Conference Program
Widening Participation in Horizon Europe: Sharing Best Practices
This interactive session invites experienced Horizon Europe coordinators and participants to exchange insights on managing “Widening Participation” projects. Connect with peers from Eastern Europe and the Baltics, share success stories and challenges, and explore strategies for building cross-border collaborations.
Anna Vosečková | Technology Centre Prague, Czech Republic
“Widening, what else?“
Emílie Trakalová | Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Czech Republic
Christopher Marrs | Dresden University of Technology, Germany
“Proposal, People, Pitfalls: Behind the Scenes of the EarthBridge Twinning Project“
Ondřej Bar | Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
Nina Becker | Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Germany
“Making Widening Work: CREATIC Insights on Building, Leading, and Scaling a Teaming Project“
Organizers: ZEUSS
Studio West (Salon West)
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AI-Driven Innovations: From Research to Application
The HZDR Innovators School and the HZDR AI Lab invites to an inspiring session showcasing how advances in AI research can be applied to practical applications. Researchers and experts from HZDR and partner institutions will share insights into transfer projects, spin-off initiatives and infrastructure solutions. After the short Lightning Talks, the conversation continues with an interactive panel discussion using Mentimeter, where you can ask your questions and share your thoughts on how scientific breakthroughs can effectively lead to impact-driven technologies.
Samuel Pantze | CASUS/ HZDR, Germany
“Intuitive Software for AI-Supported 3D Cell Tracking Using Virtual Reality”
Israt Jahan Tulin | HZDR, Germany
“HPC Gateway: Infrastructure and Consulting for Academia and Industry”
Maleeha Hassan | HZDR, Germany
“trustPAIKON: Joint Research by Start-Ups and Academia”
Andréa de Lima Ribeiro | HIF/ HZDR, Germany
“A Smart Sensor Network for non-invasive identification of semiconductors”
Organizers: HZDR Innovators School, HZDR AI Lab
Moderator: Peter Steinbach | Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Germany
Nancy Spero Saal
Throughout the day, various start-ups and initiatives focused on Artificial Intelligence will showcase their work at information booths located in the foyer.
Entry Festspielhaus
This welcoming session marks the official start of the conference. The hosts of the event offer opening remarks, setting the tone for two days of international exchange, collaboration, and inspiration.
Heike Graßmann | State Secretary SMWK, Germany
Sebastian M. Schmidt | Scientific Director of Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Germany
Moderator: Jan-Martin Wiarda
Großer Saal (Main Hall)
Interview and then Performance by SCANAUDIENCE (Italy)
Moderator: Jan-Martin Wiarda
Großer Saal (Main Hall)
Tadas Tumėnas | Head of Lithuanian RDI Liaison Office in Brussels, Lithuanian RDI Liaison Office in Brussels (LINO)
Talk: Enhancing Lithuania’s Global Knowledge Presence
Moderator: Jan-Martin Wiarda
Großer Saal (Main Hall)
Artistic Performance by Moritz Simon Geist (Dresden)
Großer Saal (Main Hall)
Throughout the day, various start-ups and initiatives focused on Artificial Intelligence will showcase their work at information booths located in the foyer.
Entry Festspielhaus
This session opens the second day of the conference and introduces the scientific program. The hosts of the event welcome participants and provide context for the day’s thematic focus on interdisciplinary research, collaboration, and innovation.
Sebastian Gemkow | Saxon State Minister of Science, Germany
Sebastian M. Schmidt | Scientific Director of Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Germany
Regina Valutyte | Vice-Minister of Education, Science and Sport, Lithuania
Moderator: Jan-Martin Wiarda
Großer Saal (Main Hall)
The Archimedes Science Award honors outstanding scientific achievement with societal relevance. The ceremonial bestowal brings together prominent representatives of Germany’s leading research organizations to celebrate excellence and foresight.
