IDIBAPS-Hospital Clínic Barcelona successfully held its first Women Biology and Health Workshop at Esther Koplowitz Centre, a day of activities dedicated to health research with a gender perspective and to highlighting the role of women in biomedical research. The event, which took place in the Esteve Auditorium of the Esther Koplowitz Centre (CEK), was sold out and brought together researchers from various fields for discussion and connection between generations of female scientists.
The welcome address was delivered by Antoni Plasència, the Catalan Ministry of Health’s Director of Research and Innovation, who stressed ‘the importance of incorporating the gender perspective as a structural element in research to move towards more equitable and precise medicine’.
The workshop featured international experts such as Stanford University’s Londa Schiebinger and included high-level talks about innovative basic and clinical research projects focused on women’s biology and health through all stages of their lives. The sessions sparked enriching discussions and highlighted how research with a gender perspective not only promotes equality, but also improves the quality and impact of results, whilst opening the door to exploring new aspects of our biology and promoting opportunities for innovation.
The event’s closing address was given by Teresa Sanchis, the Catalan Ministry of Research and Universities’ Director of Research, who congratulated the organisation for ‘its successful initiative that bolsters the Catalan research system’s commitment to gender equality and the science of excellence’.
One of the most outstanding aspects of the workshop was the participation of young researchers. Through poster sessions and flash talks, forty young female scientists had the opportunity to present their projects in a cooperative and enriching environment and build contacts with other professionals in the field. The best projects were even chosen for awards.
- The award for the best flash talk was given to Alba Sabaté for ‘Sex-dependent regulation of CFD/C3AR1 signalling drives bat sexual dimorphism’ and to Marina Mitjans for ‘Sex differences in the genetic basis of schizophrenia’.
- The award for the best poster was given to Paz Cartas-Cejudo for ‘Sex-dependent precuneal proteome in Alzheimer’s disease: repurposing of antineoplastic drugs’ and to Mariona Generó for ‘Maternal lifestyle interventions during pregnancy modulate infant gut microbiota: IMPACT BCN’.
Both the speakers and the audience praised the scientific quality, organisation and networking opportunity provided by the Women Biology and Health Workshop. With this event, IDIBAPS reaffirms its commitment to promoting research that is more inclusive, equitable and representative of society at large.
At this link, you can view the photo album of the Women Biology and Health Workshop 2025.
