José Luis García López, research professor at the CSIC and founding director of I2SysBio, was honoured by friends, colleagues, and mentees on 5 September in the auditorium of the Margarita Salas Centre for Biological Research (CIB), where he has spent more than four decades building his scientific career.

Recognised as one of the pioneers of biotechnology in Spain, José Luis García López began his research career at the Complutense University of Madrid, but soon moved into the business sector, working at Antibióticos S.A. He later joined the CSIC, where he continued his scientific work with a strong focus on innovation, technology transfer, and international collaboration. He has also played a key role in strengthening the Spanish and European science and technology systems, serving on committees and working groups, including those of the State Research Agency. He was instrumental in the creation of Spain’s first large-scale genomic sequencing companies, Secugen and Life Sequencing, and was a founding partner of Darwin Bioprospecting Excellence, a spin-off from the University of Valencia.

José Luis García's connection to I2SysBio dates back to the institute's inception. In 2011, he was part of the working group created by the University of Valencia and the CSIC to promote the project for a centre dedicated to systems biology. He participated in the drafting of the scientific report and the draft agreements and regulations. He oversaw the construction and equipping of the building for I2SysBio in the UV Science Park. In 2016, he was appointed its first director. In 2017, the CSIC and UV research groups moved into the new building, which was inaugurated in 2018. Until 2020, he led the institute’s launch phase.

At the tribute ceremony for his retirement, several friends, colleagues, and mentees shared anecdotes that vividly illustrate José Luis García's character. He is a generous person who does everything possible to help, with an enormous capacity for work, strategic vision, and imagination. He designs a molecular microbiology experiment, prepares a technical report, or repairs any laboratory equipment with the same enthusiasm. It became clear that he leaves a deep mark on many people who recognise him as a mentor and friend.

The I2SysBio delegation at the tribute was led by Director Gustavo Gómez and Deputy Director Javier Buceta. Also present at the event were Ana Belén Pozo (manager), Consuelo Escrivà (services coordinator), Elena Navarro (administrative assistant), Francisca de la Iglesia (laboratory technician), Santiago Elena (CSIC research professor), Juli Peretó (professor at the University of Valencia), and Daniel Ramón (professor at UCH-CEU and visiting researcher at I2SysBio).