Following the success of the VHIO Talks 2025 series, which was very well received by the public, VHIO has decided to launch the next edition of the talks in 2026, featuring a more dynamic and participatory format.
In 2026, the talks will adopt a more engaging and approachable focus. This will strengthen the role of patients as the central figures and protagonists of these outreach events.
The aim is to encourage a more direct dialogue between researchers, healthcare professionals and patients, enriching scientific discussion through their experiences and perspectives.
The upcoming VHIO Talks series will begin next February. This programme of lectures is aimed at professionals, patients and members of the public interested in gaining first-hand insight into the most relevant advances in cancer research and treatment. This year, the sessions will be moderated by science communicator and broadcaster Lluís Quevedo.
Across five sessions scheduled throughout 2026, VHIO experts will address some of the most innovative and promising areas in oncology. These areas range from precision medicine to new cell-based therapies.
The first session, “Advancing precision oncology: from genomic alterations to large-scale chromosomal reconfigurations”, will take place on 11 February. The series begins with an overview of how advances in molecular analysis are transforming tumour diagnosis and treatment.
Speakers at VHIO Talks 1 will be:
- ELENA ÉLEZ, medical oncologist at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital and Head of the Gastrointestinal Tumours Group
- FRANCISCO BARRIGA, Head of the Cancer Genomic Engineering Group at VHIO
- PATIENT
The programme will continue on 28 April 2026 with “Innovation in Action: Phase I Clinical Trials and Their Impact on Patients”, a session focused on how early-phase clinical trials help bring the most innovative treatments closer to patients.
Speakers at VHIO Talks 2 will be:
- ELENA GARRALDA, Director of the Molecular Cancer Therapy Research Unit (UITM) – CaixaResearch and Head of the Early Clinical Drug Development Group at VHIO
- LAURA BASCUÑANA, Clinical Research Nursing Supervisor at VHIO
- PATIENT
The third talk will be held on 16 June 2026: “The liquid biopsy revolution: the future of cancer in a drop of blood”, explored the enormous potential of these minimally invasive techniques to detect, monitor and better understand tumour evolution.
Speakers at VHIO Talks 3 will be:
- ANA VIVANCOS, Head of the Cancer Genomics Group at VHIO
- JOAQUIN MATEO, medical oncologist and Head of the Prostate Cancer Research Group at VHIO
- PATIENT
After the summer break, the series will resume on 22 September 2026 with “Researching to Prevent: the First Step Against Cancer”, a session devoted to research aimed at reducing the risk of developing the disease and understanding its determining factors.
Speakers at VHIO Talks 4 will be:
- MARCOS MALUMBRES, Head of the Cell Cycle and Cancer Group and Director of the Systems Oncology Programme at VHIO
- JOSE ANTONIO SEOANE, Head of the Cancer Computational Biology Group at VHIO
Finally, the series will conclude on 10 November 2026 with “Cell therapies in solid tumours: opening the frontiers in immunotherapy”, presenting the latest advances in engineered cells to fight cancer.
Speakers at VHIO Talks 5 will be:
- ALENA GROS, Head of the Immunotherapy and Tumour Immunology Group at VHIO
- JOAQUIN ARRIBAS, Head of the Growth Factors Group at VHIO and ICREA Professor
- SILVIA MARTIN LLUESMA, Head of Regulatory Strategy for the Advanced Therapies Programme at VHIO
View the full series programme here.
With this upcoming cycle, VHIO reaffirms its commitment to scientific outreach and to creating spaces that bring research closer to society. This is thanks to the collaboration with Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera.
We look forward to seeing you there!
