Speaker Bio
Gisela García Álvarez, PhD: A Visionary Leader in Health Innovation
Gisela García Álvarez, doctor in Biochemistry, brings over 15 years of expertise in health systems research across Europe and Asia, supported by a portfolio of peer-reviewed publications. Her career in innovation began in 2010, co-founding Singapore’s first health and life sciences cluster - a pioneering initiative spearheaded by Duke-NUS Singapore to highlight healthcare and life sciences advancement, all while maintaining her academic contributions in research and teaching.
In 2016, Gisela relocated to Galicia, Spain, to serve as Managing Director of the Galician Health Cluster (CSG), where she made significant strides in strengthening the region’s health and care ecosystems. During her nearly eight years at CSG, she:
•Launched ITGALL, Galicia’s first living lab network for testing technological and digital solutions in the social care sector.
•Secured funding for and led multiple European-funded projects to elevate regional health and care innovation.
•Orchestrated Learning Expeditions to and from more than 15 international markets, bridging global opportunities as part of an ambitious internationalization strategy.
•Fostered collaborations across regional and national stakeholders, creating impactful partnerships.
•Built and managed a multidisciplinary internal team to deliver high-value services to the cluster’s members.
Now returning to Singapore as the ECHAlliance Ambassador, Gisela leads the strategy of LEX GLOBALMINDS, a consultancy driving health and care innovation on a global scale. Their flagship initiative, the Global Innovation Super-Highways, connects sectors such as digital health, biotechnology, and sustainability across Singapore, the Spain/EU, and Scotland/UK, offering organizations a platform for market expansion, regulatory navigation, and co-funded opportunities.
Gisela’s career is defined by her ability to bridge regions, build meaningful collaborations, and deliver impactful solutions in health innovation.