On November 7, 2024, the biomedical imaging community gathered at the Rolex Learning Center, at EPFL, for the CIBM Annual Symposium 2024, a special event as it marked CIBM’s 20th Anniversary. The symposium offered a full day of dynamic discussions, groundbreaking presentations, and interactive sessions, celebrating two decades of excellence and innovation in biomedical imaging. With a high attendance of over 250 participants, the event showcased the strong interest and engagement within the scientific and medical community, highlighting the pivotal role of CIBM in advancing the field.
The event began with a Welcome Breakfast and Poster session, setting a collaborative and engaging tone right from the start. Attendees, including researchers, students, and professionals from various institutions, had the chance to connect over coffee, while exploring the posters that showcased the latest research in fields ranging from diffusion MRI to computational psychiatry. This early networking session buzzed with conversations and set the stage for the day’s inspiring agenda.
Opening and Unveiling of the CIBM TESSERACT Initiative
Following the Opening remarks from Pina Marziliano, CIBM’s Executive Director, and Frédéric Herman, Rector of UNIL and CIBM Council member, one of the day’s highlights was the Unveiling of the CIBM TESSERACT Initiative. This ambitious project aims to revolutionise our understanding of curiosity, creativity, and cooperation in schoolchildren. The initiative, involving over 25 CIBM scientists, leverages advanced biomedical imaging to explore these essential human traits, with Dr. Solange Denervaud coordinating efforts across CIBM’s founding partner institutions. The CIBM TESSERACT Initiative represents a bold step forward for CIBM, setting the stage for impactful research that bridges science, education, and societal benefit.
Impressive Lineup of Speakers and Sessions
The symposium officially kicked off with renowned experts taking the stage throughout the day, covering a wide array of topics.
The morning keynote speaker Peter Bandettini from the National Institutes of Mental Health began with his talk, Towards Increased Precision, Interpretability, and Impact: The Future of fMRI. His presentation highlighted the evolution of fMRI technology and its impact on neuroscience, from ultra-high resolution imaging to insights into brain activity patterns.
Followed by two members of the CIBM Scientific Steering Committee, Head of the CIBM Signal Processing CHUV EPFL Section Jean-Philippe Thiran who gave with an in-depth look at Computational Diffusion MRI for Microstructure Imaging, highlighting advancements in MRI technology for tissue analysis with applications in both brain imaging and oncology.. and the newly appointed Head of the CIBM Data Science CHUV-HUG Section Jonas Richiardi presented his work on Treatment Planning and Disease Subtyping with Imaging for Precision Medicine, shedding light on how imaging and deep learning can improve patient outcomes in stroke care and heart failure treatment.
The afternoon session started with Klaas Enno Stephan from ETH Zurich, who discussed Translational Neuromodeling, Computational Psychiatry, exploring computational models for mental health disorders, followed by CIBM alumni Özlem Ipek from King’s College London, who discussed Exploring Parallel-Transmit (pTx) MRI Applications with Multi-nuclei RF Coil Design, Multi-modal Imaging and RF Safety for Implanted Electrodes, a cutting-edge approach in MRI that enhances image quality and safety, particularly for patients with implants. CIBM Affiliate member and long time collaborator Carmen Sandi from EPFL presented Neurometabolic Links Between Anxiety and Motivation and finally ending the scientific part of the day, the newly appointed Head of the CIBM EEG HUG-UNIGE Section Serge Vulliémoz who showcased innovations in EEG-based brain mapping in Brain Networks and Multimodality: Building on 100 Years of EEG..
Reflecting on 20 Years of Excellence
As part of the 20th Anniversary celebration, Giorgio Margaritondo, Honorary Professor at EPFL presented Birth of CIBM: Secrets, Miracles, and Heroes, recounting the journey of CIBM from its inception to its current standing as a leader in biomedical imaging. His narrative was both nostalgic and inspiring, paying tribute to the visionaries, scientists, and collaborators who have contributed to CIBM’s growth and impact over the years.
The symposium concluded with a lively Panel Session on the Evolution and Future of CIBM, featuring influential figures like Denis Le Bihan (Neurospin CEA), Reto Meuli (CHUV-UNIL), Andreas Mortensen (EPFL), and Jean-Paul Vallée (HUG-UNIGE). The panellists discussed emerging trends, challenges, and the strategic direction for CIBM as it enters its next phase of innovation and collaboration.
The discussion underscored the importance of fostering interdisciplinary collaboration—a defining hallmark of CIBM. Panellists reflected on the evolution of partnerships across the founding institutions, emphasising the necessity of breaking down silos between institutions and academic disciplines. The initial hurdles of collaboration have given way to a strong and effective network that integrates diverse expertise in imaging, engineering, and medicine. One of the conclusions was that the CIBM’s ability to remain at the forefront should involve even deeper integration of neuroscience, engineering, and clinical applications. Looking to the future, the panellists identified several key priorities for CIBM: the need to invest in the next generation of scientists, advocating for early engagement with students to inspire careers in biomedical imaging and related fields.
A Heartfelt Thank You to All
As the event drew to a close, the CIBM team extended heartfelt thanks to all speakers, attendees, and partners who contributed to the success of the symposium. The gathering was not only a celebration of past achievements but also a look towards the future, as CIBM continues its commitment to pushing the boundaries of biomedical imaging and healthcare technology.
The CIBM Annual Symposium 2024 was made possible thanks to the invaluable support of our sponsors: Nestlé HealthScience, Siemens Healthineers, and Bruker. These organisations are more than just sponsors; they are long-standing partners who have been instrumental in CIBM’s journey, sharing our vision for innovation and excellence in biomedical imaging. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for their continued collaboration and commitment to advancing science and healthcare.
We would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the EPFL Mediacom Events Team and the EPFL Repro Team for their outstanding efforts in ensuring the seamless organization and execution of this milestone event. Thank you for your dedication and collaboration!
With a strong sense of community, innovation, and shared purpose, the CIBM Annual Symposium 2024 truly embodied the spirit of CIBM’s mission — advancing science for the benefit of society. Here’s to the next 20 years of discovery and excellence!
Sponsors
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