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Joan Guinovart. Photo: IRB Barcelona.
 05.06.2015

Joan J. Guinovart, Gaudí Gresol Prizes awardee

Joan J. Guinovart and director of the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), headquartered at the Parc Científic de Barcelona, has received one of the awards conferred on the 9th edition of the Gaudí Gresol Prizes for his excellent career within the category of science. These awards, organized by the Gresol Foundation and the Reus Town Council, recognise the merits and dedication of individuals with outstanding personal development and career paths to a range of fields.

Joan J. Guinovart (Tarragona, 1947) holds a degree in Chemistry and a PhD in Pharmacy from the UB. He is  professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the University of Barcelona (UB), founder and director of IRB Barcelona. Moreover, he is full member of the Spanish Royal Academy of Pharmacy and the Catalan Royal Academy of Pharmacy, member of the Institute for Catalan Studies (IEC) and the Academia Europaea. He has received the Cross of Sant Jordi and the Narcís Monturiol Medal of the Government of Catalonia, the Prat de la Riba Prize of IEC and the FEBS Diplôme d’Honneur, among other awards. Dr Guinovart’s research activity focuses on glycogen metabolism, which is closely related to diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders, such as Lafora disease.

A platform for recognition of the efforts and excellence

The Gresol Foundation was set up to promote the exchange of ideas and to foster and strengthen networking of business interests in the area. Currently, it comprises more than 150 representatives from some of the most important companies in the area. This year, the Gaudí Gresol Prizes went to the businessman Víctor Grífols (business leadership); the architect Rafael Moneo (architecture); the actor Josep Maria Pou (art and theatre); the journalist Josep Maria Martí (journalism); the restaurateur Elena Arzak (gastronomy); the actress Maribel Verdú (cinema); the writer Xavier Bosch (literature); the actor Toni Albà (television); and the missionary Maria Isabel Correig (solidarity).

The award ceremony takes place on Thursday 11 June in the Antoni Gaudí Auditorium at the Exhibition and Convention Centre of Reus. The event will include a fundraising dinner (55 euros). Raised money will be given to the project carried out by the ELIKYA Centre for needy children in Congo, which is headed by the nun Maria Isabel Correig, one of the awardees.

More information: IRB Barcelona website [+]