Translating European Expertise to Pandemic Preparedness

Workshop

Braunschweig

28.04.26 - 29.04.26

Scientific

HZI Campus

PREPARE-EU Workshop

It is our pleasure to invite you to our joint PREPARE-EU “Translating European Expertise to Pandemic Preparedness“ Workshop, which is held within the framework of the EU project PCR-4-ALL (coordinated by KU Leuven, Belgium) and supported by the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), taking place in Braunschweig, Germany, from April 28–29, 2026.

After a very successful spring school connecting diverse European pandemic Preparedness initiatives, we would now like to provide a follow-up, with a workshop looking more closely into Translation perspectives. How can research initiatives more clearly be translated to action? What is the role of newer institutions and organisations in a European pandemic Preparedness Framework?

The aim of pandemic preparedness research is to ensure, through multidisciplinary efforts, that a rapid and effective response can be mounted at any time to emerging infectious agents with pandemic potential. With this in mind, the workshop is aimed at doctoral and postdoctoral students as well as other experts from academia and industry who are active in a wide variety of research and activity fields, such as infectious diseases, emerging health threats, zoonotic transmission, technologies for the detection of infectious diseases, epidemiology, mathematical and economic modeling of pandemics, vaccinology, One Health approaches, and the social and ethical implications of pandemics.

The workshop will convene distinguished experts and researchers from across the Europe to advance the discussion on pandemic preparedness to further develop well-established as well as to formulate new and creative approaches. The meeting will provide a platform for high-level scientific exchange and foster interdisciplinary collaboration at the interface of epidemiology and its neighboring disciplines. We are looking forward to welcoming you in Braunschweig for this important event dedicated to shaping the future of pandemic preparedness – one of the major global challenges ahead.

Where: Forum, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) , Inhoffenstraße 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS

Chiara Sepulcri, B-PATH, San Raffaele Scientific Institute
Christian Sieben, COMBINE, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research
Jeroen Lammertyn, DECIPHER, KU Leuven
Christian Drosten, DURABLE, DZIF and NUM-SAR, Charité Berlin
Lisa Hermans, ESCAPE, Hasselt University
Niel Hens, ESCAPE, Hasselt University, University of Antwerp
Shashank Pinnapireddy, EVH, Marburg University
Dragana Spasic, FORTIFIEDx, DECIPHER and PCR-4-ALL, KU Leuven
Nico Vandaele, LEAPS and DURABLE, KU Leuven
Catherine Decouttere; LEAPS and DURABLE, KU Leuven
Janne Vehreschild, NUM SN, NUM SNID, DZIF TI BBD, Goethe Universität Frankfurt
Simone Scheithauer, NUM-SAR, Universität Göttingen
Paola De Benedictis, OneBAT, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe)
Hans Jørgen Overgaard, PANDASIA, Norwegian University of Life Sciences
Xevi Casadevall i Solvas, PCR-4-ALL, KU Leuven
Berit Lange, SUNRISE, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research
Olga Hovardovska, SUNRISE, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research
Ines Thiers/ Hans Steenackers, Triple-A-COAT, KU Leuven
Electra Gizeli, UniHealth, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas
Alice McHardy, CoVerage, DZIF, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research
Thomas Pietschmann, DZIF, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research
Christian Wimmer, European Commission - Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) - Intelligence Gathering, Analysis and Innovation
Maximilian Görlitz, European Commission - Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) - Intelligence Gathering, Analysis and Innovation
Thomas Hofmann, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)- Unit Emergency, Preparedness and Response
Nils Lilienthal, BfArM
Lukas Brümmer, Heidelberg University Hospital
Julia Fitzner, World Health Organization Emergencies Programme
Joachim Bug, ZEPAI - Center for Pandemic Vaccines and Therapeutics
Stefan H.E. Kaufmann, Max-Planck-Gesellschaft
Kaspar Wyss, SwissTPH

PRELIMINARY PROGRAM

28th – 29th April, 2026

Session I – Assessing and implementing countermeasures for pandemics
Session II – Zoonotic infections, entry and spill over risk estimation
Session III – Laboratories, Diagnostics & digital tools for Europe - next generation surveillance
Session IV – Data Spaces, Modelling & AI – from prediction to policy decision
Session V - Research and coordination frameworks for a connected European preparedness Network
Policy Roundtable - A Roadmap for a connected European Preparedness Network – Panel Discussion

In addition to the scientific sessions, the program includes poster sessions, a networking dinner and a poster prize award supported by HZI | Friends of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research.

The detailed program will be available soon.

REGISTRATION AND ABSTRACT SUBMISSION

Registration and abstract submission are open now. Due to limited capacity, early registration is strongly recommended. Once the maximum number of participants is reached, a waiting list will be established.

Registration deadline: 13^th April 2026

We warmly welcome abstract submissions for poster presentations or talks.

Please structure your abstract according to standard scientific conventions: Introduction, Methods and Materials, Results, Discussion, and Outlook. Submissions should be clear, concise, and focused on the essential findings. The maximum length is 400 words (approx. 2,000 characters). Abstracts not meeting these criteria will not be considered.

Abstract submission deadline extended to 7^th April 2026

Submit Abstract here

Partners involved

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Organising Team

Elisabeth Bastkowski
Helga Brink
Robyn Kettlitz
Carolina Klett-Tammen
Christina Kuczewski
Maren Wieder

Links

Practical Information

More information about your travel to HZI and your stay in Braunschweig
HZI | HZI Campus
HZI | Directions to HZI Campus

Recommended Hotels in Braunschweig:
Magni Boutique Hotel
Website: https://www.magniboutiquehotel.de
IntercityHotel Braunschweig
Website: IntercityHotel Braunschweig
Pentahotel Braunschweig
Website: Willkommen im Penta Hotel in Braunschweig | Penta Hotels
B&B Hotel Braunschweig
Website: Günstige Hotels in Braunschweig ❘ B&B Hotels
Information about other hotels in Braunschweig can be found on the tourist information website
Website: Unterkünfte

Registration for PREPARE-EU Workshop

Due to limited capacity, early registration is strongly recommended. Once the maximum number of participants is reached, a waiting list will be established.

Salutation / Title

First Name*

Last Name*

Email (institutional)*

Institution*

Department*

Address*

Country*

Payment categories*

Students¹ (BSc, MSc, PhD): 120,00 €

Members of PCR4ALL and DZIF Consortium: 150,00 €

Others: 200,00 €

¹Please prove student status via certificate as an attachment to prepare-eu@helmholtz-hzi.de, subject line “Status”

The registration fee includes participation in the workshop, workshop materials, conference dinner on April 28th, as well as lunches and coffee breaks for both days.

Data usage*

I agree to my name and institution being presented in the list of participants. Consent to Data Storage for Future Invitations I agree that my registration data may be stored for the purpose of further invitations to similar events. I agree that photos may be taken during the event.

Data protection*

I agree that my contact details collected here may be stored and processed for the purpose of contacting me. I have taken note of the HZI's privacy policy and have been informed of my rights.