Author Biographies

Dr. Anna Puigdellívol Sánchez has been a medical doctor (M.D) since 1995 and completed both her Ph.D. (University of Barcelona –UB-) and the Family and Community Medicine Specialization (St Paul's Hospital, Barcelona) in 2001. She is an associate professor teaching anatomy at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Barcelona (at different periods from 1995) and a Family Physician in Primary Care at the Terrassa Health Consortium from 2001. She also has been teaching ‘pathology’ in a Master's course associated with the Pompeu Fabra University (2013-2019), but also physiopathology in podology (2019-2024), structure and function in the nursery (2018-2023) and medicine (2020-2022) at the UVic-Central University of Catalonia. Her nerve regeneration publications were performed in collaboration with the Karolinska Institute during her predoctoral and early postdoctoral stages. Anatomical 3D and quantification techniques were later applied to neuraxial anesthesia, brain connectomics and advanced confocal microscopy, publishing articles in reputed journals and book chapters. She is now focused on several ongoing observational clinical trials related to COVID-19 and optimizing needle insertions in neuraxial anesthesia. She is member of the Spanish Society of Neurosciences (SENC), the Spanish and Catalan Society of Family Medicine (SemFYC-CAMFIC), and the European Society for Regional Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine (ESRA).
Marta Juanes González is an experienced nurse specializing in geriatric and medical--surgical care. She holds a degree in nursing from the Escuela Universitaria de Enfermería Creu Roja (1994) and a postgraduate diploma in primary care nursing from the University of Barcelona (2010). Throughout her career, she has worked for the Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa, where she has held various positions, including in acute geriatric units and surgical medical specialties. In addition to her clinical work, Marta has engaged in continuous professional development, completing numerous courses in areas such as electrocardiography, respiratory and abdominal auscultation, and basic life support. She is also experienced in bandaging techniques for primary care and geriatric patient care. She has participated in several health projects and volunteer campaigns, including medical missions in Perú and Chile, aimed at supporting underserved populations. She is also involved in healthcare improvement initiatives, such as organizing workshops to support caregivers at the Centre d’Atenció Primària Anton Borja, where she has worked since 2018.
Dr. Ana Isabel Calderón Valdiviezo holds a degree in medicine and surgery from the University of Guayaquil, Ecuador, and a master’s degree in neuropsychological diagnosis and rehabilitation from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain. Dr. Calderón has served as a neuropsychologist at the Baca Ortiz Pediatric Hospital in Quito, Ecuador, and currently works as a primary care physician in Rubí (Barcelona, Spain). Her research primarily focuses on cerebral vascular diseases, epilepsy surgery, and neuroimaging techniques, with several publications in esteemed journals such as Revista Ecuatoriana de Neurología and Neurología. Dr. Calderón has contributed to advancing neuropsychological approaches in pediatric and adult populations, particularly in epilepsy and cognitive impairments related to neurological disorders. She has also been a speaker at international conferences and symposiums in Europe and Latin America. Dr. Calderón’s work is characterized by a strong commitment to improving patient care through multidisciplinary collaboration and evidence-based practices in neuropsychology.
Dr. Roger Valls Foix holds a degree in medicine from the University of Barcelona (1998) and also holds a degree in pharmacy (1992) from the same institution, specializing in family and community medicine (2005) and he obtained a PhD from the University of Barcelona (UB) in 2008. His academic career was initiated as an associate professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy (UB) between 1994 and 1998. He has also served as a tutor for family medicine residents at the Terrassa Health Consortium since 2009. Dr. Valls has stayed at the Central Hospital of Helsinki and the Goethe University in Frankfurt. His research focuses on ocular drug delivery systems. He has published several scientific papers and contributed to books. Additionally, he holds a patent related to a system for controlling daily salt intake. Clinically, Dr. Valls has over 16 years of experience as a primary care physician, with roles in various healthcare centers, including the Centre de Salut Anton de Borja, where he currently works. He is also a regular member of the Royal Academy of Pharmacy of Catalonia and he is member of the Spanish Society of Family Medicine (SemFYC). Thus, his expertise spans clinical practice, academic instruction, and research in both the medical and pharmaceutical fields.
Marta González Salvador holds a degree in nursing from the University of Barcelona (UB, 2009) and a postgraduate diploma in manufacturing pharmacological products (Romanica Institute, 2013) and in primary care nursing (2015, UB). Throughout her career, she has worked for the Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa, where she has held various positions in the hospitalization facilities in the Hospital of Terrassa (2009-2014) and as family nurser (2014-2018). From 2018 she has been working as a technician in the Management, Control and Information Analysis Unit of the Hospital of Terrassa.
Dr. Celia Lozano Paz was born in1970 in Barcelona. She holds a degree in medicine and surgery from the University of Barcelona (1994). She has completed various specialized trainings, including an internal medicine PhD program and several certifications related to diabetes management. She is also a certified family and community medicine specialist through the MIR system, with practical training at the Cruz Roja Hospital in Barcelona. Dr. Lozano has over 20 years of professional experience in primary care and emergency services. She has worked in various hospitals and clinics, including trauma and internal medicine emergencies. Since 2004, she has been a family doctor at the primary health care center Anton Borja in Rubí. Her academic contributions include presenting at international and national medical congresses, notably on topics such as Helicobacter pylori and hypertension in diabetic patients. Additionally, she has been involved in teaching medical students at both the Autonomous University of Barcelona and the International University of Catalonia. Dr. Lozano continues to update her medical knowledge having attended numerous courses and seminars on cardiology, neurology, and diabetes management, among others. She also serves as a tutor for family medicine residents and has led workshops on various medical topics.
Josep VIDAL-ALABALL holds a PhD in telemedicine and a degree in medicine, specializing in family medicine, from Cardiff University. He works as a family doctor and is the head of the Research and Innovation Unit of the Primary Care Service of Central Catalonia, where he coordinates a team of clinical researchers focused on research and innovation in health services, mainly oriented towards improving the efficiency of primary care services. He is part of the PROSAARU research group (Health Promotion in the Rural Area), where he leads a line of research on new technologies and telemedicine. He is an adjunct Professor of Medicine at the University of Vic—Central University of Catalonia and a member of EURIPA—the European Association of Rural Doctors—as well as a member of the assembly of the WONCA Working Group on Rural Practice (RuralWonca).
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