Dr. Laura Garriga-Grimau is a dedicated pediatric pulmonologist based at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital in Barcelona, Spain. She specializes in bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, and other chronic pediatric lung conditions. Her work bridges clinical practice, academic research, and teaching. She is actively involved in multiple international research collaborations, including the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and the Child-BEAR-Net Registry. A strong advocate for improving respiratory care in children, Dr. Garriga-Grimau has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and contributed to global studies shaping pediatric lung health guidelines. Her academic and clinical background is enriched by international clinical training in Australia and active teaching roles at the Autonomous University of Barcelona. Known for her collaborative leadership and deep scientific insight, she continues to contribute to innovation in pediatric respiratory medicine while mentoring future healthcare professionals. Her work is both evidence-driven and patient-centered, earning her a growing reputation in European and global pediatric research communities.

 Professional Profile 

Scopus Profile
ORCID Profile 

Strengths for the Award

Dr. Laura Garriga-Grimau has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing pediatric respiratory medicine through a blend of clinical excellence, academic research, and international collaboration. Her specialization in bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis has positioned her as a key contributor in areas that are often underrepresented in pediatric research. She currently holds leadership roles in prominent research initiatives, such as Chair of the ERS Task Force on Transitioning Adolescents with Bronchiectasis, and Deputy Co-Chair of the Child-BEAR-Net Registry, reflecting the recognition she commands within global respiratory research communities. These roles not only highlight her scientific insight but also her ability to coordinate multinational teams and influence clinical policy development.

Her publication record is both prolific and impactful, including research in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, New England Journal of Medicine, and other peer-reviewed international journals. Dr. Garriga-Grimau has contributed to high-quality, multi-center studies and registries that address real-world challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and care models for pediatric lung diseases. Notably, her involvement in the SHIP-CT trial and the Spanish Pediatric Bronchiectasis Registry demonstrates her ability to participate in and lead complex clinical research initiatives with both academic and translational value. Her research outputs are data-driven, well-cited, and directly relevant to improving health outcomes in children globally.

In addition to her research achievements, Dr. Garriga-Grimau has actively bridged the gap between academia and clinical practice. She contributes as a faculty member in the Pediatric Pulmonology Master’s program at the Autonomous University of Barcelona and has been involved in mentoring and training future clinicians and researchers. Her international clinical exposure, including a bronchiectasis fellowship in Australia, enhances the global relevance and cultural sensitivity of her work. This combination of academic productivity, clinical innovation, and leadership in international research networks makes her a well-rounded and highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Education

Dr. Laura Garriga-Grimau completed her medical education and pediatric residency through the Spanish MIR system at the University of Barcelona, one of Spain’s leading academic medical centers. Following her pediatric training, she pursued specialized academic advancement through a Master’s degree in Pediatric Pulmonology from the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), where she later became a faculty member. Her passion for research and respiratory medicine led her to complete a PhD focused on cystic fibrosis at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, contributing significant findings to the field. In addition to her formal education, Dr. Garriga-Grimau enriched her academic and clinical knowledge with a training fellowship in bronchiectasis at the Queensland Children’s Hospital in Australia. Her continuous pursuit of learning, from clinical practice to translational research, has equipped her with a strong foundation in evidence-based medicine and multidisciplinary collaboration, shaping her into a leader in pediatric respiratory care both in Spain and internationally.

 Experience

Dr. Laura Garriga-Grimau has built an extensive and dynamic professional career in pediatric pulmonology, anchored at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital. She serves as a consultant in the Pediatric Pulmonology Department, where she treats complex respiratory conditions, including cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis. Her clinical experience is complemented by her academic involvement as a lecturer in the Pediatric Pulmonology Master’s program at the Autonomous University of Barcelona. She completed international clinical training in Australia, focusing on bronchiectasis, and collaborates with research networks such as the ERS, ERN-Lung, and Child-BEAR-Net. Her career integrates hands-on patient care with data-driven research, highlighting her ability to translate science into practice. In leadership roles such as Chair of the ERS Task Force on adolescent bronchiectasis transition and Deputy Co-Chair of Child-BEAR-Net, she coordinates multinational teams and projects. Her balanced experience across clinical, research, and educational domains establishes her as a well-rounded and forward-thinking physician-scientist.

