Menu
Our Team
Previous
Next
Belgium
Jessie Van Kerckhove
Jessie Van Kerckhove is a junior researcher at Sciensano, Belgium. She holds a master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Ghent University, and an advanced master’s degree in Global Health from the five Flemish universities. She has worked as a pharmacist for five years, before joining the global health field. Here, she has a specific interest in physical activity, for which she developed her skills in collaboration with University of South Australia, and food and nutrition policies. Additionally, she is now working on her PhD in Health Promotion at Ghent University. Finally, she is now working on this Joint Action, as well as on the Horizon+ project CODIET and a Citizen Science project.
Stefanie Vandevijvere
Dr Stefanie Vandevijvere is a senior public health nutrition scientist and her research focuses on nutrition policies for obesity prevention locally, nationally and globally. Her work aims to support the development and implementation of policies to effectively and equitably improve the quality of population diets. In particular she has an interest in the role of food environments in determining people’s dietary habits and how to hold governments and food businesses to account for their actions to create healthy food environments to effectively reduce obesity. She is a member of the leadership team of the International Network for Food and Obesity / non-communicable diseases Research, Monitoring and Action Support (INFORMAS), which aims to monitor, benchmark and support public and private sector actions to create healthy food environments and reduce obesity and non-communicable diseases.
She holds a PhD from the Université Libre de Bruxelles. She has more than 220 peer reviewed publications.
Croatia
Finland
Emma Koivurinta
Emma Koivurinta from Helsinki, Finland. I work as a researcher at Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) since 2022. I’m a sports instructor with a BA from Sports and Health promotion from Arcada- university of applied, 2022. My expertise is the effect of exercise within health promotion, and I have focused in my studies on health promotion.
My work at THL focus on EU-projects. I currently work with Health4EUkids and PreventNCD where the focus is on reducing obesity for children in EU- countries.
Päivi Mäki
I work as a development manager at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare THL. I am a public health nurse and have a MSc in Health Promotion. I have worked over ten years in the field of public health and since 2005 at THL. My areas of expertise are childhood obesity, obesity prevention and monitoring of overweight and obesity in children. I coordinated the national obesity prevention programme in Finland in 2012-2018.
Nowadays my work includes research and expert work in the field of overweight and obesity. I am the coordinator of the obesity prevention expert network in Finland since 2012, the principal investigator of the WHO’s COSI-study in Finland and the project manager of the Nordic childhood obesity prevention network (PromoKids)
Nella Savolainen
Currently I work as a Senior Specialist in THL, National Institute for Health and Welfare. My tasks include development and evaluation of health and wellbeing promotion work.
I have worked in THL since 2009. My tasks include and have included:
● In charge of the evaluation task and process of Next Generation EU/ Recovery and Resilience Fund -projects of wellbeing services counties and the national actors (monitoring of the achievement of the objectives under the administration of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health)
● participating in national networks in the development of effectiveness in welfare and health promotion work, f.ex member of national network of effectiveness and member of steering group for the new service in THL called “Finnish best practice portal” for evidence-based practices in health and well-being promotion
● supporting municipalities and regions in their legislative and other duties in the field of welfare and health promotion. Co-ordinating networks, evaluating, planning, developing and testing best practices, methods and projects together with various experts.
● co-operating and developing health promotion work internationally, f.ex with WHO:s Healthy Cities Network, in JA CHRODIS PLUS, JA HEALTH4EUKIDS and as a contact person towards EuroHealthNet.
I also have experience in development, preparation and implementation of guidance tasks related to e-health in the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. I have participated in international co-operation in the field (Finlands representative in the E-health network in 2022) and related preparatory tasks, supporting the Ministry's strategy work on digitalisation and research, development and innovation.
Greece
Vantarakis Apostolos
UPAT -
Vantarakis Apostolos, Professor of Hygiene, Department of Medicine, University of Patras
He was born in Patras. He received his BA in Biology from the University of Patras, Greece, his M.Sc. in Genetic Toxicology from University College Swansea, Wales, UK, and his PhD in Hygiene from the University of Patras. He was an Assistant Professor at the Department of Medicine of the Democritus University of Thrace, Greece from June 2004 to May 2008. Also, he was a technical Inspector at the EFET, Ministry of Rural Development. Additionally, he was a Technical Inspector at the Occupational Risk Prevention Center/Labor Inspection of Western Greece. He has supervised over 20 European and 50 Greek research projects. He has supervised research projects on issues of sensitive social groups (e.g. immigrants, Roma, etc.) on issues of environmental impact. Also, he has supervised 15 doctoral theses and over 60 diploma theses (at postgraduate level) and 30 diploma theses (at undergraduate level). He has published over 140 research papers in foreign language journals, has supervised and and participated in over 5 books. He is a member of 10 scientific societies and Assistant Editor in 5 international journals. Also, he is Director at Postgraduate Course in Public Health of Medical School University of Patras, and Director of Postgraduate Course in Epidemiology from Open University, member of the Bioethics Committee, member of the Health and Safety Coordinating Committee of the University of Patras and chairman of the Panhellenic Union of Bioscientists. He was Representative of the Medical schools in the National Committee of Public Health of the Ministry of Health.
