8:30 Registration
9:00 Welcome to the VMSD
Jan Mees, general director VLIZ
9:05 Predoc presentations
- A long-term standardized assessment of the influence of dredge disposal activities on different ecosystem components in the Belgian part of the North Sea
Stephie Seghers, ILVO - AI in marine sciences: detection and classification of marine vessels with underwater acoustic data
Wout Decrop, VLIZ - Assessing plastics dynamics in a typical estuarine zone during full high tide cycles
Rosa Sawan, Université du Littoral - Exploring the diversity of DNA viruses in the North Sea using a metagenomic approach
Hisham Mohammed Shaikh, Ghent University & VLIZ - Immune receptor- and transcription factor-stimulatory effects of bacteria and endotoxin in sea spray aerosols on human cells
Yunmeng Li, Antwerp University, Ghent University & VLIZ - Past and present carbon dynamics in the Scheldt estuary as traced by changes in the isotopic composition of dissolved inorganic and particulate organic carbon
Sybrien Lievens, VUB - Quaternary sediments of the southern North Sea: core analyses in aid of paleo-reconstructions - A case study of the Brown Bank, The Netherlands
Kimberly Demeestere, Ghent University - Sand, sand, sand, where does it all end?
Ludovic Lepers, Institute of Natural Sciences - Shallow bioturbation promotes benthic iron release more than deeper bioturbation
Cathrin Wittig, Ghent University - The history of Bruges is written in water
Dieter Verwerft, Raakvlak – Stad Brugge
10:05 Coffee break + poster session
11:05 Interviews with Brilliant Marine Research Idea grant winners
11:35 Lighthouse pitches
11:40 Keynote presentation - Shaping our blue future: The EU Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters
John Bell, director European Commission DG Research & Innovation
12:10 Lunch break + interactive session on Biodiversity*, Climate* & Pollution* + poster session
* click on the theme for a detailed overview
13:25 Welcome to the afternoon programme
13:30 Keynote presentation
Paul Rose, explorer - broadcaster
14:00 Predoc presentations
- Quantification of panarctic benthic-pelagic carbon and nutrients fluxes
Emeric Babut du Marès, Université libre de Bruxelles - How Ulva blooms: unravelling the genetic architecture of green tides
Emma Coulembier Vandelannoote, Ghent University - What can be discovered from the most elaborate aquatic citizen science project inventory in Europe?
Line Debaveye, VLIZ - Ammothea hilgendorfi: a new invasive species on the Belgian Coast
Antoine Flandroit, Université Mons - Analyzing Belgian marine soundscapes using unknown sound events
Clea Parcerisas, Ghent University & VLIZ - Impact of weathered and virgin polyethylene terephthalate nanoplastics on growth dynamics and the production of Extracellular Polymeric Substance (EPS) by microalgae
Marie Sioen, Ghent University - Mobilization and distribution of trace metals in the Scheldt sediments
Guanlei Li, Vrije Universiteit Brussel - Predictive modelling of Atlantic herring distribution in the North Sea for informed decision-making
Ward Standaert, VLIZ - Protected yet unmanaged: insights into the ecological status of conservation priority stony reefs in Belgian waters based on the integrative use of remote sensing technologies
Silvia Paoletti, Institute of Natural Sciences - Plant establishment and plant-sand feedbacks as fundaments for dune-for-dike nature-based solutions
Charlotte Taelman, Ghent University
15:00 Coffee break + interactive session on Biodiversity*, Climate* & Pollution* + poster session
* click on the theme for a detailed overview
16:00 Award winners’ presentations
16:30 Award ceremony
17:00 Reception (until 18:30)