From left to right Dr. Joan Gómez Pallarès, Dr. Joan Guàrdia, Dr. Jordi Alberch, and Mr. Eloi Juvillà.
The University of Barcelona (UB) celebrated the official inauguration of its new Cognitive Neuroscience Unit on the 25th of July, 2025 marking a significant milestone in the university’s commitment to cutting-edge brain research and innovation.
The event was presided over by Dr. Joan Guàrdia i Olmos, Rector of the University of Barcelona, and attended by prominent figures from the academic and research community, including Dr. Joan Gómez Pallarès, Director General of Research of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Mr. Eloi Juvillà, Director of Serveis de la Direcció de Serveis d’Edificació i Logística de la Diputació de Barcelona.
The visit began with a welcome reception by Dr. Jordi Alberch, Director of the Institute of Neurosciences, and Dr. Ruben Perellón who introduced the vision and objectives behind the creation of the new unit.
Attendees were then guided through the state-of-the-art facilities, where Ruben Perellón and Andrea Marín, technical experts of the unit, provided live demonstrations and explanations of the advanced equipment and research capabilities. The tour included:
- Non-Invasive Human Brain Stimulation Laboratory, showcasing neuronavigation systems and high-density EEG.
- Immersive Psychoacoustics Laboratory
- Child Cognition and Neuroimaging Laboratories, featuring near-infrared spectroscopy and eye-tracking technologies.
- Social Interaction Laboratory, with a demonstration involving a social robot.
- Movement and Virtual Reality Laboratory
The visit concluded with a tour of the historic Teatre Building on campus, wrapping up a day that highlighted the university’s dedication to interdisciplinary research and technological advancement in cognitive neuroscience.
This new unit is expected to become a hub for pioneering research, fostering collaboration across disciplines and contributing to the global understanding of the human brain.