Emmanuella Magriplis
UPAT -
Emmanuella Magriplis is an Assistant Professor in Nutritional Epidemiology & Public Health, with a presence at several esteemed institutions, including the Agricultural University of Athens and as a Visiting Professor in the University of Patras, Department of Hygiene. Her academic journey has included affiliations with the University of Oxford, and Aristotle University (medical school). Her research interests are focused on nutrition and chronic diseases, leading her to spearhead the Hellenic National Nutrition & Health Survey. Dr. Magriplis is deeply involved in major European research projects like Health4EUkids and PIMENTO, where she co-leads a sub-study aiming to cartography fermented food intake in the 4 European Regions. Her expertise is recognized by her roles in various professional societies (president of Epidemiology working group of the Hellenic Atherosclerosis Society) and her appointment to the European Commission Task Force on food supplements. With 81 peer-reviewed publications, 5 textbooks and 3 book chapters, she has a strong h-index of 24. She is also a reviewer contributor to scientific journals and serves in editorial capacities for several well-established nutrition journals (ie EJON).
Eleni Papachatzi
UPAT -
She was born in Patras. She graduated from Medical School of the University of Patras, and she followed Postgraduate studies in Public Health (Laboratory of Hygiene and Public Health, Medical School, University of Patras). She holds a master’s degree in public health, majoring in Infectious Diseases (NSPH, Athens) and a PhD from Medical School of the University of Patras. She specialized in Paediatrics at the University General Hospital of Patras (UGHP) and subspecialized at the University College London Hospital (UCLH) and at St Mary’s Hospital of Imperial College Health care NHS London Trust (Paediatric Infectious Diseases). She currently works as a locum consultant in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at UGHP and she is a post-doctoral researcher at the Laboratory of Hygiene and Public Health in Medical School of the University of Patras. She has presented her research work at 30 conferences (International, European, and national) while she has participated as a researcher in national and European multicentre epidemiological studies (EMENO, Hprolipsis, NeoIPC etc). She participates in the teaching of undergraduate and postgraduate students at the University of Patras in the field of Public Health (Health Promotion, Social and Preventive Medicine) as well as in voluntary actions related to Public Health (street action, actions for vulnerable groups, population awareness etc).
George Karydas
6th Health ADM -
George Karydas is Ηead of the Research and Development Department of 6th Regional Health Administration (6th Y.PE.) Peloponnese, Epirus, Ionian Islands and West Greece which is the largest Health Region in Greece covering almost 40% of the population. Specific competencies of 6th Y.PE. are planning, coordination, supervision and control the operation of all health and social solidarity units within its boundaries.
With 2 degrees in Business Administration, he has more than 23 years of working experience, 21 of them in the public health sector as administrative personnel. Also, he has more than 4500 teaching hours in adult professional training as a certificated instructor in the field or business administration, total quality management, marketing and sales.
Vasiliki Iliopoulou
6th Health ADM -
Vasiliki Iliopoulou is an employee of Research & Development Department, 6th Health ADM in Patras. She holds a degree in Business Administration from the Technological University of Patras and an MBA on Business Finance and Management from the University of Liverpool, UK. Finally, she has over 20 years of experience in health sector and as a certified adult trainer in different educational levels.
Lachanioti Lamprini
6th Health ADM -
Lachanioti Lamprini is a Health Visitor. She is working in the Central Service of the 6th Health Region of Peloponnese, Ionian Islands, Epirus and Western Greece, in the Department of Regional Map & Primary Health Care. She is a graduate of the Department of Health Visitors of the School of Health & Welfare Professions of the Athens University of Applied Sciences" and holds a Master's Degree, entitled "Health Institutions and Policies", from the Department of Social and Educational Policy, School of Social and Political Sciences of the University of Peloponnese. She also holds a Certificate of Pedagogical and Teaching Proficiency from the Higher School of Pedagogical and Technological Education (ASPAITE).
Kyriaki Premtou
6th Health ADM -
Kyriaki Premtou is an employee of the Research & Development Department, 6th Health ADM in Patras. She holds a degree in Business Planning and Information Systems from the Technological University of Patras and a degree in Business Administration from University of Patras. Also, she holds a Master in Business Administration (MBA) and a Master in Information Systems (MSc) from the Open Hellenic University. Additionally, she has a pedagogical competence and is a certified Career Guidance Counselor. Finally, she has experience on various co-financed and European projects in sectors of tourism, culture and health as well as experience in training minors and adults in different educational levels.
Konstantina Stavrothanasopoulou
6th Health ADM -
Konstantina Stavrothanasopoulou is an employee of the IT Department, 6th Health ADM in Patras. She is a graduate of the Department of Automation (2007) and also holds a Masters of Electronic Commerce (2010) from the Kingston University. Since 2018 she is a PhD candidate at the Department of Industrial and Product Design Engineering of the School of Engineering of University of West Attica entitled "Quality and safety in Information Systems with applications in Health.
Stefano Buonocore
6th Health ADM -
Stefano Buonocore is an employee of the IT Department, 6th Health ADM in Patras. He holds a degree on Electronic and Computer Engineering from Polytechnic University Federico II of Naples (IT) and a Master in Biomedical Technologies form University of Patras (GR). He has more than 20 years work experience as Software developer and DB manager. Additionally, he has attended various seminars and courses on biomedical technologies.
Italy
Chiara Cattaneo
Senior Researcher at the Italian National Institute of Health, within the National Centre of Disease’s Prevention and Health Promotion, since 2005. She has an MSc in Psychology and a Postgraduate study in Health Psychology (PsyD). She is involved in the Scientific Board of the Surveillance System on health determinants OKkio alla Salute and HBSC - Health Behaviour in School-aged Children. Since 2008, she has conducted studies based on the qualitative methodology and focus group on various issues such as weight status and lifestyles, rare diseases, vaccinations, and donation of brain tissue. Her expertise areas are: qualitative research, NCDs prevention and health promotion, participatory methods at the community level, and training intervention. The main topics are: health promotion, health promoting schools, communication and counselling.
