Born in 1947 in Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain, Joan J. Guinovart was a renowned biochemist, a visionary founder and first director of the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), and a devoted husband, father of two, and proud grandfather. Throughout a distinguished career that spanned decades, he excelled in the study of carbohydrate metabolism, diabetes, and Lafora disease, earning worldwide recognition for his pioneering research.
Dr. Guinovart completed his undergraduate and doctoral studies at the University of Barcelona before undertaking postdoctoral work at the University of Virginia. Rising to the rank of Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Barcelona, he eventually realized his dream of establishing IRB Barcelona in 2005, serving as its director until 2018 and continuing as Emeritus Professor thereafter.
A dedicated mentor who guided countless young scientists, Dr. Guinovart also held leading roles in several scientific organizations—among them President of the Spanish Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SEBBM) and President of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB). His enduring contributions were recognized with numerous honors, including the “Narcís Monturiol” Medal and the prestigious St. George’s Cross (Creu de Sant Jordi) from the Generalitat de Catalunya.
Widely regarded for his warmth, generosity, and unwavering commitment to excellence, Dr. Guinovart left a transformative impact on both the scientific community and all those who had the privilege of working with him. His legacy endures in the Institute he founded, the groundbreaking research he led, and in the family he dearly loved.
