2026 programme

12 February 2026

Keynote speakers

Pr. Roosmarijn Vandenbroucke - UGent, Human diseases: Immunology & inflammation

My research focuses on the effect of systemic inflammation (including sepsis/SIRS or other inflammatory stimuli such as (inflamm)aging and neuroinflammation (such as the age-related disease Alzheimer’s) on the BCSFB.

We study the key molecules that play a role in the activated detrimental processes at the BCSFB upon inflammation, focusing on barrier integrity, extracellular vesicles (exosomes), and acute phase response.

We study whether the choroid plexus is ‘the missing link’ in the body-to-brain axis due to its unique position between blood and brain. Hereto, we are investigating whether peripheral inflammatory triggers, e.g., in the gastrointestinal system, affect the CPE and consequently increase the sensitivity for the development of neuroinflammatory diseases.

We explore whether the CPE can be used as a delivery route to the brain.    

 

Pr. Nelly Litvak - Eindhoven University of Technology, Mathematics and Computer Science 

Nelly Litvak is professor in Algorithms for Complex Networks and has a background in Applied Probability and Stochastic Operations Research. She works on mathematical methods and algorithms for complex networks, such as social networks and the WWW. Real-life networks are modeled as random graphs, and algorithms are used to extract information from the massive network data.

The overall goal of her research is to extract value from (Big) Data, focusing on network data. Her research revolves around three main topics: Information extraction and predictions based on data, mathematical analysis of network characteristics and randomized algorithms. The first looks at defining and collecting the correct measurements and data for specific purposes and deducing networks from data. The second examines mathematical properties of algorithms in networks, for example, the famous PageRank that Google invented to rank web pages. The third looks at efficient algorithms for computing network characteristics when the complete network data is not available. 

 

Short talks

  • Dr. Elsa Roland, UNamur, Faculty of Educational Sciences
  • Dr. Manel Barkallah, UNamur, Faculty of Computer Science
  • Prof. Serena Silvi, University of Bologna, Department of Chemistry
  • ... 

 

More info about the programme coming soon...