Angela Giusti
Senior Researcher at the Italian National Institute of Health, since 2002; co-director of the WHO Collaborating Center on Childhood Obesity. She has a BSc in Midwifery, a MSc in Adult Education, a DU in Community and Public Health and a PhD in health promotion. She is Professor of Nursing, Midwifery, Health Promotion and Public Health. She has been working for over a decade in international Primary Health Care programs in Low Income Countries. Her areas of expertise are: qualitative and mixed-methods research, epidemiology, programs planning and evaluation, NCDs prevention and health promotion, participatory methods at community level, training intervention. The main topics are: pregnancy and childbirth; protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding; Nurturing Care, Early Child Development; prevention of domestic violence; nurturing fatherhood; social and gender equity; women's health.
Eva Charlotte Appelgren
Technical collaborator at the Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), since 1991. She is working in the General Directorate of the National Centre for Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion (CNAPPS) with previous experience at the Infectious Diseases Department of ISS. She is the personal assistant of the Director and with the task of personnel management. She has given technical and administrative support to many different research projects and Joint Actions at national and international level with various tasks such as: supervision and management of budgets, correspondence with the partners involved, interface with similar research bodies abroad, organization of scientific meetings at national and international level, editing of financial and scientific reports, editing of scientific publications, supervision and management of contents in websites dedicated to the projects.
Annachiara Di Nolfi
Nurse and PhD student in Nursing and Public Health at National Institute of Health, in Italy. She has a Master’s degree in Nursing and Midwifery Science in 2021, she contributes to research projects (qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods) and implementation of public health programs, for the promotion of health and the surveillance of risk factors, translation of research results into clinical practice. She is involved in several projects on nutrition in the first 1000 days of life, also in emergencies and natural disasters, Nurturing Care and Early Child Development, nurturing fatherhood, prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), health promotion in dementia and migrant population. She has attended as lecturer at courses and is lecturer/tutor for high interaction online training.
Paola Scardetta
Researcher at the Italian National Institute of Health, since 2004. BSc in Letters and Philosophy. She has worked since the beginning in different activities of: research and analysis of scientific evidence in National and International projects in disease prevention and health promotion; planning, programming and evaluation of postgraduate training activities (2nd Level University Masters) related to projects for National Health Service (NHS) personnel; implementation of training projects and events, residential and remotely, in the epidemiological and health promotion field; social and health research by using methodologies and techniques of participatory planning; graphic design of dissemination materials.
Francesca Zambri
Researcher at the Italian National Institute of Health. She graduated as midwife and got a PhD in Nursing Science and Public Health, and a Master Degree in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. She works at Italian National Institute of Health since 2019, her job areas are qualitative, quantitative and mixed-method research in Public Health, maternal and child health and health in the first 1000 days. She is involved in several projects on maternal and child health, infant and child feeding, also in emergencies and natural disasters, health promotion in migration, breastfeeding protection, promotion and support. Professor in Midwifery Degree at University of Study of Rome Tor Vergata and at Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences. She has attended as lecturer at courses and conferences. She is lecturer/tutor for high interaction online training.
Vincenza Di Stefano
Midwife and PhD student in Nursing and Public Health at National Institute of Health, in Italy. From 2015 to 2023, she worked as a Midwife in a Roman hospital and served clinical tutoring for students in the Bachelor’s degree in Midwifery. Master’s degree in Nursing and Midwifery Sciences in 2022. She is involved in projects on maternal and child health, infant and child feeding, and contributes to research projects (qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods) and implementation of public health programs, for the promotion of health and the surveillance of risk factors, translation of research results into clinical practice, as well as projects on Nurturing Care and Early Child Development, nutrition in the first 1000 days of life. Since 2022, she has been an adjunct lecturer at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, for the Degree Course in Midwifery. She is lecturer/tutor for high interaction online training.
Vittorio Palermo
Researcher at the National Institute of Health, within the National Centre of Disease’s Prevention and Health Promotion. He has a Master's degree in Psychology and a postgraduate study in Health Psychology (PsyD). Since 2018, he has been involved in several public health projects concerning the NCDs prevention and the healthy lifestyles promotion in different settings, such as primary care, school, workplace and community. His areas of expertise are: program planning and evaluation, training interventions (residential and distance), qualitative research. The main topics are: health promotion, NCD prevention, healthy lifestyles and counselling.
Malta
Mariella Borg Buontempo
Dr Borg Buontempo graduated as a doctor from the University of Malta in 1987 and carried out public health medicine postgraduate training in the Welsh Deanery, U.K. She obtained accreditation as a public health medicine specialist from the Faulty of Public Health, U.K. in 2002. She has expertise in health promotion and disease prevention and leads a multidisciplinary team, focusing mainly on the prevention and management of chronic diseases (diabetes, heart disease, cancer and musculoskeletal diseases) and the preventable risk factors (unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use, alcohol misuse and air pollution). She is an honorary lecturer at the University of Malta.
Sharon Vella
Sharon graduated as a pharmacist in 2005 from the University of Malta. Having always had a special interest in nutrition she secured a Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics and graduated as a nutritionist in 2011 from the Faculty of Health Sciences Malta. Sharon has vast experience in tendering and procurement procedures as she worked for 12 years in a government entity which procures medicines and medical devices. Passionate about people’s wellbeing Ms Vella started working as a principal pharmacist at the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate in 2018 whereby she was appointed as the officer in charge of promoting health in workplaces. She has recently coordinated and written a set of recommendations on different areas of health addressed to employers and HR managers aimed at reducing the risks of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and certain types of cancers among their employees. Having also a certificate in project management Sharon organised several health-related campaigns including a sugar campaign, an obesity campaign amongst other campaigns. Sharon is also one of the tutors delivering the weight management programmes at the Health Promotion and Disease prevention Directorate Malta.
