Dr. Pepita Giménez-Bonafé is an Associate Professor at Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences of the University of Barcelona. She is a molecular biologist and a PhD holder of the same institution where she's conducted research on chromatin condensation mechanisms in sperm cells. After completing a postdoctoral fellowship in Vancouver, Canada, focused on prostate cancer, she returned to UB to lead research on chemoresistance in ovarian cancer and to spearhead European projects in educational innovation.

With over 20 years of teaching experience, she coordinates and teaches courses in Physiology and Human Reproduction across the degree programs in Medicine, Biomedicine, and Podiatry. She has published numerous articles in journals indexed in the Journal Citation Reports and has supervised several doctoral theses, as well as undergraduate and master's final projects.

She is a pioneer in implementing immersive virtual reality methodologies in higher education, enhancing student engagement and knowledge retention through interactive experiences. Her projects include:

• A Journey Inside the Human Heart — a virtual reality anatomy experience
• VRBalance — promoting gender equity through virtual reality
• RVTrans — raising awareness around respectful treatment of gender-diverse individuals
• Training in response to natural disasters
• Virtual treatment scenarios for diabetes mellitus

Dr. Giménez-Bonafé is actively involved in innovation committees and collaborates with academic institutions across Europe, including in Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine, France, Italy, and Portugal. Her work contributes to shaping the future of university education by combining cutting-edge technology with pedagogical excellence.

Driving Gender Equity Through Education and Innovation

Dr. Anna Manzano Cuesta is an Associate Professor at the University of Barcelona and a passionate advocate for gender equality in Health Sciences. Her career blends scientific rigor, educational innovation, and a deep institutional commitment to social justice.

As a member of the Equality Commission of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (2018–2025), Anna has led numerous awareness campaigns and academic initiatives, including round tables, conferences, and outreach activities for key dates such as International Women's Day, LGTBIQ+ Pride Month, and the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

She has actively engaged in integrating gender perspective into the teaching of Health Sciences subjects, participating in specialized training courses to strengthen this approach. Her involvement includes curriculum design that reflects equality values and the organization of gender-focused academic activities. Through her work in educational innovation — including gamification, peer learning, and inclusive methodologies — she promotes learning environments where equity is not only taught, but experienced.

In VR-BALANCE, Anna contributes to the design of user-centered methodologies, curriculum development, and dissemination strategies, helping shape immersive learning experiences that challenge stereotypes and promote empathy.

Transforming Learning Through Digital Innovation and Inclusivity

An Associate Professor in Nursing at the University of Barcelona, he is passionate about the possibilities of digital learning and explores how technology can make education more engaging, accessible, and reflective of real-world practice.

Through his participation in the VR-BALANCE project, Tomas has become actively involved in initiatives that promote gender equality and shared caregiving responsibilities. He contributes to the design and coordination of educational materials, dissemination activities, and data management, bringing his technical expertise to the creation of innovative and inclusive learning environments.

Andrés Marchant Mellado is the youngest member of the team and is part of the project's technical group. He has a background in physiotherapy, with a particular interest in how movement can be used as a therapeutic tool for pain relief. He holds a Master's degree in Integrative Physiology and is currently further developing his research profile, with a focus on gender perspectives and diversity in health.

In addition to his academic training, Andrés has experience working in clinical settings and has served as a clinical instructor, guiding students through real-world patient care. This hands-on experience has informed his research interests, particularly in exploring the physiological impact of stigma and social inequality on body symptoms and mental health.

He has participated in interdisciplinary projects that place the needs of marginalized and stigmatized communities at the center, contributing both technical expertise and a strong commitment to social justice in health. His work seeks to bridge clinical practice with critical research, aiming to better understand how structural and social factors influence health outcomes.