🔶🔷 2026 Research Poster Competition By Barco 🔷🔶
Your research deserves the spotlight.
Your research deserves the spotlight.
As part of Research & Biotech Day 2026, we’re inviting students and young researchers to present their work at the Research Poster Competition at Orsi Academy.
Showcase your research to fellow students, researchers and professionals from across the Belgian research and biotech ecosystem, discuss your work with our jury, and compete for the 2026 Research Poster Award.
Research broadly related to health, life sciences and biotechnology is welcome.
📅 October 24th, 2026
📍 Main lobby, Orsi Academy
👥 Solo or in pairs
Submit your poster and abstract before the deadline of 17/10/2026 at 23h59.
Prof. Dr. Rudi Beyaert
Professor at Ghent University and VIB studying the molecular mechanisms behind inflammation and immune regulation, with a strong focus on NF-κB signalling and inflammatory disease.
Professor at Ghent University and VIB studying the molecular mechanisms behind inflammation and immune regulation, with a strong focus on NF-κB signalling and inflammatory disease.
Prof. Dr. ir. Jo Van Ginderachter
Professor of Immunology at VUB and group leader at VIB, researching how immune cells within tumours can support cancer progression and how they can be targeted therapeutically.
Professor of Immunology at VUB and group leader at VIB, researching how immune cells within tumours can support cancer progression and how they can be targeted therapeutically.
Prof. Dr. Colinda Scheele
Cancer researcher at the VIB Center for Cancer Biology in Leuven, studying stem-cell behaviour and the early development of breast cancer.
Cancer researcher at the VIB Center for Cancer Biology in Leuven, studying stem-cell behaviour and the early development of breast cancer.
EXPERT RESEARCH PANEL
Three leading researchers in immunology and cancer biology share their perspective on building a successful research career. Discover how fundamental science can lead to new insights, technologies and ultimately better treatments.
Jef Van den Eynde, MD - Moderator
Internal medicine assistant and cardiovascular PhD researcher at UZ Leuven, with international research experience as a BAEF alumnus.
Internal medicine assistant and cardiovascular PhD researcher at UZ Leuven, with international research experience as a BAEF alumnus.
Gilles Soenens, MD, PhD
PhD researcher in surgical training and assistant in cardiac surgery, combining clinical practice with research in surgical education.
PhD researcher in surgical training and assistant in cardiac surgery, combining clinical practice with research in surgical education.
Mattijs Bulcaen, PhD
Researcher in cystic fibrosis with experience at KU Leuven, Stanford and currently Harvard, bringing a strong international perspective on academic research.
Researcher in cystic fibrosis with experience at KU Leuven, Stanford and currently Harvard, bringing a strong international perspective on academic research.
Liselore Loverix, MD, PhD
Medical doctor and PhD researcher at UZ Leuven, focusing on research in gynaecological cancers.
Medical doctor and PhD researcher at UZ Leuven, focusing on research in gynaecological cancers.
JUNIOR RESEARCH PANEL
What does a career in research actually look like as a young doctor or researcher? Hear four early-career researchers share their experiences in Belgium and abroad, from clinical research and PhDs to international research stays.
Ann Van Gysel, PhD
CEO of BIOVIA, representing and supporting the biotech and medtech ecosystem in Flanders.
CEO of BIOVIA, representing and supporting the biotech and medtech ecosystem in Flanders.
Chris Cardon
CEO of Ziphius Vaccines, a Belgian biotech company developing self-amplifying RNA vaccine technology.
CEO of Ziphius Vaccines, a Belgian biotech company developing self-amplifying RNA vaccine technology.
BIOTECH PANEL
Get an inside look at the Belgian biotech ecosystem from three different perspectives: industry, venture capital and entrepreneurship. Explore how promising science grows into biotech companies and eventually reaches patients.
WORKSHOPS
Career Beyond the Clinic – UCB
What if becoming a doctor didn’t mean choosing between patient care, research and innovation? Join Agnes Koncz, Global Medical Immunology Lead, Rheumatology at UCB, for an interactive career discussion on the many paths a medical or scientific degree can open. With a background in medicine, research and business, she will share how these worlds come together within the pharmaceutical industry. Bring your questions and explore career opportunities beyond the traditional clinical path.
