History of URV rectors
Joan Martí i Castell
Joan Martí i Castell, born in Tarragona in 1945, has been a full university professor since 1988. He has devoted 43 years to university teaching and is the longest-serving professor at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV). He has worked at various universities in Catalonia, such as the University of Barcelona and the Autonomous University of Barcelona, and abroad, at institutions such as the University of Bergamo (Italy) and the University of Berkeley (USA). Professor Martí holds a Doctoral Degree in Romance Philology from the University of Barcelona and a Doctoral Degree in Foreign Languages and Literature from La Sapienza University in Rome.
His main research interests include diachronic linguistics, sociolinguistics and the history of language. He has participated in numerous funded research projects, such as the Atlas of the Catalan Linguistic Domain and the Linguistic Atlas of Mariners of the Iberian Peninsula. In addition, he has published 26 books, 65 book chapters and 71 scientific articles, and has presented 150 papers at international conferences. In terms of university administration, he was president of the Management Committee responsible for the foundation of the URV and subsequently became its first rector.
Vice-Rectorates
| Name | Vice-Rectorate | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lluís Arola i Ferrer | Academic Affairs and Faculty | 26/03/1992 | |
| Andreu Pujol i Del Pozo | Research and International Projection | 26/03/1992 | 30/09/1993 |
| Antoni Gonzàlez Senmartí | Economy and Administration | 27/03/1992 | 13/02/1995 |
| Lluís Arola i Ferrer | Centres and Departments | 30/09/1993 | 17/03/1998 |
| Carmen Claver Cabrero | Research and Services | 30/09/1993 | 13/02/1995 |
| Andreu Pujol i Del Pozo | University Extension | 30/09/1993 | 13/02/1995 |
| Azael Fabregat i Llangostera | Teaching and Access to the URV | 13/12/1993 | 13/12/1993 |
| Josep Guasch i Torres | Infrastructures | 14/02/1995 | 05/06/1998 |
| Josep Oliveras i Samitier | Teaching and Pedagogical Innovation | 14/02/1995 | 05/06/1998 |
| Carme Borbonès i Brescó | Students and University Extension | 14/02/1995 | 31/03/1997 |
| Josep M. Olivé i Plana | External Relations | 14/02/1995 | 05/02/1997 |
| Azael Fabregat i Llangostera | Economy | 14/02/1995 | 31/03/1997 |
| Carmen Claver Cabrero | Research | 14/02/1995 | 31/03/1997 |
| Carme Borbonès i Brescó | University Extension and Cultural Policy | 01/04/1997 | 05/06/1998 |
| Antoni Pigrau Solé | Students and International Cooperation | 01/04/1997 | 05/06/1998 |
| F. Xavier Rius Ferrús | Research | 01/04/1997 | 05/06/1998 |
| Josep Antón Ferré Vidal | Economy and Organization | 01/04/1997 |
General Secretaries
| Name | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
Antoni González Senmartí (Comissió Gestora) |
12/03/1992 | 01/10/1993 |
| Miquel Caminal i Badia | 01/10/1993 | 14/02/1995 |
| Estanislau Pastor i Mallol | 14/02/1995 | 05/06/1998 |
Lluís Arola i Ferrer
Lluís Arola i Ferrer graduated in Biology in 1975 and obtained his Doctoral Degree in Biology from the University of Barcelona in 1978. He has been Emeritus Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV) since 2019. His specialisation in nutritional biochemistry has led his research to focus on evaluating the effectiveness of functional ingredients and their interaction with gene expression, cellular metabolism and microbiota. Arola has received 6 six-year research awards, 1 award for transfer and 5 teaching awards. He has co-authored 350 articles referenced in the Web of Science and has supervised 20 doctoral theses, with an H-index of 57.
In addition to his research activity, he has held various academic responsibilities, such as dean of the Faculty of Chemistry, head of the School of Oenology and the posts of vice-rector and rector of the URV. He has also been director of the Nutrition and Health Technology Centre and scientific director of Eurecat, the Technology Centre of Catalonia, where he has contributed significantly to scientific and technological development in the sector.
