Princeton University visits ADEMA to explore a pioneering model of transferring artistic knowledge to Health Sciences and developing advanced sensory virtual realities
>> The visit to Mallorca by Dr. Erika Kiss, founding director of the UCHV Film Forum and the UCHV Research Film Studio at Princeton University, activates new lines of academic and research cooperation. >> The ADEMA and Princeton University delegation has also held several meetings with the mayor of Inca, Virgilio Moreno, and the councilor of the Palma City Council, Llorenç Bauzá. Princeton University has visited ADEMA to explore new avenues for international collaboration focused on knowledge transfer to Health Sciences, as well as the development of virtual reality technologies from an advanced sensory perspective. The institutional visit was led by Dr. Erika Kiss, founding director of the UCHV Film Forum and the UCHV Research Film Studio at Princeton University, who traveled to Mallorca to learn firsthand about ADEMA’s academic and research model and its developments in haptic and holographic 3D simulation, applied to both Health Sciences and Fine Arts training, areas in which the institution has established itself as an international benchmark. Likewise, the ADEMA and Princeton University delegation has also held several meetings with the mayor of Inca, Virgilio Moreno, and the councilor of the Palma City Council, Llorenç Bauzá, to analyze different forms of collaboration. In the meeting with the councilor for the area of Natural Environment, Healthy Environments, Markets and Innovation of the Palma City Council, Llorenç Bauzá, preliminary contacts were established for a future collaboration linked to the project “Palma Culture and Innovation Bay”. ADEMA has been working for more than five years from a cross-cutting approach between Science, Art and Technology, promoting projects aimed at facilitating the transfer of knowledge between disciplines. During several meetings and demonstrations, the ADEMA management team presented Dr. Erika Kiss with their innovative technological methodology, conceived not merely as a visual tool, but as a complete and advanced sensory experience system. In this model, interaction includes tactile perception, resistance, volume, and physical response in virtual environments, through the use of haptic and holographic 3D virtual simulators. In this context, one of the aspects highlighted during the visit was the bidirectional nature of knowledge exchange. ADEMA emphasized that advances in Fine Arts research are transferred to Health Sciences, and, in turn, the needs and developments in the healthcare field feed into new lines of experimentation and artistic creation. This approach has been presented as one of the keys that have allowed ADEMA to consolidate itself as an international benchmark in the development and application of haptic, three-dimensional and holographic technologies with academic, scientific and creative uses. Dr. Erika Kiss was able to verify “in situ” the application of these technologies in the fields of Fine Arts and Health Sciences, confirming their potential to generate new environments for learning, experimentation and research. Colorectal cancer management In the clinical field, ADEMA is currently working on the development of haptic simulation applied to medical and surgical training. As an example, they explained their collaboration with the Health Living Lab at Son Espases University Hospital, along with Dr. Álvaro García Granero, a general surgeon specializing in coloproctology, for the development of a 3D tactile simulator initially focused on the treatment of colorectal cancer. This pioneering technological project, a first internationally, represents a milestone in medical and surgical training and envisions its future application to real-world procedures in various surgical specialties. The technology allows for the recreation of tactile sensations during virtual medical procedures, enabling professionals not only to visualize and plan a surgery or examination, but also to feel, in real time, the resistance, texture, and consistency of tissues. The first clinical application of this system, once the regulatory and validation processes for training are complete, will be in laparoscopic colorectal surgery, a key procedure in the treatment of this type of digestive cancer. The ability to train beforehand with a high degree of realism directly impacts the improvement of therapeutic precision and patient safety. Furthermore, the phases for its subsequent application in other specialties have already been defined. The system allows training with digital models built from real patient data, incorporating a fundamental dimension in clinical learning: the perception of tissue resistance, elasticity, and texture in a virtual environment. The goal is for professionals to be able to plan and practice procedures with a level of realism superior to that of tools based solely on visualization, improving accuracy and reducing risks before the actual intervention. According to ADEMA President Diego González, haptic simulation is currently used for three main purposes: