We are delighted to invite you to the first Transplantation Center Utrecht (TCU) Research & Innovation Symposium, taking place on Friday, 26 June 2026, in the Booth Hall of the Utrecht University Library.
This symposium brings together researchers, clinicians, and innovators from across UMC Utrecht who share an interest in transplantation research and innovation. The day will provide an inspiring platform to exchange ideas, showcase groundbreaking research, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, and further shape the growing TCU community.
Why attend?
Throughout the day, experts from a wide range of transplantation-related fields — including kidney, heart, and lung transplantation, plastic surgery, and cornea research — will share the latest scientific developments and clinical innovations.
Program | TCU Research & Innovation Symposium
10:00 – 16:00
🎤 Welcome and opening remarks, Linda van Laake, Chair of TCU
⭐ Keynote lecture: Research in Ex Situ Heart Perfusion: challenges and opportunities, Saskia de Jager, Associate Professor
🧪 Scientific Session I
– Lung transplantation, Bart Luijk, Pulmonologist
– Tissue engineering from bench to bedside, Alain van Mil, Assistant Professor
– Epidemiology, Robin Vernooij, Assistant Professor
⚡ Flash talks by young investigators
🍽 Lunch & poster session
💬 Interactive workshops & world café sessions
🎤 Welcome and opening remarks, Joost Sluijter, Head Research of TCU
⭐ Keynote lecture: Kidney transplantation, immunology & diagnostics, Eric Spierings, Associate Professor
🧪 Scientific Session II
– HOPE at Heart trial, Mostafa Mokhles, Associate Professor & Cardiothoracic Surgeon
– Nursing Science, Tiny Jaarsma, Full Professor of Nursing Science
– Novel artificial kidney technologies, Karin Gerritsen, Associate Professor, Internist-Nephrologist & Clinical Scientist
🎤 Closing remarks of Arjan van Zuilen, Vice Chair of TCU
16:00 – 17:00
🥂 Networking drinks reception
To support the organization of the event, we kindly ask you to register in advance.
We look forward to welcoming you on 26 June for a day of inspiring discussions, new collaborations, and shared ambition for the future of transplantation research at UMC Utrecht.
Kind regards,
On behalf of the organizing committee
Linda van Laake, Arjan van Zuilen, Saskia de Jager, Eric Spierings, Sue Braithwaite, Mostafa Mokhles, Bart Luijk, Marish Oerlemans, Cornel Kerkhof, Ingrid Faber, Heleen Romeijn, Roemer Janse and Nienke Vrisekoop