Why?

Following the previous ‘Young Algaeneers Symposia’ (YAS) in Wageningen 2012, Montpellier 2014, Malta 2016, and Oban 2018, a new YAS 2021 will be organized with the support of the European Algae Biomass Association (EABA).

EABA expresses the importance of connecting with the young algaeneers, and invites you to join and meet them on May 12. It is very relevant to bring together the main stakeholders for knowledge exchange and collaboration and to learn from others.

This fifth edition is a symposium designed and organised by young scientists for young scientists.
The third day is open for Non Young Algaeneers and on that day, they want to meet the EABA member and others.

Date: May 10, 11 and 12

Chair: David Russo, Postdoc (Friedrich Schiller University Jena, DE)

Organising team:

  • Alberto Niccolai, Postdoc (University of Florence, IT)
  • Julie Zedler, Junior Professor (Friedrich Schiller University Jena, DE)
  • Marine Valton, Enterprise Fellow (Imperial College London/Bio-F Solution, UK)

Interview in AlgaePlanet:

“First and foremost, our aim is to project and give a voice to young algaeneers. The current generation will be moving into leadership positions in the next decade and now is the time to establish our personal brands. It is also our goal to connect young algaeneers to each other. The past 18 months have led to a disruptive shock in the way we work and communicate. We hope the YAS will be a space where Young Algaeneers can reconnect, discuss and enjoy some time together.”

Read the complete interview with David Russo here.

Following the previous ‘Young Algaeneers Symposium’ (YAS) in Wageningen in 2012, Montpellier in 2014, Malta in 2016, and Oban in 2018, a new YAS 2021 will be organized with the support of the European Algae Biomass Association (EABA). The support from EABA provides a platform for this initiative to accelerate and empower young researchers to innovate both in academia and industry. A strong and growing algae biomass sector in Europe will require intersectoral cooperation driven by early career researchers (ECRs). EABA currently organises the annual algae forum “AlgaeEurope”. However, there is currently no forum that specifically caters to the needs and topics of interests of ECRs. The Young Algaeneers Symposium fills this gap by catering to “Young Algaeneers” that are developing their work in algae related topics. The concept of Young Algaeneer includes MSc and PhD students, Postdocs and early-phase Principal Investigators (typically less than 5 years).

This 3-day symposium aims to bring Young Algaeneers together to discuss current challenges and future perspectives of the algal biomass sector. The symposium will include two days of networking, career talks and informal discussions within topic-specific steering committees. The ideas developed across the first two days will then be presented and discussed with senior members of EABA and the European Commission. This will give participants the opportunity to voice their opinions and shape the future of the European algae sector.

A young researcher wishing to take a future role in the Algae Biomass sector, and at the EABA in the longer term. This includes:

Concept programme

Please note: the programme can have changes and be modified along the preparation period

Day 1 For Young Algaeneers only

13:00 Opening and brief introduction

  • Jean-Paul Cadoret, EABA President
  • A green generation with energy for the future – René Wijffels, Professor of Biotechnology, Wageningen University
  • Giving a voice to Young Algaeneers – David Russo, YAS 2021 Chair

13:30 Young Algaeneers speed dating:
Introduce yourself and connect with other participants in a round of short one-to-one meetings

14:30 Microalgae from a Norwegian perspective – Dorinde Kleinegris, Principal Investigator, NORCE

15:00 Set the standard for algae: an overview of the European standardization process and how to get involved – Timo de Groot, Standardization Consultant, NEN

15:30 Break

15:45 Introduction to steering groups
Young Algaeneers will be divided into groups to discuss the current gaps and future of various algae topics

16:00 Steering groups (provisional)

  • Group 1: Algae bioenergy
    Following the boom and bust of biodiesel, is there life in algal biofuels?
  • Group 2: Novel foods from algae
    What products are currently available and what are the upcoming trends? How do we handle non-axenic algal food products?
  • Group 3: Synthetic Biology
    What are the best tools and strategies for algal engineering? How can we integrate GMOs in European legislation
  • Group 4: Algal communities
    The exploitation of algal communities has enormous potential. What is holding it back?
  • Group 5: Biorefinery Design
    What are the ideal characteristics of a refinery strain? What downstream processes are compatible with each other?
  • Group 6: High value products
    What are the most promising products? What diversity is still out there? Is a single product approach viable?

