This year's conference welcomed 450 participants, including nearly 150 PhD students, over 60 postdoctoral researchers, more than 60 research technicians, numerous principal investigators (PIs), senior researchers, and members of the CCA office. From the very beginning, the atmosphere was warm and energetic—with lively conversations and laughter filling the reception area.
The conference opened with a keynote by Joost Huiskens, CMIO at Microsoft, who gave an eye-opening overview of the current and future role of AI in healthcare. His talk sparked thoughtful reflection on the rapidly evolving landscape and the opportunities that remain for innovation within Amsterdam UMC.
The first poster session followed, with half of the 113 submitted posters presented in a pitch format. It was inspiring to see the breadth and depth of research being conducted across the institute.
Photo by Rafael Smit
Photo by Rafael Smit
After lunch, three researchers—Helga Simon-Molas, Tim Mocking, and Maxine Gorter—took center stage during the plenary session. Their abstracts were selected from over 70 submissions, and their presentations were a testament to the scientific excellence within the CCA community.
The afternoon continued with parallel oral presentation sessions, each aligned with specific research programs, and featured the Patient-Research Group (PRG) sessions. These PRGs are essential to CCA's mission of bridging preclinical and clinical research to improve cancer care.
Later that afternoon, PIs and senior researchers gathered for the PI Meeting, which included:
- A showcase by Rienke van der Ven and Jan-Jaap Hendrickx on their successful collaboration in the Head & Neck PRG,
- An inspiring talk by Guus Smit about the Adore concept—an interdisciplinary initiative linking oncology and neurology,
- A follow-up by Christine de Veij Mestdagh, encouraging researchers to join one of the Adore focus groups (more info here),
- A thought-provoking session by Wouter Hehenkamp and Annemijn Aarts on sustainability in oncology research and care—crucial for future generations.
- And a clear an concise overview by Clare Elbers highlighting CCA's valorization strategy and key priorities for tanslating researcxh into impact.
While the PIs exchanged ideas, other participants joined the social program, choosing from relaxing and creative workshops such as yoga & mindfulness, Mexican chili tasting, kimchi tasting, and cardboard calligraphy, a number of them outside in the sunny weather.
The first day concluded with a festive dinner, drinks, and the traditional CCA party, featuring a great DJ and lively dancing well into the night. For the true night owls, the celebrations continued at the hotel’s bowling alley!
Despite the short night for some, the scientific program resumed promptly at 09:00 the next morning with new parallel oral presentation sessions. The final keynote was delivered by Prof. Eirini Papapetrou (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY), who shared groundbreaking insights on the clonal evolution of myeloid leukemia.
After a final round of PRG sessions and the second poster session, the conference closed with the much-anticipated Award Ceremony, recognizing outstanding contributions across categories:
🏆 CCA Publication Award – 1st Prize: Hilal Sensoy
🎓 CCA Thesis Award – 1st Prize: Roeland Lameris
🎓 CCA Thesis Award – 2nd Prize: Iris Miedema
🎓 CCA Thesis Award – 3rd Prize: Sjors in 't Veld
📊 CCA Poster Awards: Yumna Butt & Sophie Vromans
Maarten Bijlsma, Hilal Sensoy
Maarten Bijlsma, Iris Miedema, Roeland Lameris, Sjors in 't Veld
The winners of the publication and thesis awards were invited to briefly present their work, a fitting finale to a conference full of inspiration and discovery.
Yumna Butt
Sophie Vromans
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the organizing committee, the poster and oral presentation committees, the social program team, and all participants. Your energy, enthusiasm, and commitment made this event a resounding success once again.
See you next year!
