Sergi Castellvi-Bel
He/Him
I am gay and I am a human geneticist.//
I am a Group Leader at the August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS) in Barcelona, Spain. My lab works to identify alterations in the human genome which are relevant for the inherited predisposition to develop gastrointestinal neoplasms such as colon cancer, stomach cancer or pancreatic cancer. We use genetic association studies, where we compare the genomes of patients and healthy controls, and massive sequencing studies to decode the genome. To test the effect of these genetic alterations, we use molecular and cell biology tools such as gene editing with CRISPR and organoid culture, which are tridimensional structures that recreate the gastrointestinal tissue in the laboratory.
I am open about being gay in my life including my place of work, where I also bring LGBTQIA+ rights and visibility whenever possible. I believe it is a very important to be out of the closet to be a happier person. I also think it is important to be visible to help the LGBTQIA+ community. Besides work, I have volunteered in LGBTQIA+ organizations in my city and I also sing and dance in a LGBTQIA+ choir (@barcelonarainbowsingers).