advanced medical training aimed at acquiring technical skill and tactile memory in complex procedures; virtual surgery as prior practice in controlled environments that reproduce clinical scenarios; and personalized surgical planning using digital twins based on real scans, which allow anticipating specific anatomy, risks, and technical decisions before the intervention. Training at more than 150 universities In parallel, ADEMA has established itself as an international leader in haptic and holographic 3D simulation. Over the past five years, more than 150 universities worldwide have enlisted the expertise of the ADEMA University School’s teaching staff and its virtual simulation center for training in the use of these systems. These universities come from countries such as Canada, the United States, Peru, Chile, Ecuador, the United Arab Emirates, China, Turkey, Malaysia, England, and France. This training covers specialties such as restorative dentistry, endodontics, prosthodontics, implants, orthodontics, and surgery, as well as other medical fields, including anesthesia procedures developed in collaboration with New York University. Fine Arts and International Projection During the meeting, Amparo Sard, Head of Studies for the Fine Arts Degree, outlined the history of artistic and academic projects developed at ADEMA and presented at international fairs and events. Examples cited included participation in ARCO and in circuits linked to art fairs and platforms in cities such as Chicago, Cologne, Beijing, and Bologna, where the institution has showcased projects integrating technology into processes of creation, research, and cultural mediation. The president of ADEMA, Diego González, stated that this international tour has also served as a space for external validation of the institution’s cross-cutting approach and as
Two ADEMA research works, awarded by the Royal Academy of Medicine of the Balearic Islands (RAMIB)
>> The award-winning works recognize the work of four teachers and researchers from ADEMA who highlight the technological innovation of haptic 3D simulation, applied to surgical training and precision, and oral health and lifestyle habits of schoolchildren. The ADEMA University School was recognized at the opening session of the 2026 academic year of the Royal Academy of Medicine of the Balearic Islands (RAMIB) with two awards in different areas of Health Sciences. These awards highlighted a common thread in the winning projects: applied, cross-disciplinary research aimed at addressing real health challenges through innovation, prevention, and the improvement of clinical and community practice. The RAMIB has thus recognized the quality and diversity of the research activity developed by ADEMA in fields such as surgical simulation and oral health and nutrition, with studies that combine scientific rigor, social impact and knowledge transfer. One of the awards presented was the Dr. Ramón Rotger Moner Prize for the best study on surgery and surgical specialties, awarded to the work entitled “Creation of a prototype and theoretical validation in three-dimensional haptic simulators,” presented by ADEMA lecturer and researcher Raúl Cuesta Román. The study focuses on the development and theoretical validation of a prototype applied to three-dimensional haptic simulation, with a clear application to clinical training, technological innovation, and improved precision in surgical procedures. The ADEMA Prize has been awarded to the study “Influence of the rural and urban environment on lifestyle habits, diet, and oral health in schoolchildren in Mallorca,” developed by ADEMA researchers and professors, Doctors Irene Coll, Daniela Vallejos, and Nora López. The research analyzes how the territorial context influences eating habits, lifestyles, and oral health in the child population, providing relevant information for the design of prevention and health promotion strategies from a community perspective. The president of ADEMA, Diego González, congratulated the award-winning researchers and highlighted the institutional support of the Royal Academy of Medicine of the Balearic Islands (RAMIB) for the scientific work promoted by the center. “Receiving two awards in the same call for proposals confirms that the research we carry out has potential and is useful. At ADEMA, we work to ensure that knowledge doesn’t remain confined to the classroom or the laboratory, but rather translates into concrete advances for the health and well-being of the population. This recognition encourages us to continue strengthening a university model where research and innovation are part of everyday life,” he stated. For his part, the president of ADEMA’s Research Advisory Board, Dr. Pere Riutord, emphasized the importance of integrating research into university education as a strategic element. Finally, ADEMA’s Director of R&D&I, Dr. Arturo López, highlighted the work of the team and the cross-disciplinary nature of the award-winning studies.
ADEMA celebrates the graduation of 70 new graduates in Dentistry and Nutrition and reaffirms its commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and research.
