Last Year's Congress

The theme of ISCOMS 2024 was ‘Future Medicine’. In a world that is constantly evolving, the (bio)medical field is at the forefront of innovation, shaping the course of healthcare for generations to come. Our theme for ISCOMS 2024 was a testament to this exciting journey of exploration, discovery, inclusion and transformation. 

‘Future Medicine’ is not just a glimpse into what lies ahead; it is a beacon guiding us towards a healthcare landscape that is smarter, more accessible, and profoundly impactful. From artificial intelligence to molecular mysteries, to personalised medicine, ISCOMS 2024 promised to be a platform where students, researchers, and professionals converge to shape the future of healthcare. 

ISCOMS 2024 kicked off on Monday, 3rd of June 2024, with a Pre-course day focused on enhancing research skills. Participants engaged in hands-on masterclasses and attended lectures to strengthen their research skills.

The official opening of the congress took place on Tuesday, 4th of June, chaired by Prof. Wiro Niessen. The theme for the day, ‘Artificial Intelligence: Friend or Foe?’, was explored through keynote lectures delivered by Prof. Mihaela van der Schaar and Prof. Anne Schwerk. Selected participants had the opportunity to present their research through oral or poster presentations. The day concluded with a formal dinner at the historic Prinsenhof in Groningen.

On Wednesday, 5th of June, the congress focused on the theme ‘Molecular Mysteries’.  Prof. Marthe Walvoort served as chair for the day. The day started with a keynote lecture from Prof. Dennis Lo Yuk Ming, followed by a live surgery demonstrating the removal of a vestibular schwannoma. The day culminated with a lecture by Nobel laureate Prof. Brian Kobilka. The evening concluded with a range of social and recreational activities, including a boat tour, laser gaming, and a yoga workshop.

The final day of ISCOMS, Thursday, 6th of June, was opened by Prof. Mukesh Kapila, with Prof. Marie-José van Tol serving as chair. The theme of the day, ‘Planetary Health’, was explored through various presentations, including a special patient lecture in collaboration with Project MARCH, where a patient shared his experiences using an exoskeleton. The congress concluded with a closing ceremony, followed by the ‘Worldwide ISCOMS Night’ celebration in the Groningen city centre.

Sustainability was an essential topic at ISCOMS 2024. On the third day, we delved into the theme ‘Planetary Health’. This day’s lecturers and several workshops focused on sustainability in healthcare. 

The ISCOMS app served as a digital hub for all event-related information, and we have replaced printed posters with digital boards. By providing essential resources in digital format, we significantly diminished our reliance on printed materials and reduced our environmental impact. 

Furthermore, the congress was 100% vegetarian, which saved more than 1800 kilos of CO2, which corresponds to the CO2 emitted from driving 10.000 kilometers by car.

At the sustainability stand, participants could learn about innovative solutions and sustainable practices in the (bio)medical world. We embraced the ‘bring your own bag’ principle. There was no physical congress bag in order to minimise waste. 

Next, we strongly encouraged our European participants to come by train (see the train map of Europe made by the Green Office of the University of Groningen). At the closing ceremony the Sustainability Award was handed out to recognise and celebrate participants who demonstrate exemplary efforts in sustainable travel.