OUR
TEAM
// Our team of in-house experts, social and behavioural scientists, data scientists and research consultants is based in Barcelona (Spain) and the Netherlands.
WE ARE A MULTIDISCIPLINARY,
EXPERIENCED AND PASSIONATE TEAM.
We are a multidisciplinary team of researchers with a strong network of experts from industry and academia.
// MEET OUR TEAM MEMBERS
OUR
FOUNDERS
FRANCISCO LUPIÁÑEZ-VILLANUEVA
CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
Francisco (PhD) is the co-founder and director of PredictBy and Professor at Open University of Catalonia.
He has more than 20 years of experience in applying quantitative and qualitive research and consulting related to the social, economic, cultural and policy issues associated with information and communication technologies.He has a particular focus on digital transformation, platform economies, behavioural science and data analytics. He has conducted a broad range of studies across Europe involving impact evaluation and assessment, behavioural science and data analytics. Francisco and a proven track record of successfully delivering studies to the European Commission and the private sector. Francisco combines a robust scientific approach with a pragmatic and business-oriented vision to transform complex challenges into actionable and impactful solutions.
Francisco loves playing with his daughters from video games to horse riding and robotics.
DR. FRANS FOLKVORD
CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
Frans (PhD) is the co-founder and director of PredictBy and supports the team in executing high impact projects in Europe and beyond. In addition, Frans works as an associate professor at Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences for the program Communication and Information Science in the Netherlands. Frans has a master’s degree in psychology and sociology, and obtained a PhD in Social Science (cum laude). For the last decade, Frans has been actively involved as a project manager and researcher in several European (e.g, H2020, IMI, Erasmus+) and national projects (e.g., Veni, National Research Grants).
Frans is an industrious athlete, spending a great amount of his free time on the tennis court or in the gym, swimming, running, and cycling to complete an Iron Man. Raising two young daughters makes him aware of the importance of sustainable behaviour to make the world a better and healthier place.
OUR
PEOPLE
ANA ROCA-UMBERT WÜRTH
SENIOR RESEARCH CONSULTANT
LIFE SCIENCES
Ana (PhD) is a research consultant at PredictBy with a background in life sciences and the biomedical sector. Before joining PredictBy she was a researcher at Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona (Spain) where she obtained a PhD in Biomedical Sciences.
Her years as a researcher have given her experience in the field of quantitative analysis, biostatistics, experimental design, and literature reviews. She also has experience in the pharmaceutical industry sector, where she worked delivering and adapting medical product information to healthcare professionals.
Ana has been involved in projects related to genomics and evolutionary biology as well as projects in the field of internationalization of the youth. Currently, Ana is working on several projects in the area of digital healthcare and personalized medicine, while growing in the fields of behavioural sciences and health economics.
Not the sportiest member of the team, you will probably find her playing with and cuddling her dog or trying a new craft project.
MARINA RODÉS SÁNCHEZ
SENIOR RESEARCH CONSULTANT
HEALTH ECONOMICS & POLICY
Marina joined PredictBy as a Senior Research Consultant in April 2022. Her current research interests include the use of real-world evidence to support digital health innovation; novel policy options for reimbursement, pricing and procurement of health technologies; financing models for health systems; and the interaction between health economics, regulatory issues and data availability.
Before joining PredictBy, Marina was a project technician at an agency of the Catalan Department of Health, where she worked on EU-funded projects. Prior to that, Marina spent four years at the Office of Health Economics in London, where she conducted research and provided consultancy services on health economics and related policy issues. Marina holds an MSc in Health Economics from City, University of London, and a BSc in Economics from Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Spain.
Outside of work you can find her at a yoga class or buying books she will then struggle finding the time to read.
JIM INGEBRETSEN CARLSON
SENIOR RESEARCH CONSULTANT
BEHAVIOURAL AND DATA SCIENCE
Jim (PhD) is a Senior Research Consultant at PredictBy and behavioural economics researcher at Open University of Catalonia.
Prior to this, he worked as a post-doctoral researcher at Uppsala University and visiting the Institute for Economic Analysis in Barcelona. He holds a PhD in Economics and a master’s degree in Microeconomics and Econometrics, both at Lund University (Sweden). He is an expert in behavioural economics and experimental design to assess and evaluate impact. He has extensive experience working with large datasets applying statistical techniques such as econometrics, machine learning, statistical- and causal inference.
Jim loves any kind of outdoor activity like hiking, biking, running, you name it. He is a big fan of red wine and good food, but above all he likes to spend time with his sons and girlfriend.
KARLIJN VAN HOUTEN
RESEARCH CONSULTANT
COMMUNICATION SCIENCE
Karlijn is a research consultant at PredictBy and focuses on communication sciences. Her current research interest includes behavioral science in climate change and promotion of healthy food behavior.
Currently, she is involved in EU-funded projects focusing on digitalization of the workplace and health. Karlijn holds a master’s degree in Communication and Information Sciences from Tilburg University in Tilburg and a bachelor’s degree in Sales and Marketing from HAN University of Applied Sciences in Nijmegen (both in the Netherlands).
As a lover of food, Karlijn’s special skill is cooking a perfect risotto.
VALENTINA LATRONICO
RESEARCH CONSULTANT
PSYCHOLOGY AND HEALTH COMMUNICATION
Valentina is a research consultant at PredictBy and Information and Communication Sciences researcher at the Open University of Catalonia.
Prior to this, she worked as a research assistant in the neuroscience field at Københavns Universitet in Denmark, and as a research assistant in the public health field at Universitá della Svizzera Italiana in Switzerland.
Valentina holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Vita-Salute San Raffaele University in Milan, and a double master's degree in Cognitive Psychology and Health Communication from Universitá della Svizzera Italiana in Lugano and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University in Milan. Her current research interests include the interaction between psychology, health, communication, and behavioral sciences.
After working hours, you can find her either playing a Padel match or experimenting with new food and wine pairings.