Poland
Katarzyna Brukało
Medical University of Silesia - Katarzyna Brukało, PhD, MBA in healthcare, clinical dietitian and public health specialist, Department of Health Policy, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Silesia, Poland.
She serves as an expert for the European Federation of the Associations of Dietitians within the European Specialist Dietetic Network for Older Adults and the International Group of Urban Planning for Health Equity under the Academy of Territorial Development in the Leibniz Association.
Dr. Brukało has actively contributed to numerous international projects supported by the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization, and the European Commission. She played a crucial role as a researcher in projects such as JANPA, JAHEE, EPHOs, Best Re-MaP, Com.HeNet, PEN, and holds leadership roles in StratKIT+ and Health4EUKids. Additionally, she serves as the Work Package Co-Leader for JA PreventNCDs.
In her role as a Ministry of Health expert in public health, Dr. Brukało made significant contributions to the development of Health Needs Maps, focusing particularly on heart failure.
Her research interests primarily revolve around food/nutrition policy, local health policy, malnutrition issues, nutrition in older adults, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Justyna Nowak
Medical University of Silesia - Justyna Nowak is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Metabolic Diseases Prevention, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Silesia. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Public Health, specializing in clinical nutrition and dietetics, from the School of Public Health in Bytom at the Medical University of Silesia in Poland. Additionally, she obtained a Master's Degree in Nutrition from the same institution. Furthermore, she completed her PhD in Health Sciences at the School of Public Health in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia. She also graduated from postgraduate studies in Psychodietetics at SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
Agata Szymczak
National Health Fund - Agata Szymczak- project manager at National Health Fund mainly responsible for international cooperation and implementation of EU projects. Strong experience in financing and organising healthcare services, database analysis and management of innovative health-related projects. Author and initiator of innovative activities in the field of creating mobile applications in health, blended-learning training for medical staff, developing NCDs educational materials for patients.
Master degree in International relations, postgraduate studies: Project management and implementation of the European Union funds.
Involved in implementation and coordination of EU projects.
Author and initiator of innovative activities in the field of creating mobile applications in health, blended-learning training for medical staff, developing NCDs educational materials for patients.
Katarzyna Klonowska
National Health Fund - Graduate of University of Gdansk in the field of economy at the specialty of econometrics. In the years 1999-2008 she was chief of analyses section in the hospital in Gdynia. Since February 2008 she has been chief specialist in National Health Found, for first five years in Department of Health Services, than in Section for Cross-sectoral and International Projects. Since 2009 involved in coordination and implementation of European projects implemented by the NHF’s Central office; i.e. the international project called “EuroDRG – Diagnosis-Related Groups in Europe: towards Efiiciency and Quality”, “Reducing social inequalities in health” project co-financed from the Norwegian Financial Mechanism and the ongoing project “Integrated care in primary care in Poland- POZ+”
Slovenia
Anja Bohinec
Anja Bohinec is a Research and Development Associate at the National Institute of Public Health, Slovenia. She has a Master's degree in Social Work. During her study she gained working experiences with vulnerable groups (people with mental health problems, refugees, asylum seekers, people with disabilities, etc.). She is also a member of IMAgiNE EURO study/research group (Improving MAternal Newborn carE in the European Region) and co-author of several scientific papers. At the National Institute of Public Health, her primary area of focus centers on addressing domestic violence and violence against women.
Martina Mutter
Martina Mutter graduated from the University of Ljubljana, majoring in Library Science and Informatics. Currently, she is in the final stages of her master's degree program at the Faculty of Healthcare of Angela Boškin, focusing on Health Promotion. Throughout her academic journey, she gained invaluable work experience by working at primary healthcare clinic, where she developed skills in lifestyle counseling and organizational tasks.
She is employed at the National Institution of Public Health as a National Health Promoter, where she also serves as the project leader for the Health4EUKids project.
Her research interest is the profound impact of the first 1000 days of life on lifelong health outcomes, with a particular emphasis on the significance of social determinants of health during this pivotal period.
Victoria Zakrajšek
Victoria Zakrajšek, MD, specialist in Public Health. Graduated from the State Medical University in Orenburg, Russia in 2005, where she also specialized in neurology at the regional hospital. In 2018 she completed her specialization in Public Health in Ljubljana, Slovenia. She has many work experiences in various fields of health, healthcare and medical information systems. Since 2014 she has been employed at National Institute of Public Health (NIPH) in the Center for the study and development of health in Ljubljana. From 2024 he heads the Department for development of health protection and enhancement programs. She participates in various tasks in the field of women reproductive health, health inequality, health indicators, epidemiological analyzes and other NIPH projects, where he prepares reports and expert contributions.
Spain
Olga Leralta
EASP - Olga Leralta is a Public Health technician with professional activity in research, consultancy and teaching at Andalusian School of Public Health, with focus on health promotion programs in school settings and policies against children obesity.
She holds a degree in Political Sciences and Sociology from the University Complutense of Madrid. She has a Diploma in Health Promotion in Education, Social, and Health settings from the University of Granada (UGR).
