On July 21, Dr. Anna Veiga Lluch was appointed by the IDIBELL Board of Trustees, at the proposal of the Directorate, Ombudsperson of the institution. Anna Veiga takes over from Dr. Xavier Bosch, outgoing Ombudsperson, who has held this position since 2015. In this regard, the Management thanks him for his dedication, which has been key to starting to effectively focus on good practices in the IDIBELL.
IDIBELL’s Ombudsperson has the responsibility of acting as a mediator between an investigator from the institute who detects a possible misconduct and any person suspected of scientific misconduct. Likewise, she will act to ensure the integrity of the institution’s research and will act as a confidential advisor in questions related to science and career management. Its position mainly guarantees independence from other institutional bodies, the confidentiality of its actions, the proven experience in the scientific world and its management.
Dr. Veiga is a biologist, researcher and university professor; specialized in assisted reproduction, clinical embryology, reproductive genetics and bioethics; as well as in the study of stem cells and their clinical applications in the treatment of degenerative diseases. In addition, she is the director of the Barcelona Stem Cell Bank (B-SCB), as well as the head of the research group on Therapy with pluripotent stem cells at IDIBELL and P-CMR[C]. As an experienced and award-winning scientist, she is an independent person, highly qualified and of great personal integrity, essential requirements to carry out the Ombudsperson task. Previously, she has already been member of several biomedical research associations and bioethics committees, such as the Commission for Bioethics in Biomedical Research of the Department of Health of the Government of Catalonia.
Graduated in Biology from the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), she has a PhD in Biology from the same university, is the coordinator of the Master in Reproductive Biology and Assisted Reproduction Techniques of the Quirón-Dexeus University Institute and the UAB, and is an associate professor at the Pompeu Fabra University (UPF).
In 2004 she received the Creu de Sant Jordi from the Generalitat de Catalunya and in 2013 the Medal of Honor from the Catalan Parliament. On the other hand, in May 2015 she was named Doctor Honoris Causa by the Central University of Catalonia.
The appointment coincides with the constitution of the Research Integrity Committee (CIR), chaired by the Ombudsperson and including different members of the IDIBELL research community (Xavier Bosch, Josep Maria Cruzado, Isabel Fabregat, Itziar de Lecuona, Ernest Nadal, Rafael Máñez, Concepció Soler, Enric Sospedra and Jordi Trelis). The CIR, like the Ombudsperson, acts independently and at the service of the research staff of the centre, aims to support the quality of the research and help preserve its integrity. Likewise, it will arbitrate the consultations and conflicts that may arise, and will assist, when necessary, the Ombudsperson.
Moreover, the “Guide to Good Practices in Research in Health Sciences” has been adapted to the CERCA code of conduct as well as updated in its specific content in accordance with good scientific practice in our environment.