Programme 2024

2024 Brain Innovation Days - Discover the Programme

The 4th edition of the Brain Innovation Days will take place on 13-14 November 2024 in Brussels (Belgium) under the overarching theme Navigating the Brain Across a Lifetime. The two jam-packed days of high-level brain innovation will host a series of exciting Brain Talks, How-To sessions and countless matchmaking/networking opportunities. The programme will include a wide array of session types, including plenary sessions, inspiring Brain Talks, Poster and Innovation Showcase, matchmaking and networking activities (guided and spontaneous), the Brain Innovation Days Pitch Competition, breakout sessions, panels, how-to sessions and other excited session formats still under wraps!

Master of Ceremony

Lisa Burke

Lisa Burke is an experienced broadcaster having spent the bulk of her career presenting live television with Sky News, plus BBC, Channel 4, Fox News, many other Sky channels, RTE (Ireland) and RTL (Luxembourg). Her reporting has covered national and international assignments, documentaries and radio.

In Luxembourg, Lisa created RTL Today which has now become the biggest English news platform in the country. Now, she hosts and produces a weekly radio show (also available with video) and podcast: ‘The Lisa Burke Show’.

Lisa is in high demand as a host and moderator, covering TED talks, all Luxembourg Space Agency work, finance, health, entrepreneurship, tech, science, European Institution events and many more. She is a public speaking coach, and launched the first Presenting & Debating Society at the University of Luxembourg. Additionally, Lisa is a sought-after voice-over artist.

Whilst living in Abu Dhabi for two years, Lisa wrote for The National newspaper.

Other writing includes children’s science books. Lisa has been a science consultant and author with Dorling Kindersley since 2005. She studied Natural Sciences at Cambridge University, gaining a double first. Her specialism was chemistry.

Lisa is on the Cambridge University Communications Working Group. She is also a board member for Angel Aid Cares, a Californian-based foundation raising aid for the care-givers of children with rare disease.

Lisa is a trained classical singer and pianist. She has two daughters.

Brain Innovation Days Subthemes

Blossoming Brains: Early Brain Development

Building Brains: Schools and Workplaces

Timeless Brains: Nurturing Resilience, Embracing Change

Holistic Brains: Strategies for Brain Health in a Dynamic Society

Advancements in Neurotechnology: Pioneering Innovations

Please note that this is a provisional programme which may still be subject to change.

13 November 2024

08:45 - 09:45 | Registration and Welcome Breakfast

More information will be available soon.

09:45 - 09:55 | Welcome

The 4th in-person Brain Innovation Days officially opens with a welcome from our Master of Ceremony and leadership of the organisers, the European Brain Council. 

Felix Strobl

Lisa Burke Suzanne Dickson

Frédéric Destrebecq

Trained Tenor, Neuroscientist

Master of Ceremony President, European Brain Council (EBC)

Executive Director, European Brain Council (EBC)

09:55 - 10:05 | Opening Address

More information will be available soon.

10:05 - 10:20 | Opening Brain Talk

Brain Talks are inspiring and thought-provoking presentations from speakers leading cutting-edge research or activities supporting innovation in brain science. This out-of-the-box talk will set the scene for two days of brain innovation.

More information will be available soon.

10:20 - 11:05 | Opening Panel Discussion: Brain Research and Innovation – Policy Imperatives

This panel discussion will center on the policy requirements essential for ensuring the successful integration of innovation within European society.

More information will be available soon.

11:05 - 11:20 | Innovation Elevator Pitches

Curious to learn more about the latest in brain innovation? Don’t miss Innovation Elevator Pitches, the spotlight on our Poster & Innovation showcasers. Each will be given a few minutes to pitch their work to entice you to drop by later for a deep dive and further discussion.

More information will be available soon.

11:20 - 11:50 | Break: Innovation Hall Officially Open

Grab a coffee and begin your rounds within the Innovation Hall, where we welcome a number of exciting Innovation Showcases and Poster Presentations.

More information will be available soon.

11:50 - 12:05 | Brain Talk

Brain Talks are inspiring and thought-provoking presentations from speakers leading cutting-edge research or activities supporting innovation in brain science. This out-of-the-box talk will set the scene for two days of brain innovation.

More information will be available soon.