She is the community manager of professional networks at Andalusian Public Health System, in the fields of food and nutrition and school settings. Additionally, she is a professor of the European Master EuroPubHealth and of the Master of Health Promotion and Community Health (UGR)
Jaime Jimenez Pernett
EASP - Jaime Jimenez Pernett (Ph.D on Public Health) is project manager and researcher at the International Health Department of the Andalusian School of Public Health (EASP). His research is focused on the inclusion of the citizen's perspective in technological innovation in health, health policy making and technical assistance in the capacity building of health systems in several countries (Morocco, Senegal, Chile, Colombia, Brasil, Central America) and various health promotion policies, such as refugee/migrant-sensitive health services and children’s obesity prevention. He has also worked on projects to promote tobacco-free environments at the Montreal Department of Public Health (2014-2015).
He is currently a researcher at the Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (IBS) and an associate member of the population health research network in Quebec-Canada (RRSPQ). He also chairs the Board of Directors of the Andalusian Society of Public Health and Health Administration SASPAS-HIPATIA.
Rafael Rodríguez-Acuña
FPS - Rafael Rodríguez-Acuña Degree in Pharmacy, PhD and MSc in Clinical Trials. Technical Coordinator for International Projects and Researcher at Fundación Pública Andaluza Progreso y Salud (Andalusian Public Foundation Progress and Health). He gives support to the participation of the Regional Ministry of Health and Consumers Affairs of Andalusia-CSCJA in international projects and initiatives (Health4EUKids, Care4Diabetes, Schools4Health, JADECARE, CHRODIS Plus, VIGOUR, among others).
Expertise in the fields of health and life sciences (mainly on non-communicable diseases), agri-food sector and environmental sciences. Wide experience in national/international R+D+i projects as researcher and project manager (from EU4Health, 3er UE Health Programme, H2020, INTERREG, LIFE, etc.).
Pablo Garcia-Cubillana
SAS - Pablo Garcia-Cubillana de la Cruz currently works at the Andalusian Health Service (SAS) and in Health Promotion and Local Action in Health Unit of Regional Ministry of Health and Consumers Affairs of Andalusia-CSCJA as Coordinator of the Andalusian Plan for Healthy Living.
He has a degree in Nursing from the University of Cadiz and a degree in Psychology from the University of Seville. He also has a specialisation in Mental Health Nursing from King's College London, a Master's degree in Relational Psychotherapy from the University of Seville and an Expert diploma in Health Promotion from the University of Granada.
Pablo does research in mental health, health promotion and prevention & positive psychology.
Guadalupe Longo
SAS - Guadalupe Longo is a public health technician with professional activity in comprehensive health plans, in the Andalusian public health system. With special attention to children’s health programmes, currently in the Strategic Health Plan for Childhood and Adolescence and in the Comprehensive Plan for Childhood Obesity of Andalusia. She also works in the field of health promotion in the school environment.
She has a degree in Nursing and a Masters and a master degree in Health Promotion in the Educational, Social and Health field from the University of Granada (UGR).
Carolina Muñoz Ibáñez
Conselleria Sanidade - Galicia - Carolina Muñoz Ibáñez works as a Head of the Healthy Lifestyles Education and Promotion Service in the Galician Public Health Directorated. She holds a degree in Pharmacy from the Complutense University of Madrid, with broad experience on national and international pharmacy industry bussiness development until her specialization as a State Civil Pharmacist in 2016. She has constantly worked in collaboration with European bodies (EFSA, European Commission, Parliament, Council of the EU, EMA, etc.) and National Public Administration institutions (Ministry of Health, Education and Sports, University of Santiago de Compostela, Health Promotion Bodies of the different regions of Spain, etc.) leading and managing teams and projects in the health field. She has worked in the Spanish Food Safety and Nutrition Agency (AESAN) as Head of the Analysis department of the Vigo Marine Biotoxins Laboratory, and in the Division of European Union and International Affairs at the the Directorate of the Spanish Medicines and Health Products Agency (AEMPS) of the Spanish Ministry of Health.
Currently, she is in charge of the implementation of the healthy lifestyles programs within the framework of the Zero Obesity Plan in Galicia 2022-2030, being the coordinator of the Galician Health Promotion Network (Rede Galega de Promoción da Saúde, REGAPS) and member of the Coordination Group for the implementation of the Galician Community Health Strategy in Primary Care 2023-2027.
Silvia Suarez
Conselleria Sanidade - Galicia - Doctor in Pharmacy and Graduate in Chemistry from the University of Santiago de Compostela.
Diploma in Public Health from the National School of Health. Master in Health Economics at the University of Vigo.
Since 2006, Official of the Corps of Pharmacists Public Health Inspectors of the Department of Health of the Xunta de Galicia. Experience in various positions in public health and social health coordination.
Since October 2020, Deputy Director General of Programs to Promote Healthy Lifestyles of the General Directorate of Public Health.
Marta Garcia-Sierra
Fisabio - Valencia - Marta Garcia-Sierra holds a PhD in Environmental Science and Technology (2014) and a Master's in Environmental Studies, specializing in Ecological Economics and Environmental Management (2011), from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, along with a Bachelor's in Environmental Science from the University of Valencia (2009). In 2016, she joined the Sustainability Department at the Institut Metròpoli of Barcelona, where she specializes in urban sustainability research and project management. With extensive experience in survey and experimental designs, as well as strategic environmental assessment, she has contributed to projects addressing urban sustainability and public health topics such as air quality, travel behavior, urban metabolism, household waste recycling, energy poverty, food environments, and sewage-based epidemiology. In 2023, she joined the FISABIO Foundation to contribute to Health4EU programs, focusing on community-based interventions addressing the social determinants of child obesity, gender-based violence, health promotion in primary care, and prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with a particular emphasis on societal risk factors. She has published extensively in JCR indexed journals (Q1 & Q2), authored over 20 R&D reports for public administrations, and presented at numerous international and national conferences. She has been Asst. Professor in the Institut Metròpoli-UAB Master's Program in Urban and Metropolitan Studies (2018-2021).
