Dr. Joan Comella Carnicé, director of the Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, is appointed Full Member of the Reial Acadèmia de Medicina de Catalunya

The director of the Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu (IRSJD) has been appointed Full Member of the Reial Acadèmia de Medicina de Catalunya (RAMC), a recognition that highlights his scientific career and his contribution to the advancement of medicine and biomedical research.

Reial Acadèmia de Medicina de Catalunya

The Reial Acadèmia de Medicina de Catalunya (RAMC) is a historic scientific institution founded in the 18th century that promotes scientific debate, the dissemination of medical knowledge, and advisory activities in health and medicine.

The appointment of Dr. Joan Comella Carnicé as a Full Member of the RAMC represents one of the most relevant distinctions in the medical and scientific field in Catalonia. With this appointment, the Academy recognizes the work carried out throughout his career in the field of biomedical research, as well as his commitment to the generation and transfer of knowledge to improve public health.

Joan Comella Carnicé

He holds a degree in Medicine and Surgery and a PhD in Neuroscience from the Universitat de Barcelona (UB), and is a Professor of Cell Biology at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB).

He began his professional career in 1991 as an independent researcher at the Universitat de Lleida, where he created a specialized research group. In the field of management, he has served as Vice-Rector for Research at the Universitat de Lleida, Director of the Agencia Nacional de Evaluación y Prospectiva de la Investigación (ANEP), Director of the Fundació Espanyola per a la Ciència i la Tecnologia (FECYT), and Director of the Fundació Catalana per a la Recerca i la Innovació (FCRI), in addition to holding other representative roles in societies, foundations, and associations related to research in Catalonia, Spain, and Europe.

From September 2009 to 2022, he led the l'Institut de Recerca de l'Hospital Vall d'Hebron (VHIR), being responsible for research at the Campus Hospitalari de Vall d'Hebron. After this period, he went on to lead the Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu and the Direcció de Recerca, Innovació i Aprenentatge de SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital.

Scientific contribution to research

Dr. Comella has developed a scientific career spanning more than three decades focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate neuronal survival and death, both in development and disease. His research group made significant contributions to the characterization of neurotrophin signaling pathways and the identification of apoptotic processes associated with trophic deprivation, helping to establish the active and regulated role of neuronal death. Subsequently, his research evolved towards the intersection between neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, with notable contributions to the study of the FAIM-L protein as a key regulator of neuronal sensitivity to death signals. His scientific work has opened new perspectives in the understanding of diseases such as Alzheimer's and tauopathies, identifying potential therapeutic targets and contributing to redefining the concept of the dynamic balance between neuronal survival and death.

Official induction ceremony at the RAMC

The official induction ceremony at the Reial Acadèmia de Medicina de Catalunya (RAMC) took place yesterday, Sunday, March 21, 2026, during a formal session in which the new member delivered his inaugural speech.

Dr. Comella offered a personal and professional reflection on his scientific career, highlighting both his contribution as the head of a basic research group and his experience in research management, and emphasizing the fundamental role of teams, mentors, and institutions in the construction of scientific knowledge.