12:05 - 12:50 | Panel discussion: Accelerating Brain Innovation in Europe and globally

In this panel, advances, drivers and barriers in the brain research and innovation space will be discussed.

Magda Chlebus

Niklas Blomberg

Shiva Dustdar

Ulrike Busshoff

Executive Director, Science Policy & Regulatory Affairs, EFPIA

Executive Director, Innovative Health Initiative (IHI)

Director, EIB Institute, European Investment Bank

Coordinator, CSA BrainHealth

12:50 - 13:00 | Hearing from the Audience

More information will be available soon.

13:00 - 14:00 | Lunch Break

Grab a bite and meet the speakers of the day and other key attendees in the Innovation Hall. Continue your rounds within the Innovation Hall, where we will welcome a number of exciting Innovation Showcases and Poster Presentations.

14:00 - 14:15 | Brain Talk: A consensus roadmap for a new diagnostic framework for brain disorders

Exploring how the new pathways neurobiology is opening to precision diagnostics have the potential to transform neuropsychiatric treatment science.

 

Martien Kas

President, European College of Neuropsychopharmacology

14:15 - 15:00 | Sponsor Session

More information will be available soon.

15:00 - 15:30 | Innovative Session: 5 Ironmans Beat Alzheimer's: A documentary movie to raise awareness of Alzheimer's while racing 5 Ironmans in EU

Hassan Fadli

Adrien Rivollier

Project Initiator & Ironman Competitor

Movie Director

More information will be available soon.

15:30 - 16:00 | Brain on a Break

Grab a coffee and meet the speakers of the day and other key attendees in the Innovation Hall. Continue your rounds within the Innovation Hall, where we will welcome a number of exciting Innovation Showcases and Poster Presentations.

16:00 - 16:15 | Brain Talk

Brain Talks are inspiring and thought-provoking presentations from speakers leading cutting-edge research or activities supporting innovation in brain science. This out-of-the-box talk will set the scene for two days of brain innovation.

More information will be available soon.

16:15 - 16:45 | Innovative Session: Advancing and transforming dementia care through technology: bridging research, clinical practice, and digital tools for prevention and medical care?

Today, digital technologies measuring biometrics have become commonplace, from tracking daily step counts and heart rates during morning jogs to analysing nightly deep sleep duration. Can these technologies also be leveraged to provide reliable information in dementia research and care? This panel discussion aims to explore the transformative potential of digital technology, particularly sensing devices and wearable biometrics, in enhancing dementia care and personalizing interventions.

Valerie Godefroy

Emrah Duezel

Maarten Van Den Bossche

Sarah Daniels

FrontLab, Institut du cerveau (Paris Brain Institute)

Geman Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)

“Geriatric Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Center KU Leuven; Neuropsychiatry, Research Group Psychiatry, KU Leuven; Mission Lucidity

UK Dementia Research Institute, Imperial College London

16:45 - 17:30 | Panel discussion: Enhancing Brain Health Through Sound

This session investigates how breathing, sound, and music can promote brain health and combat brain disorders.

Felix Strobl

Péter Kéri

Tim Buckinx

Trained Tenor, Neuroscientist

President, GAMIAN-Europe

CEO, Epihunter

14:00 - 15:45 | A healthy brain in a healthy body: bridging brain and somatic health

The increasing number of people living with two or more chronic disorders (multimorbidities) poses an urgent need to better understand underlying mechanisms for better prevention and care throughout the life course. Somatic disorders (e.g., type 2 diabetes) and brain disorders (e.g., Alzheimer’s disorder) often co-occur. This session aims to explore the link between mental and non-mental disorders and how to better address it in clinical practice and medical education.

Moderator

Geert Poelmans

Drug Target ID (B.V./Ltd.)