Luz Iranzo Pérez
Fisabio - Valencia - Luz Iranzo Pérez is a specialist in family and community medicine,with a diploma in public health. She has completed an expert university course in mindfulness applied to clinical practice and emotion-based medicine . She is the co-coordinator of the community action program working group in primary care of the Valencian Society of Primary Care Physicians. She is also a member of the working group on care for the elderly of the same society and of the working group on emotion-based medicine of the Spanish Society of Primary Care Physicians.
She has tutored the course on managing social determinants in primary care for primary care residents of the SEMFyC. She collaborates on health education guides for the community action strategy in primary care in the Valencian community.
She has undertaken medical cooperation stays in Huancayo (Peru) and in the province of Goh-Dijhboua (Ivory Coast).
She works as a public health physician She collaborates with the FISABIO Foundation to contribute to Health4EU programs, with a focus on community-based interventions targeting the social determinants of obesity, health promotion in primary care, and the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Carmen Ortiz Martínez
Idisba-Illes Balears - Carmen Ortiz Martínez works as a pediatric nurse at the Vila health center in the Ibiza and Formentera Health Area. Graduate in Psychology from the University of Murcia, Diploma in Nursing from the University of Murcia and Nurse specialist in Family and Community. In addition, she is a University Expert in Health Education in Children and Adolescents from the University of the Balearic Islands. Currently, in addition to pediatric consultation, she coordinates and carries out health education projects in educational centers and with families (Positive Parenting Workshop, Sexual Affective Education Workshop, and Healthy Eating and Active Living Workshop) and is an associate professor at the Faculty of Nursing and Physiotherapy of the University of the Balearic Islands.
Catalina Núñez Jiménez
Idisba-Illes Balears - Catalina Núñez Jiménez is a Public Health technician in the Balearic Islands Public Health Department. She holds a degree in Medicine from the University of Valencia. She has also a university expert diploma in health promotion in educational, social, and health contexts from the Andalusian School of Public Health.
Additionally, she is a professor of the Master in Community Health at the University of Manresa and the Master in Primary Care Pediatrics at the Complutense University of Madrid and the Spanish Association of Primary Care Pediatrics. She currently coordinates the Training Group of the Community Activities Program in Primary Care and serves as a tutor for residents of family and community nursing at the University of the Balearic Islands. She is also a member of the working group for the National Plan against Childhood Obesity (2022-2030).
Elena Cabeza Irigoyen
Idisba-Illes Balears - Elena Cabeza Irigoyen works as a Head of Health Promotion Service in the Balearic Islands Public Health Department. She holds a degree in Medicine from the Zaragoza University, specializing in Public Health at the Université Libre de Bruxelles in Brussels. Additionally, she obtained her PhD from the University of Zaragoza in 1990. Currently, she is a member of the Group of Research in Public Health of the Balearic Islands (GISPIB) at the Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa) and responsible of the reference site (Balearic Island) at the network EIP-AHA (European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy ageing).
María Belén Peris Ramón
Idisba-Illes Balears - María Belén Peris Ramón is a pediatric nurse who practices at the Vila Health Center, within the health area of Eivissa and Formentera. She obtained her nursing diploma from the Cardenal Herrera University in Valencia. With 15 years of experience as an emergency nurse at the Can Misses Hospital in Ibiza, she has a solid background in emergency medical care.
Currently, in addition to attending the pediatric clinic, María Belén is an active member of the health education committee at her health center. She coordinates and leads group health education programs at her health center such as the "My Baby Learns to Eat" Workshop, breastfeeding, child health, first aid, and positive parenting.
Her commitment extends beyond the walls of the health center, as she conducts community activities in schools. She provides first aid training to teachers and workshops on healthy eating and active living for students.
Maria Ramos Monserrat
Idisba-Illes Balears - Maria Ramos Monserrat works as a Public Health technician in the Balearic Islands Public Health Department. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Medicine from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, specializing in Neurology from Hospital La Paz in Madrid. Additionally, she obtained her PhD from the University of the Balearic Islands, a master’s degree in public health from the Andalusian School of Public Health, and a master’s degree in occupational health from the International University of La Rioja. Currently, she serves as the head of the Group of Research in Public Health of the Balearic Islands (GISPIB) at the Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), and is an associated lecturer in Preventive Medicine and Public Health at the University of the Balearic Islands.
Trinidad Planas Juan
Idisba-Illes Balears - Trinidad Planas Juan is a Public Health technician in the Balearic Islands Public Health Department. She holds a degree in Nursing from the University of Illes Balears specializing in Family and Community Primary Care Nursing Home.
Additionally, she is a professor of the Master in Community Health at the University of Manresa. She currently coordinates the Training Group of the Community Activities Program in Primary Care and serves as a tutor for residents of family and community nursing at the University of the Balearic Islands.
Esther González-María
ISCIII - Esther González-María, PhD, MSc, RN.
Staff of the Institute of Health Carlos III, at the Nursing and Health Research Unit (Investén-isciii) as responsible in the Area of Knowledge Transfer of Research Results. Co-director of the Spanish Center for Evidence-Based Nursing and Healthcare: A Joanna Briggs Institute Centre of Excellence. Formal education in Nursing. I obtained a Master of Science (Public Health) at the University of Montreal, and a PhD in nursing care research from the Universidad de Murcia.
