The appointments mark a new stage of consolidation and development for the Cancer Centre, following its accreditation as a Comprehensive Cancer Centre by the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI).
Both have extensive clinical, research and academic careers linked to Hospital Clínic Barcelona, IDIBAPS and the University of Barcelona, and will bring their experience to the development of two strategic areas for the 4CB.
The appointments build on the work carried out to date by Dr Elias Campo, Director of Research of the 4CB since its creation, and Dr Álvaro Urbano, head of the education area.
Susana Puig, new Director of Research
Dr Susana Puig is a dermatologist at Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Director of IDIBAPS and Director of Research at Hospital Clínic Barcelona since 2025. She is a leading specialist in melanoma and skin cancer and heads the IDIBAPS research group Melanoma: Imaging, Genetics and Immunology.
Her career combines clinical practice, translational research and scientific management, with a particular focus on genetics, prevention, early diagnosis and personalised medicine in melanoma.
As Director of Research of the 4CB, she will help strengthen the integration of cancer research across Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS and the University of Barcelona, foster cross-cutting collaboration between groups and specialties, and promote translational projects that bring scientific advances closer to patients.
Priorities for this new stage also include encouraging synergies between clinical, translational and basic research, increasing participation in competitive projects and multicentre studies, and continuing to build an ecosystem that supports innovation and excellence in cancer research.
Teresa Macarulla takes on the education directorship
Dr Teresa Macarulla is Head of the Medical Oncology Department at Hospital Clínic Barcelona and a specialist in gastrointestinal tumours, particularly pancreatic cancer and biliary tract tumours.
Throughout her career she has combined clinical practice with research and professional training. She recently took on, together with Dr Tian Tian, the leadership of the IDIBAPS Translational Oncology of Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer group.
As Director of Education of the 4CB, she will drive a cross-cutting training strategy aimed at professionals working in the field of cancer, strengthening multidisciplinary training and knowledge transfer between clinical care, research and education.
The new directorship will also work to enhance the Cancer Centre’s own training activities, facilitate access to specialised training programmes and create new opportunities for the professional development of the next generations of specialists, researchers and other professionals working in oncology.
A new stage for the 4CB
The new appointments continue the work of Dr Elias Campo and Dr Álvaro Urbano, who have played a key role in building and developing the Cancer Centre since its earliest stages.
During this time, both have made a decisive contribution to advancing the 4CB’s research and training activities, fostering collaboration between clinicians, researchers and educators, and to the process that culminated in the OECI accreditation as a Comprehensive Cancer Centre. The 4CB is especially grateful for the dedication, leadership and commitment they have shown over these years.
“The 4CB is now entering a new stage of development after reaching a milestone as important as OECI accreditation. I would especially like to thank Elias Campo and Álvaro Urbano for their fundamental contribution to building the Cancer Centre, and to welcome Susana Puig and Teresa Macarulla. Their experience and leadership will help us strengthen two essential areas, research and education, always with the aim of better integrating clinical care, research, innovation and training for the benefit of patients,” says Dr Aleix Prat, Director of the 4CB.
With these appointments, the Cancer Centre begins a new stage in research and education, with the aim of strengthening the integration of clinical care, research, innovation and training, and continuing its consolidation as a leading comprehensive cancer centre.