Welcome

Barbara Franke

Radboud University Medical Center

Keynote

Marina Koussathana

PRIME Project Officer, European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA)

Session 1: Latest EU Research bridging brain and somatic disorders

Andreas Reif

Henrik Larsson

Rafael Simo

PRIME Representative, University Hospital FrankfurtTIMESPAN Coordinator, Orebro University

RECOGNISED Coordinator, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR)

Session 2: Patient perspective on the need to integrate brain and body care

Angela Bradshaw

Nina HovenJessica Nastos
Director for Research, Alzheimer EuropePresident, ADHD Europe

Project and Communication Coordinator, International Diabetes Federation (IDF)

Session 3: Clinical guidelines and medical education

Sandra Kooij

Joao Costa

Alexander Haege

Chair, Section on Neurodevelopmental Disorders Across the Lifespan, European Psychiatric Association (EPA)Co-Chair, Guideline Production Group, European Academy of Neurology (EAN)

PRIME Representative, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH)

16:00 - 17:45 | Harnessing AI for brain health: lab to market to society

Artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is a booming field: the development of computer programs and systems able to emulate tasks normally requiring human intelligence such as recognizing patterns, taking decisions, evaluating and predicting is set to revolutionize the care of people with a brain disease. 

If clinicians could provide personalised care to people living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) remotely, via an app, what would the future look like? The future is already here. BRAINTEASER (Bringing Artificial Intelligence home for a better care of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis) is an EU-funded project seeking to exploit the value of big data (large clinical datasets, patient-generated data from wearables and air pollution data from sensors) to advance remote monitoring and clinical decision making in MS and ALS. Through an AI-based model, BRAINTEASER aims to promote fast, accurate feedback between patients and clinicians. 

BRAINTEASER liaison activities aim to keep the project aligned with relevant EU and global projects and initiatives and generate synergies to maximise impact. In this context, an impact and exploitation workshop will be held at 2024 Brain Innovation Days and feature BRAINTEASER clinical app to shed light on AI excellence thriving from the lab to the market to the benefit of people living with a brain condition.  

Moderator

Gianmaria Silvello

HEREDITARY Project Moderator

Welcome

Maria Fernanda Cabrera

BRAINTEASER Project Coordinator, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

Keynote

Claudia Prettner

BRAINTEASER Project Officer, European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA)

Session 1: From lab to market – Unlocking the translation of research into innovation

Liesbet Geris

Elisabetta Vaudano

Mats Sundgren

Research & Technology Working Group Leader, Avicenna AlliancePrincipal Scientific Manager, Innovative Health Initiative (IHI)

Senior Industry Scientific Director, European Institute for Innovation through Health Data (i~HD)

Session 2: From lab to society – Enabling remote, value-based and patient-centred care

Leon Brudy

Elisabeth Kasilingam
Business Development Manager EMEA, Garmin Health

CEO, European Multiple Sclerosis Platform (EMSP)

Session 3: BRAINTEASER – Advancing remote monitoring and clinical decision making

Eleonora Fiorenzato

Ira HaraldsenCarlos de Miguel SánchezUmberto Manera
HEREDITARY Representative, Università degli Studi di Padova (UNIPD)AI-Mind Project Coordinator, Oslo University Hospita006CBRAINTEASER Clinical Partner, Servicio Madrileño de Salud (SERMAS)

BRAINTEASER Clinical Parner, Università di Torino (UNITO)

Session 4: BRAINTEASER

Vincenzo Carbone

Sr. Product Manager MedTech, InSilicoTrials

17:30 - 17:45 | Closing Day 1

More information will be available soon.

18:00 - 21:00 | Celebratory Reception

Join us in celebrating the 4th in-person Brain Innovation Days!

More information will be available soon.

Blossoming Brains: Early Brain Development

Building Brains: Schools and Workplaces

Timeless Brains: Nurturing Resilience, Embracing Change

Holistic Brains: Strategies for Brain Health in a Dynamic Society

Advancements in Neurotechnology: Pioneering Innovations

14 November 2024

08:30 - 09:30 | Networking Breakfast

Grab a bite and meet the speakers of the day and other key attendees in the Innovation Hall.

09:30 - 09:40 | Welcome Back

Day 2 of the Brain Innovation Days begins! Ease into the day with a welcome recap of Day 1 and an inspiring Brain Talk.

 

 

 

Lisa Burke

Suzanne Dickson

Frédéric Destrebecq

Master of Ceremony

President, European Brain Council (EBC)

Executive Director, European Brain Council (EBC)

09:40 - 09:55 | Brain Talk

Brain Talks are inspiring and thought-provoking presentations from speakers leading cutting-edge research or activities supporting innovation in brain science. This out-of-the-box talk will set the scene for two days of brain innovation.

