Meritxell Mallafré-Larrosa is a medical doctor and health systems researcher dedicated to advancing global cancer control and health equity through an implementation science approach. At C/Can, she serves as the technical lead for research and manages the organisation’s gender strategy, ensuring that research-driven insights strengthen health systems in resource-limited settings. Her leadership has been instrumental in developing C/Can’s research agenda, establishing knowledge hubs across a network of 15 cities, and embedding research activities into health development programmes. As part of the technical cooperation team, she brings expertise in mixed-methods study designs, including complex multi-level interventions and contextually-adapted implementation strategies, as well as research project management, multisectoral stakeholder engagement, and gender integration into health research and programming.

Prior to joining C/Can, Meritxell contributed to global cancer research and health policy at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC-WHO) and the Ministry of Health in Catalonia. An alumna of Columbia University (MPH) and the University of Barcelona (MD), she has been recognised with multiple awards supporting her professional development, notably the La Caixa Postgraduate Fellowship and the Spanish Association Against Cancer Young Investigators Award. Passionate about translating evidence into practice and policy, Meritxell is committed to driving systemic change in cancer control while advancing health and gender equity, with a particular focus on women and cancer.