I have participated in large national and international R+D+I projects mainly focused on evidence-based practice, and best practices implementation and evaluation. Member of the International Programme for the implementation of best practices guidelines in Centres Committed to Excellence in Care®, coordinating the implementation of the Programme in Spain.
María Teresa Moreno-Casba
ISCIII - María Teresa Moreno-Casbas, PhD, MSc, RN.
Director of the Nursing and healthcare Research Unit (Invetén-isciii) and the Spanish Center for Evidence-Based Nursing and Healthcare: A Joanna Briggs Institute Centre of Excellence. PhD in Epidemiology and Public Health in 2007 at the U. Rey Juan Carlos of Madrid. Since 2012 she led a research group within the CIBERFES. Since 2017 she has been a member of the European Academy of Nursing and of the American Academy of Nursing since 2019
Laura Albornos Muñoz
ISCIII - Laura Albornos Muñoz, BSc, MSc and PhD candidate. Staff of the Institute of Health Carlos III, participates in the Area of Transfer of Research Results. She has participated in national and international health R+D+I projects on issues related to evidence-based practice, implementation of good practices and information systems. She has been a member of the Research Network on Health Services in Chronic Diseases (REDISSEC) and currently participates in the Research Network on Chronicity, Primary Care and Prevention and Health Promotion (RICAPPS). He is a member of the methodological group of the International Programme for the implementation of best practices in Centres Committed to Excellence in Care® (BPSO Spain). She has contributed to the development of the case studies selected by the World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe, in relation to the Implementation Program BPSO and published in the report “Lessons from transforming health services delivery: compendium of initiatives in the WHO European Region”.
Abraham Delgado García
IDIVAL - Cantabria - Graduated in Nursing from the University of Cantabria. Master’s degree in Master's Degree in Direction and Management of Health Services. He has served as Primary Care Nurse, Emergency Health Care Nurse (061), Emergency Health Care Nurse Coordinator (061), Emergency Health Care Nurse Director (061) and Primary Care Nurse Director. He has taught lessons at the University of Alicante and Cantabria. Currently, as a Primary Care Nurse Coordinator in the Cantabrian Health Service and the representative of Cantabria in the Strategy for Addressing Chronicity in the National Health System (Ministry of Health of the Government of Spain).
Her main research field is the management of chronic diseases and the planning and organization of the healthcare system to meet the needs of people with chronic conditions. He has participated in the development of various health and chronic care plans in Cantabria, and he is currently. He has contributed to several scientific articles, conferences, and national and international projects (TiChron, Interreg Sudoe; JA- Chrodis Plus).
David Cantarero Prieto
IDIVAL - Cantabria - He is Full Professor (Dept. of Economics, University of Cantabria, Principal Investigator in the IDIVAL (Health Economics and Health Services Group) and Head of Executive Master of Health Management and Health Services. Collaborating with the GEN-the Governance and Economics research Network (University of Vigo, Spain). He has published over 121 peer-reviewed articles and 16 book chapters. He is an Associate Editor of BMC Health services research and Gaceta Sanitaria. He has been involved in several multidisciplinary teams for the development of different competitive research projects such as the National R + D + I Plan, the European Union (FRESHER Project, TIMELY Project-H2020), FUNCAS, FEDEA, BBVA, etc. and served as reviewer for high-impact journals. Furthermore, he has been part of several organizing committees of conferences and meetings related to Applied and Health Economics. He was elected as Vicepresident of the Spanish Health Economics Association in 2018 and is currently on Spanish Society of Public Health and Health Administration.
Javier Crespo García
IDIVAL - Cantabria - Beginning in 1989 with a doctoral thesis on hepatitis B virus replication, he has maintained a consistent research focus on viral hepatitis and NASH, publishing extensively in top-tier scientific journals and advising national hepatitis strategies. With over 200 publications and funding from competitive grants, his research has international reach and collaboration networks. Additionally, he has contributed to clinical trials and guideline development in gastroenterology and hepatology. He is Head of Digestive Medicine at Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital since 2011. Serving as President of national digestive specialty committees and director of the national NASH registry, he is deeply involved in administrative and leadership roles. He supervises graduate theses, teaches at multiple universities, and leads a young, dynamic research group as principal investigator of the Clinical and Translational Research Group in Digestive Disease at IDIVAL.
Javier Isaac Lera Torres
IDIVAL - Cantabria - PhD in Economics. He is a researcher at the Health Economics Research Group of the University of Cantabria and the Valdecilla Biomedical Research Institute (IDIVAL). Currently, he is a Lecturer at the Department of Economics (University of Cantabria). His main research lines are related to socioeconomic determinants in healthcare, equity in long-term care services or the social and economic return of healthcare/long-term care services. He has been part of national and European projects like H2020 TIMELY where his main contribution is related to the Health Technology Assessment.
Judith León Álvarez
IDIVAL - Cantabria - Graduated in Social Work from the University of Deusto and from the National University of Distance Education (UNED) and graduated in Social Education from the UNED. She holds a Master’s Degree in Sanitary Social Work from the Open University of Catalonia (UOC). She has attended courses about community action, family mediation, etc. and has conducted training sessions in different High Schools and group interventions.
With 15 years of experience as a Social Worker in Primary Care at various Primary Health Care centers in Cantabria, she is currently working as a Technical Advisor in the field of management, within the Subdirectorate of Care, Training, and Continuity of Care of the Cantabrian Health Service. Additionally, she participates in the teaching on social determinants of health and equity- focused approaches and she is taking a diploma in healthcare management.
María Jesús Cabero Pérez
IDIVAL - Cantabria - She graduated from Medical School in the University of Cantabria and in Sociology. She specialized in Paediatric in the University of Cantabria. PhD with Doctoral thesis "AAT deficiency in a population with chronic respiratory pathology.
