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Epidemiology and Public Health

The broad purpose of the Epidemiology and Public Health research group is contributing to increase the available scientific evidence regarding preventive interventions, to promote health, and prevent morbidity and mortality from major diseases. Our group uses epidemiological methods to study etiology, surveillance, and efficacy of these interventions. We are primarily focused on epidemiology and prevention of infectious diseases, in both individual and population levels.
Main lines of research:

  • Vaccines: This research line includes the organization, participation and collaboration in different clinical trials related to the evaluation of the immunogenicity, efficacy and safety of different vaccines (e.g. Herpes Zoster, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Influenza, Covid-19).
  • The epidemiology and prevention of healthcare acquired infections: This research line includes the evaluation of risk factors, characteristics, evolution, host, and impact of these infections. 
  • Clinical Epidemiology of Multiple Sclerosis: The objective of this project is to characterize the epidemiology of Multiple Sclerosis in Catalonia. 

Team

Helena Ortin i Berga

Helena Ortin i Berga

Predoctoral researcher
Epidemiology and Public Health
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Irene Perona Gómez

Irene Perona Gómez

Research technician
Epidemiology and Public Health
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María López Berral

María López Berral

Research technician
Epidemiology and Public Health
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Pía Javiera Escobar

Pía Javiera Escobar

Research technician
Epidemiology and Public Health
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Ricardo Gabriel Zules Oña

Ricardo Gabriel Zules Oña

Predoctoral researcher
Epidemiology and Public Health
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Arnau Peñalver Piñol

Arnau Peñalver Piñol

Predoctoral researcher
Epidemiology and Public Health
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Helena Ortin i Berga

Helena Ortin i Berga

Predoctoral researcher
Epidemiology and Public Health
Read more
Irene Perona Gómez

Irene Perona Gómez

Research technician
Epidemiology and Public Health
Read more
María López Berral

María López Berral

Research technician
Epidemiology and Public Health
Read more
Pía Javiera Escobar

Pía Javiera Escobar

Research technician
Epidemiology and Public Health
Read more
Ricardo Gabriel Zules Oña

Ricardo Gabriel Zules Oña

Predoctoral researcher
Epidemiology and Public Health
Read more
Arnau Peñalver Piñol

Arnau Peñalver Piñol

Predoctoral researcher
Epidemiology and Public Health
Read more

Research lines

Vaccines

The group has participated in different phase II, III and IV clinical trials focused on the study of the immunogenicity, efficacy and safety of several preventive vaccines (e.g. influenza, human papilloma virus, hepatitis B, herpes zoster, respiratory syncytial virus…).

Currently, our group has expanded its line of research on the adjuvanted recombinant Herpes Zoster vaccine testing its safety and immunogenicity in pediatric immunosuppressed patients and adults =50 years of age with a prior episode of Herpes Zoster. Regarding observational studies, the group is leading a population study about the incidence of herpes zoster by risk groups (PI15/02273).

Our team has also started a new line of investigation for a Respiratory Syncytial Virus vaccine in healthy pregnant women.

IP: Xavier Martínez Gómez

Vaccines

The group has participated in different phase II, III and IV clinical trials focused on the study of the immunogenicity, efficacy and safety of several preventive vaccines (e.g. influenza, human papilloma virus, hepatitis B, herpes zoster, respiratory syncytial virus…).

Currently, our group has expanded its line of research on the adjuvanted recombinant Herpes Zoster vaccine testing its safety and immunogenicity in pediatric immunosuppressed patients and adults =50 years of age with a prior episode of Herpes Zoster. Regarding observational studies, the group is leading a population study about the incidence of herpes zoster by risk groups (PI15/02273).

Our team has also started a new line of investigation for a Respiratory Syncytial Virus vaccine in healthy pregnant women.

IP: Xavier Martínez Gómez

Viral infections in children [Infectious diseases]

IP: Pere Soler Palacín

Viral infections in children [Infectious diseases]

IP: Pere Soler Palacín

Projects

Vigilancia y control de la infección relacionada con la asistencia sanitaria por bacterias multirresistentes a través de la secuenciación de genomas completos. Proyecto IRAS 2

IP: María Nieves Larrosa Escartin
Collaborators: Jose Angel Rodrigo Pendás, Maria Belén Viñado Perez, Mª Carmen Ferrer Barberà, Nuria Fernández Hidalgo, Rosa Alcaraz Peñarrocha, Ma Dolores Rodríguez Pardo, Vanessa Casares Rodríguez, Albert Moreno Mingorance
Funding agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Funding: 90750
Reference: PI21/01786
Duration: 01/01/2022 - 30/06/2026

Blog

News

The results show that live attenuated vaccines against measles, rubella, mumps and varicella do not increase the risk of relapses in people with multiple sclerosis.

The Lancet Neurology publishes the new criteria, the result of a global expert consensus led by Dr Xavier Montalban.

On European Antibiotic Awareness Day, we highlight the importance of using these medications responsibly and finding innovative solutions to combat this issue.