 Awards and Honors

While specific individual awards are not listed in her profile, Dr. Laura Garriga-Grimau’s numerous prestigious roles and peer-reviewed publications serve as strong indicators of her academic and professional recognition. She has earned notable leadership positions in internationally recognized research bodies such as the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and the Child-BEAR-Net network, which are typically awarded based on merit, contribution, and peer endorsement. She is a key author and collaborator in top-tier journals including The Lancet Respiratory Medicine and The New England Journal of Medicine—an honor in itself that reflects a high level of expertise and scientific impact. Her inclusion in global studies and research registries, as well as her involvement in shaping clinical guidelines, affirms her reputation in the field of pediatric pulmonology. Furthermore, her appointment as faculty at a major academic institution and her PhD achievements represent high academic recognition within both national and international medical communities.

Research Focus on Medicine and Dentistry

Dr. Garriga-Grimau’s research centers on pediatric bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, and related respiratory disorders, with an emphasis on improving diagnostics, treatment protocols, and health equity in chronic pediatric lung care. She is actively involved in several major international studies and registries, including the Child-BEAR-Net Registry and SHIP-CT trial. Her research evaluates multicountry clinical variations, healthcare transitions from adolescence to adulthood, and therapy optimization for children with chronic respiratory disease. She collaborates on translational studies that influence clinical guidelines and promote standardized care across different healthcare systems. Her work particularly emphasizes underserved populations, including Indigenous communities, reflecting her commitment to inclusive, global health research. By integrating clinical experience with robust epidemiological and translational approaches, Dr. Garriga-Grimau’s research not only advances scientific understanding but also directly enhances patient outcomes. She contributes to major publications and plays key roles in shaping pediatric pulmonology’s research priorities at the European and global level.

 Publications Top Notes

• First results from the international paediatric bronchiectasis registry (Child‑BEAR‑Net Registry) describing multicountry variations in childhood bronchiectasis and its management: a multicentre, cross‑sectional study

  • Authors: Laura Garriga‑Grimau; Ahmad Kantar; Keith Grimwood; Charl Verwey; Refiloe Masekela; Diane Gray; Ameena Goga; Bulent Karadag; Ela Erdem Eralp; Yasemin Gokdemir; et al.

  • Year: 2025

  • Citations: 1 (as per Scopus/ResearchGate)

• Guiding practice principles for clinicians who work with Indigenous people

  • Authors: André Schultz; Anne B. Chang; Donna M. Mason; Julie M. Marchant; Lesley A. Versteegh; Maree Toombs; Laura Garriga‑Grimau; CRE Extended Group

  • Year: 2025

• Bronchiectasis in pediatrics

  • Authors: Laura Garriga‑Grimau; Eva Polverino; Antonio Moreno‑Galdó

  • Year: 2025

• Implementation of the Spanish Paediatric Bronchiectasis Registry (Child‑BEAR‑es Registry)

  • Authors: Laura Garriga‑Grimau; Verónica Sanz‑Santiago; Antonio Moreno‑Galdó

  • Year: 2024

• Improving the Diagnosis and Treatment of Paediatric Bronchiectasis Through Research and Translation

  • Authors: Anne B. Chang; Shyamali C. Dharmage; Julie M. Marchant; Gabrielle B. McCallum; Peter S. Morris; Andre Schultz; Maree Toombs; Danielle F. Wurzel; Stephanie T. Yerkovich; Keith Grimwood; Laura Garriga‑Grimau; CRE extended group

  • Year: 2024

• Asma (book chapter)

  • Author: Laura Garriga‑Grimau

  • Year: 2022

• Pneumònia per Streptococcus pyogenes a l’edat pediàtrica

  • Author: Laura Garriga‑Grimau

  • Year: 2022

• The effect of inhaled hypertonic saline on lung structure in children aged 3–6 years with cystic fibrosis (SHIP‑CT)

  • Authors: Harm A.W.M. Tiddens; Yuxin Chen; Eleni‑Rosalina Andrinopoulou; et al., including Laura Garriga‑Grimau

  • Year: 2022

• Triple Therapy for Cystic Fibrosis Phe508del‑Gating and ‑Residual Function Genotypes

  • Authors: Peter J. Barry; Marcus A. Mall; Antonio Álvarez; et al., including Laura Garriga‑Grimau

  • Year: 2021

• How abnormal is the normal? Clinical characteristics of CF patients with normal FEV₁

  • Authors: Malena Cohen‑Cymberknoh; Elad Ben Meir; Silvia Gartner; et al., including Laura Garriga‑Grimau

  • Year: 2021

• Earlier clinical case reports (2012–2015)

  • Authors: Laura Garriga‑Grimau et al.

  • Years: 2012–2015

 Conclusion