Dr Mayka Sánchez played a central role at the 2025 European Iron Club Meeting (EIC 2025), one of the foremost international scientific congresses in this field, held in Innsbruck, Austria, on 4 and 5 December. During the meeting, Dr Sánchez, an international authority on iron metabolism, served as co-chair of the session “Systemic Iron Metabolism”, in which she coordinated presentations and moderated expert discussions on the latest scientific research into how the body regulates iron and how disruptions in this process can lead to hereditary and acquired diseases.

Dr Mayka Sánchez’s involvement as session co-chair underscores the importance of the research conducted by the research group she heads at UIC Barcelona, Hereditary HematoLogy and Iron Metabolism – HELAINE.

EIC 2025 also served as the venue for the General Assembly of the EFAPH (European Federation of Associations of Patients with Haemochromatosis), a European federation that brings together associations of patients affected by this genetic disease characterised by excessive iron accumulation in the body. Dr Mayka Sánchez, vice-president of the Federation, played an active role, offering scientific and strategic insights into the present and future challenges of haemochromatosis across Europe.

During the Assembly, Dr Sánchez delivered three educational and scientific presentations on emerging drugs, the most significant developments presented at the international BioIron 2025 conference and the main conclusions of the European meeting held in Innsbruck. These talks reinforced EFAPH’s role as a leading source of information and support for patients with haemochromatosis.

The meeting also served to appoint the EFAPH's new president, with Andrés Vadillo (Spain) taking on the role. With this appointment and Dr Mayka Sánchez’s position as vice-president, Spain has strengthened its presence in the European context of patient associations, fostering closer connections between research, clinical practice and these organisations.

Dr Mayka Sánchez’s involvement in these international events highlights UIC Barcelona’s dedication to socially impactful biomedical research and the sharing of knowledge to enhance people’s quality of life.