30Y VIB live: Curiosity in motion
8 October 2026 - Queen Elisabeth Hall, Antwerp
30Y VIB live: Curiosity in motion
30Y VIB live: Curiosity in motion
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For 30 years, VIB has been built by curious minds - across teams, disciplines, and generations. This milestone is not just a moment to reflect, but also to look ahead as a community. A day to connect, share our curiosity, and celebrate together.
After this internal event, we invite our partners for an evening focused on the future of science and society. In a dynamic talk‑show format, we look beyond what VIB has achieved over the past 30 years and explore how we can continue to shape the future. Together with partners from healthcare, industry, investment, and the broader community, VIB researchers bring their stories of innovation, collaboration, and societal relevance to the stage. Expect bold ideas, fresh perspectives, and open conversations about the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Registrations are closed
Program
Program - Thursday, 08 October, 2026
09:30
Registration & welcome coffee
10:30
Opening remarks
10:50
VIB thrives when expertise comes together
Curiosity multiplies when it is shared
From everyday observations to entirely new discoveries. Tom Dendooven, Mike Sleutel, and Lander Goes take you on a journey from a simple observation to uncovering previously unknown biological structures using cryo-EM.
Culture shapes curiosity
From research questions to new technologies. Christos Gkemisis and Evelien Van Hamme explore how clinical experimentation and spatial technologies come together to better understand tumor responses.
Discovery drives impact
From scientific discovery to real‑world application. Jeroen Raes, Thijs Vackier, and Siele Ceuppens explore how fundamental microbiome research can be translated into a scalable diagnostic test.
11:20
Nine scientists. Nine centers. One stage.
Scientists from each VIB research center take the stage to present a recent paper and why it matters for science and society. Short, high‑energy pitches put research in the spotlight - ending in a friendly competition where your vote helps decide the outcome. The first five scientists to present their research are: Sieglinde De Cae (VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology), Julian Prieto Vivas (VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology), Steven De Gieter (VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology), Maude Jans (VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research), and Giulia Albertini (VIB-KU Leuven Center for Neuroscience).
12:00
Lunch
13:30
Parallel sessions
Connect across centers, roles, and expertise through interactive breakout sessions designed for open conversations, practical insights, and new connections across the VIB community. Connect across centers, roles, and expertise through interactive breakout sessions designed for open conversations, practical insights, and new connections across the VIB community. While all sessions have a primary audience in mind, all but one are open to everyone at VIB.
Career opportunities
Explore the many paths a scientific career can take, from academia and industry to policy, publishing, and beyond. Designed primarily for PhD students and postdocs. Funding options and training opportunities will also be addressed.
Technology at VIB
Designed with mainly staff scientists in mind, this interactive session explores how automation can strengthen and accelerate research workflows.
Peer-to-peer learning
Created together with VIB lab technicians, this interactive session focuses on peer exchange across centers, workflows, and areas of expertise.
Behind the scenes
This peer-to-peer session brings together colleagues in administrative and support roles to exchange expertise, approaches, and practical experiences across VIB centers.
Shaping the future VIB
Delivering excellent science in a changing research landscape
Closed session for VIB Group Leaders only
15:10
Transition
15:40
Nine scientists. Nine centers. One stage.
Scientists from each VIB research center take the stage to present a recent paper and why it matters for science and society. Short, high‑energy pitches put research in the spotlight - ending in a friendly competition where your vote helps decide the outcome. The remaining four scientists bring their pitches: Wouter De Coster (VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology), Niklas Kempynck (VIB.AI: Center for AI & Computational Biology), Qian Ma (VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology) and Joanna Pozniak (VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology).
16:20
Live podcast recording
Jérôme Van Biervliet and Christine Durinx share their vision and strategy for the future of VIB.
16:40
Scientists on Stage. And the winner is…
16:50
Afternoon break & welcome external guests
The celebration continues as we welcome our external guests to join us for the evening program.
During the day, we have reflected on the people, ideas, and discoveries that have shaped 30 years of VIB. In the evening, we’ll celebrate this milestone together—with colleagues, alumni, partners, supporters, and friends.
Grab a bite and a drink and visit the VIB Technologies Expo: discover what VIB Technologies can offer to take your research further. Explore cutting-edge technologies and automation, meet the experts, and learn how to access the facilities, expertise, and training that can accelerate your research.
18:15
Innovation for the future
Opening
Chairman of VIB’s board of directors Ajit Shetty offers his perspective on where life sciences and innovation are heading - and the role VIB can play in shaping the future.
Curiosity meets computation
AI is transforming how science is done - and VIB moved early to harness its power. With the launch of the VIB.AI Center for AI & Computational Biology, researchers are accelerating discovery across disciplines, uncovering patterns no human could detect alone. From molecules to ecosystems, AI is opening entirely new ways of understanding life- and shaping the science of tomorrow.
Aureus Nova Scientia Prize
Organized by Aureus Ars & Scientia in collaboration with INSEAD, VIB, and the Université du Luxembourg, the Aureus Nova Scientia Prize recognizes the next generation of researchers translating science into impact for human and planetary health. Meet the laureates of the Discovery Award and Venture Award, hear the stories behind their work, and discover how they are helping shape the future of biotechnology.
What's next for VIB
Christine Durinx and Jérôme Van Biervliet share their vision for the future of VIB - from strategic choices and emerging opportunities to the challenges ahead. A forward‑looking conversation about how the VIB community can continue to shape science and society in the years to come.
One challenge, many minds
Real breakthroughs happen when expertise comes together. Through the VIB Grand Challenges Program, researchers join forces with clinicians, patients, and partners to tackle complex diseases that no single discipline can solve alone. Initiatives like BE.Amycon show how shared curiosity can turn urgent medical needs into tangible progress.
From insight to impact
Discovery is only the beginning. VIB turns knowledge into action through spin offs, industry collaborations, and a thriving innovation ecosystem. By connecting science with entrepreneurship and application, ideas are translated into solutions that address society’s biggest challenges - today and tomorrow.
Closing
20:15
22:30
Walking dinner
Grab a bite and a drink and visit the VIB Technologies Expo: discover what VIB Technologies can offer to take your research further. Explore cutting-edge technologies and automation, meet the experts, and learn how to access the facilities, expertise, and training that can accelerate your research.