NWO Life2024: The art of Life
During the fifth edition of NWO Life, held at Hotel Zuiderduin in Egmond aan Zee, participants explored the dynamic intersection of life sciences and art. This year's conference featured engaging talks from fourteen distinguished keynote and invited speakers, including notable keynote presentations by neurologist and Parkinson’s disease expert Bas Bloem and influential fungal biotechnologist Vera Meyer who is also a visual artist.
Invited Speakers and Parallel Sessions
The interesting plenary talks by Bas Bloem and Vera Meyer set the tone for a conference filled with insightful discussions and groundbreaking research. Two invited speakers per track covered a wide range of topics. From the molecular level to cells, to ecosystems and beyond.
Parallel sessions, featuring four speakers per track, highlighted the diversity and richness of scientific inquiry, with presentations from both emerging and established researchers. The variety in seniority levels among speakers contributed to the inspiring atmosphere of the sessions.
Vibrant Exhibition Floor and Poster Sessions
The exhibition floor was the heart of the conference, bustling with activity during the poster sessions. Researchers, again in various stages of their career, presented their latest findings on posters, sparking lively discussions and providing attendees with fresh insights and perspectives. This interactive component underscored the collaborative spirit of NWO Life.
In addition to the poster presentations, the exhibition floor hosted a range of other activities. Ivo Bol captivated attendees with his unique demonstration of making music with plants, while a local bookshop offered a curated selection of books tailored to the interests of conference participants. Various demos by Large-scale Research Infrastructure projects and exhibitors provided deeper dives into their respective fields, enriching the overall experience.
Art and Science Fusion
An art exhibition by three students from the Royal Academy of Arts was a highlight, featuring artworks created in collaboration with researchers from the Closed Cycles research programme. These pieces offered a stunning visual representation of scientific research, blending art and science in a compelling manner. Read more
Special Guests and Entertainment
The conference was not without its surprises, as ancient guests in the form of dinosaurs made a dramatic appearance to raise awareness for the effects of climate change. The Bionieuws pub quiz was another exciting feature, with Group A emerging victorious in a thrilling competition. This all was complemented with lots of dancing, chatting, bowling and digital graffiti painting.
Awards and Recognitions
The conference concluded with an awards ceremony celebrating various achievements. Eva Corssmit and Severin te Lindert were honoured as winners of the Capturing the Art of Life contest, showcasing two distinctly mesmerizing artworks. Poster prize winners Richard Dearden (1st), Alexander Koehnsen (2nd), and Tessa Visscher (3rd) were recognized for their outstanding contributions. Additionally, Nina van Sorge was celebrated as the Stairway to Impact winner, and Femke van Wijk received the Athena Award, both taking the spotlight for their exceptional accomplishments
Overall, the fifth edition of NWO Life was a fulfilling event, marked by a vibrant exchange of ideas, interdisciplinary collaborations, and a blend of scientific and artistic excellence.
Connections created across the disciplines with in the life sciences are vital. They form a strong base for a future proof field, with a unified voice. NWO Life is thé place to connect with corners of the field you would not normally meet.
We can't wait to welcome you again next year at NWO Life2025: 27 & 28 May!