The sessions highlighted the collaborative and challenge-oriented research carried out at Vall d’Hebron with the aim of generating transformative impact in the field of health.On December 4, the Auditorium of the Central Building of the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) hosted the 19th Scientific Day and the 29th Annual Vall d’Hebron Conference. Throughout the day, outstanding research projects driven by Vall d’Hebron to improve patients’ health were presented.
The sessions began with an institutional welcome by Dr. Begoña Benito, Director of VHIR; Esther Rodríguez, Deputy Medical Director of Vall d’Hebron University Hospital; and Mª Isabel Rodríguez, Deputy Nursing Director of the Hospital. “The Scientific Day is when we share the knowledge we have across the Campus and the research projects we lead, and it is a great opportunity to learn from one another,” said Dr. Benito.
Dr. Laura Soucek, Co-Director of the Preclinical and Translational Research Program and Head of the Antitumor Therapies Modeling Group at the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), and founder of the spin-off Peptomyc, opened the scientific presentations. Her talk focused on targeting the Myc protein for cancer treatment. Dr. Soucek explained the challenges of inhibiting this protein and the development of Omomyc, the first Myc-targeted drug capable of suppressing tumor growth. To date, Omomyc has shown promising safety and antitumor activity in phase I clinical trials in humans.
Afterwards, seventeen VHIR researchers presented some of the institution’s main research lines. First, we heard from representatives of the various research areas (Chronic and Prevalent Diseases; Brain, Mind and Behavior; Cancer; Infectious, Systemic and Acute Diseases; Diagnostics, Treatment and Technology; and Child and Women’s Health).
Following a short break, the strategic spaces for collaborative research (COREs) were presented, featuring challenge-oriented research (Innovative and Advanced Therapies; Transplantation and Immunomodulation; AI, Data, Imaging and Digital Health; Environmental and Public Health; Rare Diseases; and Aging), along with the programs addressing cross-cutting topics at VHIR (Gender and Diversity in Health Research; and Simulation Research and Educational Tools). Finally, projects impacting health from the perspective of nursing, maternal-fetal medicine, and patient participation were presented.
Once the talks concluded, the roundtable “Advances in research assessment: lessons from the CoARA framework” took place. In 2022, VHIR joined this European initiative aimed at establishing a research assessment system grounded in peer review as its cornerstone—that is, a primarily qualitative evaluation supported by high-quality quantitative indicators. The session highlighted the need to acknowledge all academic and scientific activities undertaken by researchers, not only their scientific output.
The afternoon sessions also adopted a participatory and playful tone with a Kahoot that revealed all kinds of curiosities about VHIR.
Dr. Albert Salazar, CEO of Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, closed the event by stressing: “We must work together, collaboratively, all professionals across the campus, to improve diagnosis, treatment and follow-up for patients. And for that, the work carried out in the laboratories and through research is essential.”
Poster Competition
The day concluded with one of the most anticipated moments of the year. After the jury’s evaluation, the awardees of the poster competition were announced. This year, more than 100 posters were submitted across revamped categories based on the focus of the research rather than the presenter’s career stage. The winners in each category were:
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Scientific Excellence: Khloud Abdo Elsharawy, postdoctoral researcher in the VHIR Childhood Cancer and Hematological Diseases Group, with the poster “Chromatin Remodelers as a Therapeutic Achilles’ Heel in Pediatric Ependymoma”.
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Scientific, Translational and Social Impact: Valeria Tubita, postdoctoral researcher in the VHIR Biomedical Research in Gynecology Group, with the poster “A mouse PDX clinical trial reveals broad efficacy of niraparib and vc-seco-DUBA anti HER2 ADC SYD985 in HER2/neu expressing endometrial cancer”.
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Disruptive Research: Thommas Glynn, from the VHIR Clinical Biochemistry, Drug Delivery and Therapy Group, with the poster “RadioSomes: Leveraging Cancer Communication for High Precision Radiotherapeutic Intervention in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma”.
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Inclusion and Gender Perspective in Research: Sabrina Ayelén Gatti, from the VHIR Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, with the poster “Sex-specific metabolic and behavioral effects of ketogenic diet in a neuromelanin-based mouse model of prodromal Parkinson’s disease”.
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Care and Quality of Life: Anna Saló, from the VHIR Childhood Cancer and Hematological Diseases Group, with the poster “OBRINT PORTES: Art and wellbeing in adolescent cancer”.
Two special recognitions were also awarded:
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Best Visual Design and Communication: Marta Jover González, nurse at VHIO, with the poster “Self-management of anticoagulant therapy: Beyond clinical optimization”.
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Audience Choice Award: Samira Serhir Sgheiri, clinical trial coordinator at VHIO, with the poster “Empowering Patients: The Role of Clinical Trial Coordinators in Enhancing Care and Quality of Life”.
Finally, the winning proposal in the internal contest to name VHIR rooms was presented. The winning proposal, “Women Who Made History in Science”, submitted by Maria Boix, nurse in the VHIR Psychiatry, Mental Health and Addictions Group, aims to recognize and give visibility to women scientists who have marked a turning point in research and medicine.