Vice-Rectorates
| Name | Vice-Rectorate | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Josep Antón Ferré Vidal | Economy and Organization | 01/01/2000 | |
| Josep Oliveras i Samitier | Academic Planning and Quality | 05/06/1998 | 05/06/2002 |
| Estanislau Pastor i Mallol | International Projection | 05/06/1998 | 01/03/2001 |
| Antoni Pigrau Solé | Students and Teaching | 05/06/1998 | 05/06/2002 |
| F. Xavier Rius Ferrús | Research and International Relations | 05/06/1998 | 01/03/2001 |
| Antoni Terceño Gómez | Academic and Administrative Staff | 05/06/1998 | 01/01/2000 |
| Rosa Solà i Alberich | University Community | 05/06/1998 | 01/03/2001 |
| Antoni Terceño Gómez | Faculty and Organization | 01/01/2000 | 05/06/2002 |
| Francesc Xavier Grau Vidal | Infrastructures and New Technologies | 01/01/2000 | 05/06/2002 |
| Joana Zaragoza Gras | University Community | 01/03/2001 | 12/06/2006 |
| F. Xavier Rius Ferrús | Scientific Policy and Doctorate | 01/03/2001 | 05/06/2002 |
| Rosa Solà i Alberich | Research and International Relations | 01/03/2001 | 05/06/2002 |
| Mercè Gisbert i Cervera | Teaching and New Technologies | 05/06/2002 | 12/06/2006 |
| Agustí Segarra Blasco | Quality and Planning | 05/06/2002 | 20/01/2004 |
| Xavier Correig Blanchar | Scientific Policy | 05/06/2002 | 01/02/2004 |
| Francesc Xavier Grau Vidal | Academic Planning and Faculty | 05/06/2002 | 01/02/2004 |
| Antoni Gonzàlez Senmartí | Campus and Institutional Relations | 05/06/2002 | 12/06/2006 |
| Rosa Solà i Alberich | Research and Health Institutions | 05/06/2002 | 24/05/2010 |
| Josep Antón Ferré Vidal | Teaching and Research Staff | 01/02/2004 | 03/05/2006 |
| Xavier Correig Blanchar | Innovation, Transfer and Society | 01/02/2004 | 12/06/2006 |
| Francesc Xavier Grau Vidal | Academic and Research Planning | 01/02/2004 | 12/06/2006 |
General Secretaries
| Name | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Carme Borbonès i Brescó | 05/06/1998 | 01/03/2001 |
| Estanislau Pastor i Mallol | 01/03/2001 | 05/06/2001 |
| Antoni Pigrau Solé | 01/03/2001 | 05/06/2022 |
| Rosa Caballol Lorenzo | 06/09/2005 | 12/06/2006 |
Francesc Xavier Grau i Vidal
Francesc Xavier Grau Vidal, born in Lleida in 1958, is professor of Fluid Mechanics at the School of Chemical Engineering of the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), where he was rector between June 2006 and June 2014. His research focuses on physics, mathematical modelling and control of heat transfer, matter and quantity of motion in the industrial and natural environments. With more than 100 published articles and 11 doctoral theses supervised, he has more than 25 years of experience in applied research, and has worked at the Toulouse Fluid Mechanics Institute of Languedoc, the NASA Turbulence Research Centre and the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University.
In the field of university administration, he was head of the URV's Department of Mechanical Engineering from 1993 to 2000 and held various posts as vice-rector between 2000 and 2006. He has also chaired several foundations and associations, including the Science Park for Tourism and Leisure and the URV Foundation. He was president of the Catalan Association of Public Universities and a member of the Permanent Committee of the Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities. During his time as rector, the URV was recognised as the Campus of International Excellence Southern Catalonia.
Vice-Rectorates
| Name | Vice-Rectorate | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maria Bargalló Escrivà | Students and University Community | 12/06/2006 | 03/06/2014 |
| Mercè Gisbert i Cervera | Teaching Policy and EHEA | 12/06/2006 | 24/05/2010 |
| Antoni Terceño Gómez | Teaching and Research Staff and Quality | 12/06/2006 | 03/10/2006 |
| José Ricart Pla | Academic and Research Policy | 12/06/2006 | 24/05/2010 |
| Josep Pallarés Marzal | Transfer and Innovation | 12/06/2006 | 15/09/2008 |
| Santiago José Castellà Surribas | External Relations | 12/06/2006 | 24/05/2010 |
| Antoni Terceño Gómez | Teaching and Research Staff | 03/10/2006 | 15/09/2008 |
| Xavier Farriol Roigés | Organization and Resources | 10/05/2007 | 03/06/2014 |
| Montserrat Duch Plana | Postgraduate and International Relations | 01/06/2008 | 24/05/2010 |
| Josep Antón Ferré Vidal | Transfer and Innovation | 15/09/2008 | 18/11/2009 |
| Josep Pallarés Marzal | Teaching and Research Staff | 15/09/2008 | 03/06/2014 |
| Encarnació Ricart Martí | Society and Institutional Relations | 24/05/2010 | 03/06/2014 |
| Misericòrdia Carles Lavila | Transfer and Innovation | 24/05/2010 | 03/06/2014 |
| Aurora Ruíz Manrique | Postgraduate and Continuing Education | 24/05/2010 | 03/06/2014 |
| Rosa Solà i Alberich | Research and Relations with Health Institutions | 24/05/2010 | 03/06/2014 |
| José Ricart Pla | Academic and Scientific Policy | 24/05/2010 | 03/06/2014 |
| Maria Marquès Banqué | Teaching and EHEA | 24/05/2010 | 03/06/2014 |
| Anna Ardèvol Grau | International Relations | 24/05/2010 | 03/06/2014 |
General Secretaries
| Name | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Antoni González Senmartí | 12/06/2006 | 03/06/2014 |
Josep Anton Ferré Vidal
Rector of the Universitat Rovira i Virgili from 2014 to 2018, Josep Anton Ferré Vidal was elected by vote of the university community on 13 May 2014. Previously, he had been Vice-Rector for Transfer and Innovation and director general of the URV Foundation from 2008 to 2009. He has also held the posts of Vice-Rector for Teaching and Research Staff, Vice-Rector for Economics and Organisation, Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Head of the School of Chemical Engineering and Head of the School of Engineering. In addition, he was Director of AQU Catalunya from 2009 to 2013 and General Director of Universities for the Catalan Government from 2006 to 2007.
