Irene Rafols is an architect by the ETSAB – Polytechnic University of Catalonia (Spain) and holds a Master Degree in Computer Integrated Manufacturing and Engineering by CIM – Polytechnic University of Catalonia. She is currently leading the Product Innovation and Development Unit at Eurecat, specialized in develop new products from concept to the first series with a highly innovative technology content provided from all the Eurecat Technology Units. For more than 10 years she has been lead and participated in many R&D financed projects (European and National) and also developed products for private companies in several sectors such as Medical, Sport, Construction or Consumer Goods. She is the inventor of three patents.

Since two years ago, she has been promoting research in DFAM (Design for Additive Manufacturing) within the Product Development Unit, focusing mainly on Topological Optimization, structural characterization of mesoscale level (lattices, etc.) ; and the effects of the various technologies of additive manufacturing on the final geometry of the piece and its mechanical performance.