Agenda and speakers

8:00 - 9:00

Registration, networking and poster set-up

9:00 -

9:15

Welcome

9:15 - 10:00

Keynote address

Speaker: Mihaela van der Schaar, The Francis Crick Institute and University of Cambridge

10:00 - 10:30

Networking break, exhibition and poster viewing

10:30 - 12:05

Molecular and cellular determinants of radiation response

This session will explore the fundamental biological mechanisms that determine how molecules and cells within tumours and normal tissues sense and respond to radiation. Speakers will discuss advances in our understanding of DNA damage and repair, cell fate and plasticity, tumour evolution, metabolic adaptation and mechanisms of sensitivity and resistance. The session will highlight how mechanistic, hypothesis-driven research is advancing our understanding of radiation biology and providing a foundation for future therapeutic innovation.

Co-chairs:

Shane Harding, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

Steve Jackson, University of Cambridge

Speakers:

Jessica Downs, Institute of Cancer Research

Ester Hammond, University of Oxford

Shane Harding, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

Proffered talk: To be selected from abstract submissions

12:05 - 12:30

Emerging researchers’ flash talks - Molecular and cellular determinants of radiation response

Co-chairs:

Shane Harding, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

Steve Jackson, University of Cambridge

Speakers will be selected from abstract submissions

12:30 - 13:45

Lunch, exhibition and poster viewing

13:45 - 14:35

Panel: Patient involvement in radiation research

14:35 - 15:00

Emerging researchers’ flash talks - Tumour microenvironment and immune responses to radiation

Co-chairs:

Silvia Formenti, Weill Cornell Medicine

Anna Wilkins, Institute of Cancer Research

Speakers will be selected from abstract submissions

15:00 - 15:30

Networking break, exhibition and poster viewing

15:30 - 17:05

Tumour microenvironment and immune responses to radiation

This session will explore how interactions between tumour cells, the microenvironment and the immune system shape radiation response. Speakers will discuss the role of hypoxia, stromal and immune remodelling, metabolic adaptation and spatial and fractionation-dependent effects in determining treatment outcomes. The session will highlight emerging opportunities to harness tumour ecosystem biology to overcome resistance and improve the effectiveness of radiation-based therapies.

Co-chairs:

Silvia Formenti, Weill Cornell Medicine

Anna Wilkins, Institute of Cancer Research

Speakers:

Nir Ben Chetrit, Weill Cornell Medicine

Erik Sahai, The Francis Crick Institute

Erik Wennerberg, Institute of Cancer Research

Proffered talk: To be selected from abstract submissions

17:05 - 17:10

Closing remarks

17:10 - 18:10

Networking reception and poster viewing

8:00 - 9:00

Registration, networking and poster set-up

9:00 - 9:05

Opening remarks

9:05 - 10:50

Innovative radiation modalities and biological paradigms

This session will explore innovative radiation modalities and the new biological paradigms they are enabling. From particle therapy and targeted radionuclide treatment to FLASH and spatially fractionated radiotherapy, speakers will examine how novel approaches are reshaping our understanding of radiation response, challenging conventional radiobiological models and creating opportunities to improve tumour control while reducing normal tissue toxicity.

Co-chairs:

Julie Nonnekens, Erasmus MC Rotterdam

Jason Parsons, University of Birmingham

Speakers:

Marco Durante, GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research

Julie Nonnekens, Erasmus MC Rotterdam

Kristoffer Petersson, University of Oxford

Proffered talk: To be selected from abstract submissions

10:50 - 11:10

Emerging researchers’ flash talks - Innovative radiation modalities and biological paradigms

Co-chairs:

Julie Nonnekens, Erasmus MC Rotterdam

Jason Parsons, University of Birmingham

Speakers will be selected from abstract submissions

11:10 - 11:40

Networking break, exhibition and poster viewing

11:40 - 12:40

Panel: Bridging the equity gap in radiation research and care

Chair: Yolande Lievens, Ghent Universit

12:40 - 13:55

Lunch, exhibition and poster viewing

13:55 - 15:35

Data-driven and predictive radiation biology

This session will explore how computational approaches, imaging, multi-omics data and predictive modelling are transforming our understanding of radiation response. Speakers will discuss how data-driven methods can uncover mechanisms of sensitivity and resistance, identify biologically distinct patient populations and support the development of biologically informed treatment strategies.

Co-chairs:

Fei-Fei Liu, Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Raj Jena, University of Cambridge

Speakers:

Scott Bratman, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

Agnieszka Jugowicz, The University of Manchester

Proffered talk: To be selected from abstract submissions

15:35 - 15:55

Emerging researchers’ flash talks - Data-driven and predictive radiation biology

Co-chairs:

Fei-Fei Liu, Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Raj Jena, University of Cambridge

Speakers will be selected from abstract submissions

15:55 - 16:25

Networking break, exhibition and poster viewing

16:25 - 17:15

Keynote address: Radiation oncology biology integration network - ideas, implementation, impact

Speaker: Jeffrey Buchsbaum, National Cancer Institute

17:15 - 17:20

Closing remarks

17:30 - 19:30

Extended networking reception and poster viewing

8:30 - 9:00

Networking and morning pastries

9:00 - 9:05

Opening remarks

9:05 - 10:00

Panel: Radiopharmaceuticals: translational journey from target discovery through to clinical implementation

Panellists:

Wolfgang Fendler, University Hospital Essen

Marika Nestor, Uppsala Universitat

Julie Nonnekens, Erasmus MC Rotterdam

10:00 - 10:30

Networking break and exhibition

10:30 - 12:05

Translating discovery into clinical impact

This session will explore how advances in radiation biology are transforming clinical research and patient care. Through examples spanning biomarker development, biological stratification, therapeutic intervention and patient monitoring, speakers will demonstrate how mechanistic insights can guide clinical decision-making and accelerate the translation of discovery into impact.

Co-chairs:

Fernanda Herrera, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois

David Sebag-Montefiore, University of Leeds

Speakers:

Anthony Chalmers, University of Glasgow

Eric Deutsch, Gustave Roussy

Proffered talk: To be selected from abstract submissions

12:05 - 12:30

Emerging researchers’ flash talks - Translating discovery into clinical impact

Co-chairs:

Fernanda Herrera, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois

David Sebag-Montefiore, University of Leeds

Speakers will be selected from abstract submissions

12:30 - 13:45

Lunch and exhibition

13:45 - 14:45

Panel: What is the future of the radiation discipline?

Chair: David Sebag-Montefiore, University of Leeds

Panellists:

Eric Deutsch, Gustave Roussy

Fei-Fei Liu, Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Jason Parsons, University of Birmingham

14:45 - 15:05

Poster prizes and conference close