She has served as Medical Director of Primary Care in Laredo Area, Manager of Primary Care in Laredo Area, Deputy Director of Development and Quality of Service at the Cantabrian Health Service, Coordinator of Emergencies in the Pediatric Service (HUMV) and as a Head Section of Pediatric at HUMV.
Currently as a Head of the Pediatrics Department at the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital (HUMV) and as an Associate Professor in the University of Cantabria. She is accredited by ANECA (National Agency for Quality Assessment and Accreditation) as an assistant Professor. Additionally, Vice-president of the Official College of Doctors of Cantabria. Finally, she is part of the research group “Epidemiology and Public Health” of IDIVAL.
Marina Barreda Gutiérrez
IDIVAL - Cantabria - She holds a degree in Economics from the University of Cantabria. She has also a Master’s Degree in Economics: Economic Analysis Instruments and a Master’s Degree on Management of Healthcare Services of the University of Cantabria. She is a researcher at University of Cantabria (Spain) and a researcher at the Health Economics Research Group of the University of Cantabria and the Valdecilla Biomedical Research Institute (IDIVAL). In addition, she is a predoctoral student at the University of Cantabria. Her main lines of research are focused on different fields related with health economics.
Marta Alonso Peña
IDIVAL - Cantabria - Graduated in Biotechnology, with a Master’s Degree in Cellular and Molecular Pathophysiology and Pharmacology, and Master’s Degree in Secondary Teacher Training. Ph.D. in Physiopathology and Pharmacology. She was coordinator of the Cohort Cantabria project, and she currently belongs to the Clinical and Translational Research Group in Digestive Diseases. She has participated in competitively funded research projects (regional, national, and European, both public and private). A member of several scientific societies and networks (European Association for the Study of the Liver, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, Spanish Association for the Study of the Liver, Spanish Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, IDIVAL). She has taught practical classes and seminars at the University of Salamanca, and she is accredited by ANECA (National Agency for Quality Assessment and Accreditation) as an assistant Professor.
Oliver Ramos-Álvarez
IDIVAL - Cantabria - Graduated in Teaching in the field of Physical Education; in Primary Education; in Psychopedagogy; and in Sports Science. Master’s Degree in HR Management, in Innovation and Research Education and in High Performance. PhD in Equity and Innovation in Education. University specialization in adult education. With extensive teaching experience in public schools in Cantabria. Nowadays, he works as a Technical Teaching Advisor at the Educational Quality Unit of the Regional Department of Education, Vocational Training and Universities of Cantabria and as an Associate Professor in the University of Cantabria, while actively contributing to academic publications and international conferences. Additionally, he conducts training courses for sports technicians and educational activities in the field of physical activity and sports.
Paloma Lanza León
IDIVAL - Cantabria - She holds a PhD in Economics (2019) from the University of Cantabria, the University of the Basque Country and the University of Oviedo. Currently, she is a Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Cantabria. She is coordinator of the Master in Health Services Management and coordinator of the UC ALFASIGMA Chair in Health Economics. She is a researcher at the Health Economics Research Group of the University of Cantabria and the Valdecilla Biomedical Research Institute (IDIVAL). She has done two research stays at the City University of London (UK) and at the University of Amsterdam. Her main lines of research are Public Economics, Health Economics and Public Policy Evaluation, on which she has published several articles in specialized national and international journals such as the European Journal of Health Economics, Health Policy or Applied Economics, among others. She participates in different research projects, including two funded by the European Commission: TIMELY and Health4EUKids.
Paula Iruzubieta Coz
IDIVAL - Cantabria - Her research career began during her medicine residency at the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital when she joined the IDIVAL Digestive Pathology research group, and started translational projects in the field of fatty liver disease. She got the post-MIR López Albo scholarship from IDIVAL allowing her to work in international reference centers in biomedical research and learn from highly prestigious researchers. She got her PhD with a thesis project based on the study of the role of a mitochondrial protein in the development and progression of liver injury due to cholestasis. She has worked in a stable line of research about fatty liver disease and cholestatic liver disease collaborating with many national and international projects and leading some projects. As a result, she is author of many manuscripts published in high-impact scientific journals.
Rosa María Cazalilla Chica
IDIVAL - Cantabria - She holds a degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Granada. Master’s Degree in Advances in Food Safety and in Secondary Teacher Training (Compulsory and Post-Compulsory Secondary Schools, Vocational Schools, Language Schools). She has completed an Erasmus + study program from the University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences (Brno) and an Erasmus + internship program in the Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, Department of Plant Origin Foodstuffs, Hygiene and Technology (Brno). She has attended several courses in the field of pediatrics nutrition, breastfeeding, clinical nutrition, physical activity and health, etc.
She has taught lessons in Vocational Training (Cantabria) and has worked as a Nutritionist in Primary Health Care (Cataluña). Currently, she is working in Valdecilla Biomedical Research Institute (IDIVAL) as a Research Support Technician.
The “HEALTH4EUkids” Joint Action aims to implement health promotion and prevention strategies for child obesity across European countries. It seeks to share best practices and research findings, particularly focusing on the initiatives Grunau Moves from Germany and Smart Family from Finland. The project involves knowledge transfer, cooperation between member states, policy development, and the promotion of healthy lifestyles in families and communities. Its goal is to prevent childhood obesity, increase physical activity and healthy diet, and ensure the sustainability and transferability of successful practices to other member states.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s EU4HEALTH Programme under the Grant Agreement no 101082462
