatory bowel disease unit, inpatient care, and digestive endoscopy. During her residency, she completed an external rotation at Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia in the accredited inflammatory bowel disease unit and the gastrointestinal motility unit.

In the scientific field, she is actively involved in clinical research linked to the ENEIDA registry and the GETECCU group. She is the author of scientific publications in specialized journals, including first-author papers, and collaborates in multicenter studies in inflammatory bowel disease.

In teaching, she is a collaborating lecturer in the Department of Medicine at the University of Vic – Central University of Catalonia and teaches Gastroenterology at the MIR CTO academy.

Marta is an avid reader and has been painting with acrylics at an art school for quite some time. Within the artistic world, she also enjoys exploring other disciplines such as ink, charcoal, and watercolor. She leads an active lifestyle by exercising regularly and loves nature.

Vidal has been working at Althaia, Xarxa Assistencial Universitària de Manresa since 1992. She works as a stomal therapy nurse, specializing in managing ostomies and incontinence, her main lines of research.

The social aspect is essential in her activity. Faced with the need and demand she received from people with an ostomy, in 2018, Vidal created the Associació Catalana d’Ostomitzats Catalunya Central (ACOCC). She is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Associació Catalana d’Ostomitzats (ACO).

Vidal also participates as a nurse expert in the GESTO working group, formed by stomal therapy nurses from all over the state, whose objective is to share research projects, educational material, action protocols, and visibility campaigns with professionals in the field. She is also a member of the scientific group Puntos de encuentro de Cataluña.

At the teaching level, Vidal teaches in training programs on transanal irrigation, pelvic floor, ostomies, and cures for other nurses; and she is a tutor for the practical training of students of Nursing Degree and Resident Nurses of the Multiprofessional Teaching Unit AFIC Catalunya Central.

Vidal obtained her Master’s Degree in Nursing in Coloproctology and Stomatherapy from UFV Universidad Francisco de Vitoria in 2019.

Cristina loves hiking and enjoying family and friends.

Dr Vilaseca has been Head of the Primary Care Department at Fundació Althaia Xarxa Assistencial Universitària Manresa since 2022. A specialist in Family and Community Medicine, he has over 20 years of clinical experience as a primary care physician in different healthcare centres across Catalonia.

In the academic field, he has been an Associate Professor at the Universitat de Vic – Universitat Central de Catalunya since 2017, and previously at the University of Barcelona, where he led the Unit of History of Medicine. He is a member of the Royal Academy of Medicine of Catalonia and actively participates in the training of healthcare professionals, serving as a tutor for the Master’s Degree in Primary Care Research at Miguel Hernández University. 

His research activity is mainly focused on primary care and early diagnosis of prostate cancer, with a key role in the European project PRAISE-U. In parallel, he has developed a research line in the history of medicine, initiated during his PhD, with several scientific and educational publications in this field. He is the author of numerous scientific articles and has participated in national and international competitive research projects.

He has been actively involved in scientific societies at both national and international levels, including leadership roles in organizations such as WONCA Europe and the Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine. He has also collaborated with the World Health Organization on projects aimed at strengthening primary care systems.

In his free time, Josep Maria enjoys swimming, walking, and making music.

Cano has worked as Technical Project Manager of the research group since 2017. She provides support for all aspects of projects, including communication needs. She also provides technical support on project management in Althaia’s Research and Innovation Unit. She is the administrator of AEG-REDCap, as well as the technical manager of the European Registry on the management of H. pylori infection (Hp-EuReg).

Cano has a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and has worked mainly in written press and communication agencies since 2000. In 2007, she became the head of Sports and Culture sections in local newspaper Diari d’Igualada-Regió7. At the same time, she managed the communication department of the Zoom European TV movies festival for four years, and contributed to the national newspaper La Vanguardia as a photographer and editor. She then moved to the healthcare sector and has been working at Althaia, Xarxa Assistencial Universitària de Manresa since 2014.

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