Awardee: Cordelia Schmid
Michael Kretschmer | Minister-President of the Free State of Saxony, Germany
Otmar D. Wiestler | President of the Helmholtz Association, Germany
Claudia Felser | Vice President of the Max Planck Society, Germany
Holger Hanselka | President of the Fraunhofer Society, Germany
Walter Rosenthal | President of the German Rectors’ Conference, Germany
Sebastian M. Schmidt | Scientific Director of Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Germany
Ursula M. Staudinger | Rector Dresden University of Technology, Germany
Moderator: Jan-Martin Wiarda
Großer Saal (Main Hall)
The keynote speech by the Archimedes Science Award recipient offers personal insights into groundbreaking research and its broader implications. It serves as both inspiration and a call to action for the next generation of scientists.
Awardee: Cordelia Schmid
Talk: Artificial intelligence: past, present and future
Großer Saal (Main Hall)
Top-level representatives from several European ministries explore the interface of science policy and research funding. This panel highlights national strategies and common goals in fostering international collaboration and scientific excellence.
Michael Kretschmer | Minister-President of the Free State of Saxony, Germany
Tomasz Kajdanowicz | Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Poland
Christian Stegmann | Director of the Astroparticle Physics Division at the research center DESY, Germany
Regina Valutyte | Vice-Minister of Education, Science and Sport, Lithuania
Jaroslav Zajicek | Director for International Affairs, Chancellery of the President, Czech Republic
Moderator: Julia Nitzschner
Großer Saal (Main Hall)
In three parallel sessions, emerging talents and renowned researchers present cutting-edge projects in AI & Health, AI & Energy, and AI & Microelectronics. Short talks and interactive discussions create space for knowledge sharing and fresh perspectives.
Session: AI and Health
Anja Braune | Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Germany
Peter Horváth | HUN-REN Biological Research Centre Szeged, Hungary
Ivo Sbalzarini | Dresden University of Technology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Germany
Martin Sedlmayr | Dresden University of Technology, Germany
Virgilijus Ulozas | Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Lithuania
Artur Yakimovich | CASUS Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Germany
Moderator: Jan-Martin Wiarda
Großer Saal (Main Hall)
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Session: AI and Energy
Tomasz Bulik | University of Warsaw, Poland
Werner Dobrautz | CASUS Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Germany
Pavel Kordik | Czech Technical University Prague, Czech Republic
András Zénó Gyöngyösi | MouldTech Systems Ltd. (industrial partner of the Széchenyi István University), Hungary
Michael Kramer | Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy Bonn, Germany
Thomas Kühne | CASUS Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Germany
Moderator: Philipp von Haymerle | CASUS Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Germany
Nancy Spero Saal
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Session: AI and Microelectronics
Andrius Katkevičius | Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Lithuania
Akash Kumar | Ruhr University Bochum, Germany
Peter Schneider | Dresden University of Technology/Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS, Germany
István Szászi | Bosch Hungary and Adriatic Region, Hungary
Pranciškus Vitta | Vilnius University, Faculty of Physics, Lithuania
Mindaugas Zilys | Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania
Moderator: Peter Steinbach | Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Germany
Dalcroze Saal
This interactive matchmaking session is all about building new research partnerships. In themed group discussions, participants connect based on shared interests and explore concrete ideas for future cooperation in AI-driven fields.
Session: AI and Health
Moderators: Carsten Glück (ZEUSS), Julia Busch-Casler (HZDR), Michaela Holz (DLR Project Management Agency)
Großer Saal (Main Hall)
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Session: AI and Energy
Moderators: Alexander Hesse (ZEUSS), Maik Scholz (NKS KEM), Agnes Vosen (HZDR)
Nancy Spero Saal
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Session: AI and Microelectronics
Moderators: Juliana Rodrigues Kozovits (ZEUSS), Alexander Khanin (NKS DIT)
Dalcroze Saal
Sebastian M. Schmidt | Scientific Director at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Germany
Moderator: Jan-Martin Wiarda
Großer Saal (Main Hall)
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