INVITED TALKS
Technical Sessions
JONATHAN PELLISH
NASA, US
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Title TBA
30 September 2025 | 14:15 - 15:15
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THOMAS HERTOG
KU Leuven, BE
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Perhaps the biggest question that Stephen Hawking tried to answer in his extraordinary career was how the universe could have created conditions so perfectly hospitable to life. Holed up in physics departments across the globe, I worked shoulder to shoulder with Hawking to develop a fresh vision of the universe’s birth that could account for its biophyllic design. Venturing far back in time, we were startled to find a deeper level of evolution, in which physical laws might transform and simplify until particles, forces, and even time fade away. In this lecture, I first recount our quest to get a grips on the big bang origin of the universe, and the bold new take on some of the universe’s fundamentals our work reveals. Then I discuss how ESA’s flagship project to measure gravitational waves in space - set for launch in the mid-2030s - may enable us to identify fossils from the earliest stages of the universe.​
To the Origin of Time with ESA’s flagship gravitational-wave mission
1 October 2025 | 8:30 - 9:30
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Perhaps the biggest question that Stephen Hawking tried to answer in his extraordinary career was how the universe could have created conditions so perfectly hospitable to life. Holed up in physics departments across the globe, I worked shoulder to shoulder with Hawking to develop a fresh vision of the universe’s birth that could account for its biophyllic design. Venturing far back in time, we were startled to find a deeper level of evolution, in which physical laws might transform and simplify until particles, forces, and even time fade away. In this lecture, I first recount our quest to get a grips on the big bang origin of the universe, and the bold new take on some of the universe’s fundamentals our work reveals. Then I discuss how ESA’s flagship project to measure gravitational waves in space - set for launch in the mid-2030s - may enable us to identify fossils from the earliest stages of the universe.
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SARAH BAATOUT
Institute of Nuclear Medical Applications, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK-CEN, Mol, BE
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Professor Sarah Baatout is Deputy Director of the Institute for Nuclear Medical Applications at the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), where she leads a multidisciplinary team of around 100 staff members dedicated to advancing innovative approaches contributing to the safe and effective use of nuclear technologies in medicine and in space. Professor Baatout chairs the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), contributes to expert boards for the European Space Agency and the European Nuclear Society. She is also passionate about training the next generation of scientists, having supervised nearly 30 PhD students and currently teaching at Ghent University and KU Leuven in Belgium. With over 200 scientific publications, she is a strong advocate for innovation that bridges advanced technology and human health, and for fostering collaborative efforts that bring the benefits of nuclear science to patients worldwide.​​
Space Radiation and Health Effects: Understanding Risks and Mitigation Strategies for Human Exploration
2 October 2025 | 8:30 - 9:30
Human exploration beyond Low Earth Orbit (BLEO) presents major challenges due to the complex radiation environment in space. Astronauts are exposed to a mix of high-energy ionizing radiation from galactic cosmic rays (GCR), solar particle events (SPEs), and secondary radiation generated through interactions between primary particles and spacecraft, spacesuit, or habitat materials. These exposures can lead to significant and increased health risks, including carcinogenesis, central nervous system and cardiovascular dysfunctions, cataracts and accelerated aging. The synergistic impact of microgravity further compounds these risks by weakening physiological systems such as the immune, musculoskeletal, and cardiovascular systems.Understanding and mitigating these health risks is a multidisciplinary endeavor at the intersection of radiation physics, space systems engineering, and biomedical research. Radiation protection strategies range from conventional passive shielding (eg, aluminum, polyethylene, water) to novel materials including boron-based composites and in situ resources such as lunar or Martian regolith. Active shielding approaches, involving magnetic or electrostatic fields, are also under investigation. At the biological level, research focuses on identifying biomarkers to evaluate individual radiosensitivity, along with pharmacological countermeasures such as radioprotectors and radiomitigators. New platforms like organ-on-chip systems and 3D human organoids are enabling precise modeling of space radiation effects, supporting the development of targeted mitigation strategies. Regenerative medicine and bioprinting technologies offer potential solutions for tissue repair following radiation-induced damage. This presentation will highlight the current understanding of space radiation hazards for human health, ongoing mitigation research, and the translation of these findings into strategies for long-duration human spaceflight. The work also has broader implications for radiation protection in terrestrial applications, offering synergy between space and Earth-based radiological health research.​
MAARTEN WEYN
Dept. of Electronics and Information and Communication Technologies, University of Antwerp, BE
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Maarten Weyn is a professor and Vice-Rector for Research and Impact at the University of Antwerp, where he also teaches wireless communication and Internet of Things systems. He is the scientific director of IDLab, the joint imec–University of Antwerp research group focusing on AI and connected systems. As a tech innovator, he co-founded several spin-offs and actively bridges academic research and real-world impact.
To the general public, Maarten is best known for his appearances on the popular science show Team Scheire on VRT Canvas and his presence within Nerdland. Fueled by a deep passion for beer, he launched his own brew Weyn in 2021 and published the book Bier?! in 2024 under the Nerdland label. In his talks, he blends science, history, and hops to reveal the surprising stories behind our favorite drink.
Beer and Civilization: A Frothy Journey Through Time
3 October 2025 | 8:30 - 9:30
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From the earliest traces to the ancient Greeks and Romans, through the Celts and Germanic tribes, to the Middle Ages and our modern beer culture — together we’ll dive into the evolution of brewing.
Did you know that beer might be the reason we started farming in the first place? That people here in the Middle Ages mostly drank Dutch beer? And what do the Germanic tribes, an Irishman, and the Catholic Church have in common?
In this talk, you’ll uncover the hidden stories behind our favorite barley brew — filled with surprising twists and a generous head of historical froth.