>> During the event, special recognition was given to Dr. Arturo López for his outstanding teaching work throughout the 2024-2025 academic year. >> ADEMA President Diego González highlighted the value of educational and technological innovation, research, internationalization, social responsibility, and the combined synergies between academic institutions to achieve excellence and educational quality. >> The Director General of Universities, Sebastián Massanet, congratulated the new graduates and emphasized their dedication and commitment to learning. >> The Vice Rector of the UIB, Víctor Homar: “You carry a responsibility, that of exercising your profession with rigor, empathy and commitment to people and society.You carry with you a responsibility, that of exercising your profession with rigor, empathy and commitment to people and society.” >>Inca Mayor Virgilio Moreno: “The opening of a new university campus marks a turning point for our city.” Inca’s Teatro Principal has become the setting for one of the most eagerly awaited moments for students, families, and faculty of the ADEMA University School: the graduation ceremony for the fourth graduating class of the Bachelor’s Degree in Dentistry and the second graduating class of the Bachelor’s Degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics, degrees affiliated with the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB). A total of 70 students officially completed their university studies in a ceremony filled with emotion and commitment to their healthcare vocation. The event brought together more than 500 people, including institutional representatives, family members, and faculty and management staff who supported the new graduates throughout their training. The president of the ADEMA University School, Diego González, addressed the recent graduates, highlighting the effort, dedication, and capacity for improvement demonstrated by each of them throughout their training. González noted that “the graduates have not only acquired scientific and technical knowledge, but have also developed their skills and training both at the Integrated Clinic and at various collaborating healthcare organizations, as well as fostering their core values such as empathy, social responsibility, and commitment to health.” During his speech, Diego González also highlighted ADEMA’s educational model, which focuses on pedagogical innovation, service-learning, applied research, and practical training in real-life contexts. “Our students don’t only receive their education in the classroom or in university clinics; they also participate in our international weeks and in cooperation and volunteer projects, such as those developed in Kenya, and in local initiatives with a social impact that demonstrate that university education must be at the service of society,” he emphasized. Furthermore, the president praised ADEMA’s active role in strengthening the Balearic Islands’ R&D&I system, thanks to its participation in knowledge transfer, applied research, and technological innovation projects. “Our model is based on a strategic alliance between public and private institutions, which allows us to attract talent, boost economic development, and guarantee quality university education connected to the needs of the region,” he stated. González also referred to ADEMA’s commitment to diversifying the university offering in the Balearic Islands, with the opening of new campuses in Inca and Coll d’en Rabassa. The latter has opened a University Research Center in Medical Sciences, and new specialized training programs and new lines of research will be launched. On the other hand, the Director General of Universities, Research, and Higher Artistic Education, Sebastián Massanet, congratulated all the students for their dedication and effort during this academic year. “Despite the difficulties, you have demonstrated great perseverance and commitment to learning. You are a clear example of perseverance and talent, and I am sure your path will lead you to great success in the future,” he stated. The mayor of Inca, Virgilio Moreno, also congratulated the students and families and emphasized ADEMA’s commitment to Inca. “The opening of a new university campus marks a turning point for our city. We’re not only bringing higher education closer to our young people, we’re also projecting Inca as a hub of knowledge, innovation, and development. Holding events like this, which highlight training, talent, and a vocation for service, reinforces our commitment to a more dynamic, prepared, and connected city for the future,” Virgilio Moreno argued. The ceremony also featured a speech by the Vice-Rector of the UIB, Dr. Víctor Homar, who congratulated the new graduates and the ADEMA teaching team. “Today you are not just taking home a university degree; you are taking home experiences, values, and connections that will always accompany you. You are taking home a responsibility: to practice your profession with rigor, empathy, and commitment to people and society,” stated Dr. Víctor Homar. One of the most moving moments of the ceremony was the student body’s turn to speak. Representatives of both programs shared their experiences, gratitude, and lessons learned with the audience. In their speeches, they gave special recognition to the faculty for their dedication, as well as to their families for their constant support throughout the training process. During the ceremony, in addition to the presentation of diplomas, special recognition was also given to Dr. Arturo López for his outstanding teaching work throughout the 2024-2025 academic year. A standing ovation capped off a day that marks the beginning of a new path for the new graduates: one of actively contributing to improving the health and well-being of society, from a professional, ethical, and committed perspective.