Dr Román Pérez, director of the Bioengineering Institute of Technology and vice-rector for Research, Innovation and Knowledge Transfer at UIC Barcelona, has been appointed professor of the University in a ceremony held on 23 July in the auditorium of Hospital Universitari General de Catalunya, becoming the first professor in the Department of Bioengineering.

The ceremony was attended by the rector of UIC Barcelona, Dr Alfonso Méndiz, who accompanied Dr Pérez together with members of the Executive Committee of the University's Board of Governors, of which he is a member, as well as colleagues, friends and family.

As chair of the panel, Dr Cristina Monforte, professor in the Department of Nursing at UIC Barcelona and vice-rector for Planning, Quality and Strategic Development, welcomed attendees and introduced the panel members: Dr Oğuzhan Gündüz, a researcher in biomaterials and tissue engineering at Marmara University, and Dr Josep Samitier, professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Barcelona, director of IBEC for 20 years and currently chief executive of Fraunhofer Spain.

A career driven by curiosity and commitment

Dr Miguel Ángel Mateos, researcher at the Bioengineering Institute of Technology and deputy director of the Department of Bioengineering, presented Dr Pérez’s achievements. In his speech, he highlighted the new professor’s humility, perseverance, generosity and commitment, as well as his ability to help people and teams grow. “Dr Román is a good person with an exceptional ability to help those around him grow and to build strong teams,” said Dr Mateos.

Dr Pérez then delivered his inaugural lecture, in which he reflected on some of the principles that have guided his scientific and academic career, including curiosity and adaptability. His research focuses on the design of biomaterials to support tissue regeneration, an area in which he seeks to understand natural regenerative processes and apply this knowledge to the development of new solutions. “As a scientist, you need to be curious to discover new things and to remain at the frontiers of knowledge,” he explained.

Dr Román Pérez holds a degree in Chemistry from the University of Barcelona and a PhD from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, with a thesis focused on calcium phosphate cements. During his doctoral studies, he spent nine months in a research laboratory at Harvard University.

After completing his doctorate, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering in South Korea, University College Dublin and Toronto Metropolitan University. He subsequently held a tenure-track position at Dankook University, also in South Korea.

His teaching career has been linked to UIC since 2017, when he launched the Bachelor's Degree in Bioengineering, which he directed until 2023. He currently leads the Bioengineering Institute of Technology and serves as vice-rector for Research, Innovation and Knowledge Transfer at UIC Barcelona.

His research focuses on the design and manufacture of biomaterials that incorporate biological molecules and cells to promote tissue regeneration. This work has led to his inclusion for two consecutive years in Stanford University's prestigious Ranking of the World Scientists: World's Top 2% Scientists, which recognises the world's most influential researchers.

Recognition of academic excellence and institutional commitment

In closing the ceremony, Dr Cristina Monforte highlighted Dr Pérez’s career, which includes leading eight research projects, publishing more than 100 scientific papers, supervising doctoral theses and developing extensive international experience. Dr Pérez also holds 10 patents, five of which were developed at UIC, including the solid cosmetic product Drymelt, presented at 4YFN 2025 under the name Biomelt.

Dr Monforte also noted that the process for appointment to the professorship at UIC assesses not only scientific and academic excellence, but also the embodiment of the institution’s values. In this regard, she highlighted curiosity and the pursuit of truth, professional excellence, commitment to science and teaching, and placing the person at the centre of all activity as defining features of Dr Pérez’s career.

His appointment as professor therefore recognises a career dedicated to research in bioengineering and biomaterials, the training of new researchers, and the development of Bioengineering at UIC.