Born in Vila-seca (Tarragonès) in 1958, he has been university professor of Fluid Mechanics in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the URV since 2000, where he teaches undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral subjects on various degree courses from the Schools of Engineering and Chemical Engineering. He obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Sciences in 1980 and his Doctoral Degree in 1986 from the Faculty of Chemistry of the University of Barcelona, where he began his teaching career. He completed his training at the universities of Cambridge and Toronto. Before becoming a professor of Fluid Mechanics, he taught in the fields of Statistics and Operations Research and Chemical Engineering.
Vice-Rectorates
| Name | Vice-Rectorate | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jordi Tous Pallarès | University and Society | 03/06/2014 | 11/06/2018 |
| José Ricart Pla | Scientific and Research Policy | 03/06/2014 | 11/06/2018 |
| Montserrat Giralt Batista | Quality Assessment | 03/06/2014 | 05/02/2016 |
| Miquel Àngel Bové Sans | Transfer and Innovation | 03/06/2014 | 11/06/2018 |
| Josep Pallarés Marzal | Academic Policy and Faculty | 03/06/2014 | 04/02/2016 |
| Arantxa Capdevila Gómez | Teaching, Students and University Community | 03/06/2014 | 11/06/2018 |
| Mar Gutiérrez Colón-Plana | Internationalization | 03/06/2014 | 11/06/2018 |
| Montserrat Giralt Batista | Academic Policy and Quality | 05/02/2016 | 11/06/2018 |
| Lluís Francesc Marsal Garví | Teaching and Research Staff | 05/02/2016 | 11/06/2018 |
General Secretaries
| Name | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Martio Ruiz Sanz | 03/06/2014 | 31/08/2016 |
| Esteve Bosch Capdevila | 01/09/2016 | 11/06/2018 |
Maria José Figueras Salvat
Born in Tarragona in 1956, Dr Figueras graduated from the University of Barcelona in 1979 and was awarded her Doctoral Degree in 1986. She is currently Professor of Microbiology at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV). Her specialisation is environmental microbiology, in particular the microbiological contamination of water. She has participated in major international projects, such as Aqua-Chip, Epibathe, Healthy Water and Aquavalens, and has studied the taxonomy and epidemiology of little-known bacteria, having described 25 new species.
With more than 170 indexed publications, 5 books, 9 book chapters and more than 200 papers at international conferences, she has made a significant contribution to science. Dr Figueras has been a scientific advisor to the World Health Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme and the European Commission on the microbiological contamination of water. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Spanish Society of Microbiology. Since 2013 she has been head of the Department of Basic Medical Sciences at the URV.
Vice-Rectorates
| Name | Vice-Rectorate | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Misericòrdia Camps Llauradó | Institutional Relations, Culture and Social Commitment | 12/06/2018 | 16/06/2022 |
| Francesc Díaz González | Research and Scientific Planning | 12/06/2018 | 16/06/2022 |
| John Style | Internationalization | 12/06/2018 | 16/06/2022 |
| Maria Bonet Donato | Students and Employability | 12/06/2018 | 16/06/2022 |
| Domènec Puig Valls | Academic Planning and Teaching | 12/06/2018 | 08/03/2020 |
| Jordi Sardà Pons | Economy | 12/06/2018 | 16/06/2022 |
| Francisco Medina Cabello | Innovation and Knowledge Transfer | 12/06/2018 | 16/06/2022 |
| Ercilia Garcia Alvarez | Human Resources | 12/06/2018 | 08/03/2020 |
| Domènec Puig Valls | Academic Planning, Teaching and Faculty | 09/03/2020 | 16/06/2022 |
| Josep Ribalta Vives | Doctoral Training | 01/03/2021 | 16/06/2022 |
General Secretaries
| Name | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Laura Román Martín | 11/06/2018 | 16/06/2022 |
