Innovative Solutions to address Current

and
(Re) EMERGING Infectious Diseases at a Global Scale

 

From July 1st to 5th, the Eurolife Summer School at Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) brought together 26 Eurolife MSc and PhD students from diverse backgrounds and nationalities for an intensive five-day program.

Organized by Annemieke Geluk and Robin van den Biggelaar, LUMC, the course featured lectures from Dutch and international experts on key topics such as One Health, AI in Diagnostics, and various models for studying infectious diseases—including mathematical, human, and animal models. Three representatives from Eurolife partner institutions delivered presentations at the event:

Prof. Dr Jayne Hope (University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom)
Prof. Dr. Matti Sallberg (Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden)
Dr. Cristina Garcia (University Barcelona, Spain)

Discussions also covered advancements in vaccination and treatment strategies.

Mycobacterial research was a highlight, with Guido Geerts (CEO of Delft Imaging) presenting AI-based tuberculosis detection software CAD4TB and Nacer Lounis (Johnson & Johnson) discussing treatment advancements with bedaquiline. A visit to the Biomedical Primate Research Center offered further insights, where Frank Verreck spoke about using non-human primates to study mycobacteria.

Throughout the week, students collaborated on group projects, culminating in “white paper” presentations proposing innovative solutions to global infectious disease challenges. The program not only facilitated knowledge exchange and critical thinking but also fostered valuable networking opportunities, laying the groundwork for future collaborations and research initiatives.

Programme is available HERE