Guidance: Ágnes Koncz, MD, PhD, MBA - UCB
What if becoming a doctor didn’t mean choosing between patient care, research and innovation? Join Agnes Koncz, Global Medical Immunology Lead, Rheumatology at UCB, for an interactive career discussion on the many paths a medical or scientific degree can open. With a background in medicine, research and business, she will share how these worlds come together within the pharmaceutical industry. Bring your questions and explore career opportunities beyond the traditional clinical path.
Guidance: Ágnes Koncz, MD, PhD, MBA - UCB
From Science to Biotech – DROIA Ventures
How does a promising scientific discovery become a biotech company? Discover how investors evaluate new ideas, build companies and guide them from early research towards clinical development.
Guidance: Luc Dochez, PharmD, MBA & Nathan Tops - DROIA Ventures
How does a promising scientific discovery become a biotech company? Discover how investors evaluate new ideas, build companies and guide them from early research towards clinical development.
Guidance: Luc Dochez, PharmD, MBA & Nathan Tops - DROIA Ventures
Medical Visualization - Barco
Explore the technology behind the medical displays used by radiologists, pathologists and surgical teams every day. Discover how high-quality visualisation supports accurate diagnosis, clinical decision-making and modern operating rooms.
Guidance: Barco
Guidance: Barco
Startup vs Investor
See biotech from both sides of the table. Learn what investors look for in promising life-science companies and what it takes for a startup to turn strong science into a successful biotech venture.
Guidance: Leen Limbourg, MD, MBA & Francesca Rapino, PhD – THERAtRAME
See biotech from both sides of the table. Learn what investors look for in promising life-science companies and what it takes for a startup to turn strong science into a successful biotech venture.
Guidance: Leen Limbourg, MD, MBA & Francesca Rapino, PhD – THERAtRAME
Careers in Life Sciences – HR One
Discover the wide range of career opportunities within biotech, pharma and the broader life-sciences industry. Gain insight into what companies look for and how you can start shaping your own career in the sector.
Guidance: HR One
Discover the wide range of career opportunities within biotech, pharma and the broader life-sciences industry. Gain insight into what companies look for and how you can start shaping your own career in the sector.
Guidance: HR One
Da Vinci Xi Robotic Surgery
Get hands-on with robotic surgery and experience the technology behind the da Vinci surgical system. Discover how robotics can support precision, control and innovation in the operating room.
Guidance: Junior Orsi Board
Get hands-on with robotic surgery and experience the technology behind the da Vinci surgical system. Discover how robotics can support precision, control and innovation in the operating room.
Guidance: Junior Orsi Board
RNA Vaccines – Ziphius
Discover how self-amplifying RNA could shape the next generation of vaccines. Learn how Ziphius develops this technology and how an innovative vaccine platform moves from scientific concept towards clinical application.
Guidance: Ziphius Vaccines
Discover how self-amplifying RNA could shape the next generation of vaccines. Learn how Ziphius develops this technology and how an innovative vaccine platform moves from scientific concept towards clinical application.
Guidance: Ziphius Vaccines
COMPANY FAIR
UCB
Discover career opportunities and get an inside look at one of Belgium’s leading pharmaceutical companies.
Discover career opportunities and get an inside look at one of Belgium’s leading pharmaceutical companies.
DROIA Ventures
Meet investors working at the intersection of science, entrepreneurship and biotech company building.
Meet investors working at the intersection of science, entrepreneurship and biotech company building.
Ziphius Vaccines
Discover a Belgian biotech company developing innovative self-amplifying RNA vaccine technology.
HR One
Get career advice and discover opportunities within biotech, pharma and the broader life-sciences industry.
Get career advice and discover opportunities within biotech, pharma and the broader life-sciences industry.
BAEF
Learn more about opportunities to pursue research or further studies in the United States through the Belgian American Educational Foundation.
Learn more about opportunities to pursue research or further studies in the United States through the Belgian American Educational Foundation.
Fulbright Belgium
Explore scholarships and international study and research opportunities in the United States.
Explore scholarships and international study and research opportunities in the United States.