More information will be available soon.

09:55 - 10:40 | Panel discussion: Towards responsible development and innovation of Neurotechnologies

Neurotechnologies, which have great potential to foster brain health, also raise societal, ethical and legal concerns. This panel discussion aims to address opportunities and challenges raised by neurotechnologies and how relevant initiatives in the field are addressing the risks and filling the gaps.

Alice Accorroni

Ricardo Chavarriaga

Sameer Zuberi

Kostas Kostarelos

Moderator | Board Member, European Academy of Neurology

Group Leader on Responsible AI and Innovation, Zurich University of Applied Sciences

Board Member, European Paediatric Neurology Society; Board Member, European Brain Council

Chair of the Vision Board & Co-Founder, INBRAIN Neuroelectronics

10:40 - 11:25 | Sponsor Session

More information will be available soon.

11:25 - 11:55 | Brain on a Break

Grab a coffee and meet the speakers of the day and other key attendees in the Innovation Hall. Continue your rounds within the Innovation Hall, where we will welcome a number of exciting Innovation Showcases and Poster Presentations.

11:55 - 12:15 | In conversation with: From Idea to Impact: Startup Success Story

More information will be available soon.

12:15 - 13:15 | Pitch Competition

After a pre-selection of applications from European start-ups working in the brain space, the finalists will now pitch their idea or product to the jury and the public.

Jury Members

 

 

 

 

Orla Galvin

Sameer Zuberi

Nicolas Van De Kerkhof

Pascal Joncour

Executive Director, European Federation of Neurological Associations

Board Member, European Paediatric Neurology Society; Board Member, European Brain Council

Business Creation Lead, EIT Health

Partner, Convergence Partners

13:15 - 14:15 | Lunch Break

Grab a bite and meet the speakers of the day and other key attendees in the Innovation Hall. Continue your rounds within the Innovation Hall, where we will welcome a number of exciting Innovation Showcases and Poster Presentations.

14:15 - 14:30 | Brain Talk: Fostering Brain Health in Youth

Childhood and adolescence are critical stages of life for mental health. This is a time when rapid growth and development take place in the brain. Children and adolescents acquire cognitive and social-emotional skills that shape their future mental health and are important for assuming adult roles in society.

More information will be available soon.

14:30 - 15:15 | Panel discussion: Building Innovative Brains: Investing in Brain Development

In this panel, the speakers will discuss the need for lifelong learning, and cognitive and emotional resilience and explore school and workplace implications, emphasizing skills development for maintaining brain health.

Ella Arensman

Naomi Fineberg

Abdulrahman Abou Dahesh

Head of UCC’s School of Public Health, Research Professor School of Public Health and Chief Scientist, National Suicide Research Foundation‌, University College Cork

Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Hertfordshire, and a Consultant Psychiatrist at Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Founder, NeurochemLab.com

15:15 - 15:45 | Brain on a Break

Grab a coffee and meet the speakers of the day and other key attendees in the Innovation Hall. Continue your rounds within the Innovation Hall, where we will welcome a number of exciting Innovation Showcases and Poster Presentations.

15:45 - 16:00 | Brain Talk: Holistic Brains: Strategies for Brain Health in a Dynamic Society

Brain Talks are inspiring and thought-provoking presentations from speakers leading cutting-edge research or activities supporting innovation in brain science. This out-of-the-box talk will set the scene for two days of brain innovation.

Michel Goldman

Founder and President, Institute for Interdisciplinary Innovation in Healthcare (I³h)

16:00 - 16:45 | Panel discussion: Protecting the Planet, Preserving Health

Where we live, the air we breathe, what we surround us with are all crucial determinants of our brain health. This session seeks to explore the link between brain health and environment across the lifespan. The impact of environmental pollution, the potential of neuro-urbanism, eco-anxiety and nature-based solutions will be explored.

More information will be available soon.

16:45 - 17:30 | Panel Discussion

More information will be available soon.

17:30 - 18:00 | Award Ceremony and Closing

The winners of the 4th Brain Innovation Jury Award and Public Award for Best Pitch will be revealed. Didn’t have time to make the Innovation Hall yet? Last chance to take a look at the Innovation Showcases and Poster Presentations.

More information will be available soon.