Science and Space Symposium | Biomedical Research beyond Earth – GIMM – CARE
Science and Space Symposium | Biomedical Research beyond Earth – GIMM – CARE
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Science and Space Symposium | Biomedical Research beyond Earth

On 21 and 22 October 2026, the first edition of the Science and Space Symposium | Biomedical Research beyond Earth will take place at Auditorium 52 (Edifício Egas Moniz, Lisbon), as a collaboration between GIMM CARE, a programme of GIMM – Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine, the Lisbon School of Medicine (FMUL – Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa), the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Portuguese Space Agency (PTSpace).

Over the course of two days, this symposium will foster discussion on emerging research areas and perspectives for scientific and translational development in the space context, with a particular focus on topics such as ageing, microbiome, radiation, and cardiovascular.

The programme includes scientific sessions, keynote lectures, poster presentations, and a public round table, with the aim of bringing together researchers, clinicians, and stakeholders from the space sector. The public session is intended to raise awareness in society about the importance of space research and its close connection to the prospects and challenges of space exploration.

This symposium will also feature the participation of several international speakers, as well as specialists and representatives from the organizing institutions.

Registrations closed.

Event Details

21-22 October 2026


Auditorium 52 (Edifício Egas Moniz)

Program

13h30-14h00 | Check-in

14h00-14h30 | Institutional Presentations
Cláudia Faria, GIMM CARE Director
João Eurico da Fonseca, FMUL Dean
Hugo André Costa, Portuguese Space Agency Executive Director

14h30-15h30 | Keynote Speaker
Angelique Van Ombergen, European Space Agency (ESA), Chief Exploration Scientist
Moderator: Cláudia Faria, GIMM CARE Director

15h30-16h15 | Coffee Break and Poster Session

Scientific Session 1: Ageing
16h15-17h00 | Joana Neves (GIMM, Group Leader) and Nandy Goswami (Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Professor)
Moderator: Christiane Hahn, ESA, Science Lead for Biology

17h00 | Cocktail and Networking
09h00-09h30 | Keynote Speaker
Kimberly Washington, Deep Space Biology, CEO
Moderator: Hugo André Costa, Portuguese Space Agency, Executive Director

Scientific Session 2: Microbiome
09h30-10h10 | Nicholas Brereton (University College Dublin, Assistant Professor/Lecturer) and Christine Moiss (Medical University Graz, Professor)
Moderator: Isabel Gordo, GIMM, Group Leader

Scientific Session 3: Radiation
10h10-10h50 | Sylvain V. Costes (University of Pittsburgh, Professor) and Marco Durante (GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research, Biophysics Department Director
Moderator: Susana Constantino, FMUL – Centro Cardiovascular da Universidade de Lisboa, Professor)

10h50-11h30 | Coffee Break and Poster Session

Opportunities in Space Science
11h30-12h30 | Matthias Maurer (ESA, Astronaut) and Diogo Paupério Abreu (Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores, Tecnologia e Ciência, Researcher)
Moderators: Cristóvão Sousa (GIMM CARE Head of R&D and Edson Oliveira (FMUL – Centro de Estudos de Medicina Aeroespacial, Coordinator)

Scientific Session 4: Cardiovascular
12h30-13h30 | Diana Aguiar de Sousa (FMUL, Professor) and Suzanne Cannegieter
Biobank Showcase: Ângela Afonso (GIMM, Biobank Technical Manager)
Moderator: Fausto Pinto (FMUL – Centro de Estudos de Medicina Aeroespacial, Director)

13h30-14h30 | Lunch Break

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

14h30-15h00 | Pitch of the 2 Best Posters

Panel with Astronaut Scientist
15h00-15h50 | Matthias Maurer (ESA, Astronaut)
Moderator: Sara Sá (GIMM, Science Communication Lead)

Roundtable
15h50-16h50 | Sérgio Dias (GIMM CARE, Group Leader), Edson Oliveira (FMUL – Centro de Estudos de Medicina Aeroespacial, Coordinator), Joan Alabart (Portuguese Space Agency, Space Exploration Officer and Rui Santos (AED Cluster Portugal, Managing Director)

16h50-17h00 | Closing Remarks and Awards Ceremony