UMCG Cohort Symposium 2025 'Building the Foundations of Research'

News
On Thursday, 17 April 2025, from 13:00 to 17:45, the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) hosts the Cohort Symposium "Building the Foundations of Research."
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This year, we focus on the organization of cohorts and bio- and databank collections. For this reason, registration is initially open for participants associated with a UMCG cohort (principal investigators, researchers, PhD, staff members).

From 10 March, registration is open to all UMCG employees. Please note: the symposium has a maximum capacity of 100 participants. Registrations are filling up quickly, so make sure to register in time. 

Register now

Details

Date: Thursday, 17th April 2025

Time: 13:30 - 17:45

Location: Rode zaal and Onderwijscentrum UMCG 

Programme and registration

The symposium will take place in the Rode Zaal and Onderwijscentrum (UMCG) and will begin with a keynote speech by Dr. Marije Brouwer.

Marije Brouwer is a researcher and bioethicist, whose work focuses on the ethical dimensions of medical practice and research. In her keynote presentation, she will explore the ethical challenges and opportunities presented by biobank and cohort research. Together with the audience, Marije will delve into key topics such as informed consent, the impact of participation on individuals, and the complexities of data-sharing in research.

Following the keynote, there will be two rounds of breakout sessions. An overview of the programme, including the timetable, can be found here.

An overview of the sessions in brief: 

Breakout sessions round 1 | From 14:30 - 15:15

 

  • Panel discussion: Implementing strategies to include and retain cohort participants over time 
  • Data harmonisation: The Why and How of harmonizing data across cohorts
  • Financial sustainability: Strategies to keep your cohort alive

Breakout sessions round 2 | From 15:45 - 16:30

  • Synthethic data: Explore artificially generated datasets that mimic real cohort and biobank data 
  • Sample quality: How to ensure high-quality biological samples in your biobank? 
  • UMCG cohort data infrastructure: Current state, gaps and future developments 


Cohort pitches  

In the final half-hour of the symposium, there will be an opportunity for 3-min pitches in the Rode zaal, during which cohorts can share with the other participants a success story or valuable insight they've gained, as well as what other UMCG cohorts can learn from their experience.