The CaixaResearch Institute in Barcelona hosted the award ceremony for the XXIII Burdinola Research Award on 9 November, honouring Dr. Dalmau for his outstanding scientific career and groundbreaking contributions to the field of autoimmune encephalitis.
Dr. Dalmau is an internationally recognised expert in this field and was the first researcher to describe autoimmune encephalitis. Throughout his career, he has characterised more than half of the approximately twenty types currently known. His discoveries have helped transform the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases, which were previously often mistaken for viral infections or psychiatric disorders.
An internationally renowned scientific career
After beginning his career in Barcelona, Dalmau continued his professional journey in the United States, working at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and at the universities of Arkansas and Pennsylvania. He is currently an ICREA researcher and leads the Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Neuronal Disorders research group at IDIBAPS-Hospital Clínic Barcelona, alongside his affiliation with the CaixaResearch Institute. He also coordinates the Neuroimmunology Programme at Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona and Hospital Clínic and is a member of the US National Academy of Medicine.
His scientific career has received numerous distinctions, including the 2025 Gregorio Marañón National Research Award in Medicine and Health Sciences, the 2026 Jiménez Díaz Memorial Lecture, the American Brain Foundation’s 2023 Scientific Breakthrough Award and the 2017 Rei Jaume I Award for Biomedical Research.
An edition dedicated to personalised and precision medicine
The XXIII edition of the Burdinola Research Award focused on personalised and precision medicine in psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases, an area of research aimed at advancing our understanding, diagnosis and treatment of highly complex conditions.
The ceremony brought together professionals and representatives from the scientific and research communities. Mireia Castanys, Director of the Research Centres Department at the La Caixa Foundation and Deputy Director of the CaixaResearch Institute, welcomed attendees, followed by an address from Jorge Carballo, Managing Director of Burdinola.
Joseba Pineda, Chair of the Jury for the XXIII Burdinola Research Award, addressed the audience and read the jury’s decision, while Luis Bataller, Head of Clinical Neurology at the Instituto Valenciano de Oncología, presented an overview of the award recipient’s career.
Jorge Carballo then presented the XXIII Burdinola Research Award to Dalmau, who subsequently gave a lecture on his research related to the theme of this year’s award.
More than three decades recognising scientific excellence
Established in 1993, the Burdinola Research Award aims to recognise scientific excellence, outstanding research careers and the social impact of research conducted in Spain.
With this XXIII edition, Burdinola reaffirms its commitment to the research, knowledge and talent that drive scientific progress, recognising those whose work helps push the boundaries of knowledge and make a positive impact on society.
