This Friday, June 7, the first edition of the Research Conference of the Epidemiology, Public Health, Cancer Prevention and Palliative Care Program (EPIBELL) of the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) took place.

The main purpose of the conference was to strengthen the connections between the seven research groups that make up the programme and to exchange knowledge through the presentation of outstanding research projects. The event was held at the Barradas Auditorium, in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, and was attended by more than 125 people.

After the words of the director of IDIBELL, Gabriel Capellá, which opened the event, the first round of presentations of the research groups was made by the coordinator of the EPIBELL Program and head of the Tobacco Control research group, Esteve Fernández. Next, more than 10 researchers were able to present the projects they are working on with the aim of sharing their progress, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and identifying new opportunities for joint research.

“The EPIBELL Conference is a key event to promote networking among all members of the program: researchers meet to discuss, share information and initiate new projects,” said Fernández.

The EPIBELL Program comprises a multidisciplinary group of professionals made up of epidemiologists, pathologists, geneticists, biologists, nutritionists, computer scientists, statistical technicians, economists and specialists in research support and administration.  Together they develop projects and research studies related to the causes of cancer and its prevention, early diagnosis and the evaluation and improvement of the quality of cancer care.

The Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) is a biomedical research center created in 2004. It is participated by the Bellvitge University Hospital and the Viladecans Hospital of the Catalan Institute of Health, the Catalan Institute of Oncology, the University of Barcelona and the City Council of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat.

IDIBELL is a member of the Campus of International Excellence of the University of Barcelona HUBc and is part of the CERCA institution of the Generalitat de Catalunya. In 2009 it became one of the first five Spanish research centers accredited as a health research institute by the Carlos III Health Institute. In addition, it is part of the “HR Excellence in Research” program of the European Union and is a member of EATRIS and REGIC. Since 2018, IDIBELL has been an Accredited Center of the AECC Scientific Foundation (FCAECC).