ISGlobal Alliance

On June 30, 2016, the merger between the Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL) and the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) was completed. This was the culmination of an alliance process that started in 2013 with the aim of consolidating a stronger and more competitive centre of global health research at the international level. As part of this strategic alliance, ISGlobal integrated in 2015 its research centre at the time: the Centre for Research in International Health (CRESIB).

The Barcelona Institute for Global Health that emerges from this double fusion is expected to become one of the leading European institutions in global health.

In order to achieve a full integration, the centres developed a joint strategic plan for the transition phase that included a single mission, vision and shared values. At the operational level, joint direction, executive and scientific committees were put in place. The mission of these committees is to support the transition phase and promote a common organizational culture in all the layers of the institution.

Thanks to the integration, the research expertise now covers a broad range of topics, including infectious diseases and non-communicable chronic diseases, with a strong focus on their environmental, social and economic determinants.

The current research programs of the integrated ISGlobal are:

1) Communicable diseases:

• Malaria
• HIV/AIDS
• Maternal, child and reproductive health
• Chagas disease and other neglected tropical diseases
• Viral and bacterial infections

2) Non communicable diseases and environment:

• Cancer
• Child health
• Respiratory diseases
• Air pollution
• Water pollution
• Radiation

More details on our research programs are available here, and information on our on-going research projects can be found at the research section.

The horizontal facilities include:

• Geographic information system
• Bioinformatics
• Biostatistics
• OMICS
• Biobank

The combination of the two research portfolios offers a broader multidisciplinary approach while addressing research questions which produce stronger evidences- based solutions and necessary tools to improve Global Health and achieve Health Equity.

The mission of the three transversal departments: Education & Training, Innovation, Policy & Global Development, is to build up on the research outputs and translate it to society. Finally, a strategic commission is in charge of assessing and evaluating the impact of the work of these departments.