17:30 Steering group flash talks
First impressions from the group discussions and feedback from the Young Algaeneers

18:00 Posters I

18:30 Close of the day and break

19:30 Informal get-together on Wonder – login is sent to all Young Algaeneers participating.

 
Day 2 For Young Algaeneers only

13:00 Opening

13:10 How to get a good growth rate (µ) in your algae professional career – Claudio Fuentes-Grünewald, Research Officer, Swansea University

13:40 Posters II

14:30 Informal steering group discussions/preparation of presentations
Continuation of discussion from the previous day and preparation of presentations

16:00 Close of the day

 
Day 3 (public) Open for registration for everyone!

13:00 Opening and brief introduction

  • Vitor Verdelho, EABA General Manager
  • A green generation with energy for the future – René Wijffels, Professor of Biotechnology, Wageningen University
  • Giving a voice to Young Algaeneers – David Russo, YAS 2021 Chair


13:30 Steering group presentations (provisional)
Young Algaeneers will present the conclusions of their discussions. After each presentation, time is reserved for questions and debate with the audience

  • Group 1: Algae bioenergy
    Following the boom and bust of biodiesel, is there life in algal biofuels?
  • Group 2: Novel foods from algae
    What products are currently available and what are the upcoming trends? How do we handle non-axenic algal food products?
  • Group 3: Synthetic Biology
    What are the best tools and strategies for algal engineering? How can we integrate GMOs in European legislation
  • Group 4: Algal communities
    The exploitation of algal communities has enormous potential. What is holding it back?
  • Group 5: Biorefinery Design
    What are the ideal characteristics of a refinery strain? What downstream processes are compatible with each other?

  • Group 6: High value products
    What are the most promising products? What diversity is still out there? Is a single product approach viable?

16:00 Break

16:15 YAS future perspectives

16:30 Open floor discussion
We want to hear from you. What are the biggest challenges the algal field is facing? How do you see the role of Young Algaeneers in tackling these challenges? Prepare for a lively debate between different generations of algaeneers!

17:30 Close of event

 
Posters
We are now accepting abstracts for a virtual poster presentation during YAS 2021. Abstracts should be a single paragraph of text with no more than 250 words. Posters should consist of 3-4 powerpoint slides to be presented in an informal environment during the social event. Abstracts will be made available to all participants in the conference booklet. Deadline for abstract submission is the 30th of April.
You can download the template here and submit your abstract by emailing it to info@algaeworkshops.org and davidarusso@gmail.com
 
More information:
  • The symposium organization is developed by Young Algaeneers with the support of EABA and Building on Events.
  • Times are displayed in Central European Time (CET).
  • The symposium will use the Zoom platform provided by EurA (EABA Member).
 

Fees:

  • Non-Young Algaeneers and Non-EABA Members can participate in the Symposium on May 12.  The fee is € 125 (one day programme, May 12)
  • EABA members can participate in the Symposium on May 12. The fee is € 95 (one day programme, May 12)
  • Young Algaeneers; your fee is € 95 (three day programme, May 10-12)
 

50% increase for tickets booked within the last 10 days.

No VAT is charged. Payment per credit card or Ideal. Invoice provided.

When you need an invoice to make a bank transfer, fill out all details in the registration form and send a mail to info@algaeworkshops.org. The invoice can be prepared by the organisers. Please note: all payments have to be made before the start of the webinar.

Click on the button below to register. You’ll be redirected to the registration page https://www.aanmelder.nl/124208/subscribe. This page will open in a new window.

David Russo, Postdoctoral Researcher at Friedrich Schiller University Jena.

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