Following the feedback from last year’s Annual Meeting, we are excited to announce that this year’s edition will focus on the critical topic microplastics where leading experts will dive deeper into this rapidly evolving field. The theme of the meeting is:
« Unmasking Microplastics: Impacts, Challenges and Implications for (Eco)Toxicology »
We are delighted to be co-organising this year’s edition for the second time with the BelTox at Sciensano premises in Brussels.
During this event, you will receive an introduction and general concepts of to the field of microplastics, you will gain insights into cutting-edge detection methodologies, including Pyr-GC/MS coupled with sp-ICP/MS and various microscopy techniques, and together we will explore the presence and impact of microplastics in (agricultural) soil.
Furthermore, we will discuss the interdisciplinary advancements in ecotoxicology, analytics, and human health related to microplastics. We will also address toxicity through in vivo and alternative models, as well as the significant challenges microplastics pose for risk assessment, specifically concerning data quality and health effects.
The day will conclude with discussions on mitigation measures, insights into EU-funded research, and an awards ceremony before the meeting’s closure.
Similar to previous editions, a dedicated Young Scientists Competition will provide a platform for young researchers to present their work, and you will have plenty of networking opportunities during the coffee breaks and poster sessions.
Program Annual meeting 2025 (subject to change):
https://beltox.be/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/draft-program-AM2025.pdf
Young Scientist Competition (YSC) for MSc/PhD Students
The Annual Meeting includes a dedicated Oral Presentation and Poster Session that will specifically focus on the research of early career scientists in diverse fields of toxicology and ecotoxicology. Please note that topics should not necessarily be linked to the general theme of the meeting, ALL submissions from the broader field of toxicology and ecotoxicology are more than welcome!
If you would like to participate and compete for the best Oral Presentation and/or best Poster, please submit an abstract for a poster and/or oral presentation by O30.10. 2025 via the link provided below.
A jury of BelTox-BEMS scientists will select abstracts for four pitch presentations (10’ plus 5’ of questions), and the other abstracts will be retained for poster presentations.
On the day of the Annual Meeting, the oral presentations and posters will be evaluated by a jury composed of members of the BelTox-BEMS Steering Committees and invited speakers. The best two Oral Presentations and the best two Posters will receive a prize (€ 200 for the best, and €100 for the second-best presentation/poster).
Poster Session open to all Participants
Also if you are not a ‘Young Scientist’ or PhD student, you can submit an abstract to present your work during the Poster Session at the Annual Meeting. Topics should not necessarily be linked to the general theme of the meeting, you can submit any abstract linked to the field of toxicology or ecotoxicology. The submission process is the same as for the YSC (see link below).
Guidelines for writing the abstract
Keep abbreviations and acronyms to a minimum and fully define at first reference
Do not include citations, tables or figures
The body of the abstract should not exceed 2500 characters (including spaces)
Keep the title to a maximum of 200 characters (including spaces)
NOTE: By submitting your abstract, you permit BelTox-BEMS to publish it in the book of abstracts that will be made available to all participants. The slides of the 4 selected oral presentations will also be published on the BelTox website for the BelTox members only.
Important deadlines
01.06.2025: Registration and abstract submission open
31.10.2025: Deadline for abstract submission
15.11.2025: Information on selection of abstracts for oral presentation
04.12.2025: BelTox-BEMS annual meeting, Sciensano, Brussel
Submit your abstract here:
https://forms.gle/PG1MG2wpAxbyorXz9
Fees
Non-BelTox member = 230 €
PhD & MSc student = 50 €
BEMS member = 105 €