INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONGRESS
Where science, innovation and emerging talent meet
24–25 | NOVEMBER | 2026
A two-day international congress focused on biomedical innovation,
scientific exchange and the future of healthcare.
Passion for Science
Congress
Passion for Science Congress is a scientific meeting focused on biomedical research, healthcare innovation and scientific communication. Since its first edition, promoted through the ‘Aula de Medicina Personalizada EHU +Med’ initiative, the congress has continued expanding its scope and community, bringing together students, researchers, and healthcare professionals. The third edition introduces a new two-day format designed to foster interdisciplinary dialogue, collaboration and networking across academia, healthcare
and industry.
Mark your calendar
Registration opens:
September 1
Abstract submission deadline:
October 6
Real-world research experience
Where future researchers take the lead.
Connect.
A space where PhD students and early-career researchers can build future scientific networks.
Recognizing the best contributions
Up to €3,000 in prizes for outstanding research work.
SPEAKEARS OF THE
Congress
Fernando Cossío
Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of the Basque Country and Scientific Director of the Ikerbasque.
More info
Internationally recognised researcher with more than 250 scientific publications, 14 patents and 28 supervised doctoral theses. His work focuses on bioorganic and medicinal chemistry, molecular modelling, reaction mechanisms and innovative therapies with healthcare applications.
Sergio Cardoso
Is Technology Innovation Manager at Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute.
More info
Researcher and innovation professional with over a decade of experience in human genetics, biomedicine and healthcare innovation. He has co-authored more than 50 scientific publications and a patent and specialises in collaborative R&D&I projects and public-private partnerships.
Julen Rodríguez
R&D Specialist at Hylezitek, a company owned by CIC biomaGUNE.
More info
Researcher specialising in nanomedicine, molecular imaging and targeted radiopharmaceuticals. He holds an award-winning PhD in Pharmaceutical Technology, has over 16 scientific publications and coordinates R&D projects with pharmaceutical companies.
María José Alonso
Professor of Pharmaceutical Technology at the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC).
More info
Internationally recognised pioneer in nanomedicine, specialising in vaccination, transmucosal drug delivery and precision oncology. She has authored more than 335 publications and 27 patent families and received over 50 distinctions, including Spain’s National Research Award.
Edurne Rujas
Ikerbasque Research Associate Professor at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) and Fundación Biofísica Bizkaia (FBB)
More info
Specialist in antibody engineering and next-generation biotherapeutics for cancer immunotherapy and infectious diseases. Her research combines structural biology, protein design and immunology. She has authored more than 30 scientific publications and is an inventor on several international patents.
PROGRAM
The meeting is organised by young group leaders from the fields of biocatalysis, structural and synthetic biology
8:30 - 9:30 | Registration & Presentations uploading/poster placement
Main hall of the Faculty of Pharmacy (UPV/EHU)
09:30 – 09:45 | Welcome session
Joxerramon Bengoetxea (Rector of the EHU)
09:45 – 10:15 | PLENARY SPEAKER I
Pedro Miguel Echenique. Physicist, Founder and President of the Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC), and Professor at UPV/EHU
10:45– 11:45 | Roundtable. Ciencia, industria y sociedad: una responsabilidad compartida
- Fernando Cossio (Scientific Director, Ikerbasque)
- Maria Jose Alonso (Professor, University of Santiago de Compostela (USC)
- Jon Umerez (Vice-Rector for Research, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU)
11:45 – 12:15 | Coffee break and Poster viewing
12:15 – 13:00 | Oral presentations. Session I
Selected talks: 7-minute presentation, 3 minutes for Q&A
13:00 – 14:00 | Oral presentations. Session II
Selected talks: 7-minute presentation, 3 minutes for Q&A
14:00 – 15:00 | Lunch break
15:00 – 15:45 | PLENARY SPEAKER II
Bruno Sarmento. Internationally recognized researcher in nanomedicine and drug delivery, Group Leader at i3S, University of Porto
15:45 – 16:45 | Oral presentations. Session III
Selected talks: 7-minute presentation, 3 minutes for Q&A
Flash poster presentations
3 minutes, 1 poster, make your research unforgettable
16:45 – 17:30 | Experiences beyond the Academy
Career Development Specialist
- Edurne Rujas (Professor EHU)
- Julen Rodríguez -Castejón (CIC-Biomagune)
- Sergio Cardoso (BioGipuzkoa)
17:30 – 18:15 | Flash poster presentations
3 minutes, 1 poster, make your research unforgettable
18:15 | Closing Remarks and Awards
09:00 – 09:30 | Registration & welcome
09:30 – 10:00 | BIOPOLYMERS IN ACTION. Biomedical applications of polymers
PLENARY SPEAKER I
Virginia Saez-Martinez. R&D coordinator at i+Med
10:00 – 10:30 | Biopolymers in action. From Fundamentals to Biomedical Applications
PLENARY SPEAKER II
Marcelo Calderón. Research Staff Coordinator in Polymat (area Polymers for Health). Ikerbasque Research Professor at Polymat and EHU.
10:30– 11:00 | Biopolymers in action. From Fundamentals to Biomedical Application
PLENARY SPEAKER III
Speakers subject to final confirmation
11:00– 11:45 | Roundtable. In Conversation: Science, Innovation and Vision
Speaker subject to final confirmation
- Raúl Perez. Scientific Coordinator in i+Med
- Marcelo Calderón
- Moderated by: Virginia Saez-Martinez
11:45 – 12:15 | Coffee break and & “ Create & Connect –Challenge”*
12:15– 12:45 | The Journey to the Patient I: from preclinical to Clinial Trials
PLENARY SPEAKER I
Felipe Goñi (Gaiker / Professor at EHU)
12:45 – 13:15 | The Journey to the Patient I: from preclinical to Clinial Trials
PLENARY SPEAKER II
PDT · Anunced soon
13:15 – 14:00 | Roundtable. Real-World Current Challenges
- Speaker subject to final confirmation
- Regulatory Affairs, i+Med
14:00 – 15:00 | Lunch Break
15:00 – 15:30 | PLENARY SPEAKER II
PLENARY SPEAKER II
Maria Aguirre (BioBasque Agency –Spri)
15:30 – 16:00 | The journey to the Patient II: clinical perspectives and Real Needs
PLENARY SPEAKER I
- PDT Anunced soon
16:00 – 16:30 | The journey to the Patient II: clinical perspectives and Real Needs
PLENARY SPEAKER I
- Aritz Urkola. Head of the Glaucoma Unit, Araba University Hospital Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU)
16:30 – 17:00 | Open Forum: Questions, Challenges and Perspectives
17:00- 17:30 | Closing Remarks and Awards Ceremony
ORGANIZERS OF THE
Congress
Mirari Ayerbe
Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, EHU
Rosa Hernandez
Director of the "Aula de Medicina Personalizada EHU i+Med"
Manoli Igartu
Full Professor of EHU
Sandra Benito
Member of the Governing Council of the Cooperative, i+Med
Nekane Martín
Cooperative Member, i+Med
REGISTRATION
The meeting is organised by young group leaders from the fields of biocatalysis, structural and synthetic biology
Attend as a listener
Complete the following form to register and access congress sessions, activities, and networking opportunities.
Attend and submit your work
Complete the following registration form and upload the abstract of your scientific work for review.
A CONGRESS
OF TWO PARTNERS
Legal
Terms and Conditions
Privacy Policy