Dr. Maria
Aguirre Rueda

Dr. Maria Aguirre is the Director of Health Research and Innovation at the Basque Ministry for Health (Basque Government). She is responsible for overall research and innovation policies aimed at the public Basque Healthcare Service and its research centres. She also has responsibility for the promotion and development of life sciences within the Basque Smart Specialisation Strategy, and for alignment with European activities.

Prior to joining the Ministry for Health, Dr. Aguirre led the design of the first specific strategy for development of biosciences in Spain and, as head of the BioBasque Agency, was in charge of its implementation, later recognised at the RegioStars Awards 2011 for its achievements in terms of diversification and creation of a new economic sector. The strategy also marked the initial developments of personalised medicine in the Basque Country, an endeavour which continues today.

Maria Aguirre holds a PhD in Microbiology and Molecular Biology (Reading University, UK) and degrees in Business Administration (MBA, University of Deusto, Spain) and Biology (BSc. Hons.,University of the Basque Country, Spain).