We are honored to feature a distinguished panel of invited speakers for EHRC 2026. These renowned international and national experts and researchers will share their latest findings, bringing diverse perspectives to our discussions on organ-to-organ interactions, women's health, vascular biology, and epidemiological insights feeding experimental research. Their expertise is central to our mission of fostering innovation and collaboration within the research community.

Arno Villringer
Director - Department of Neurology at Max Planck Institute for human cognitive and brain sciences
Director - Clinic for Cognitive Neurolgy
Spokesperson: Max Planck School of Cognition
Spokesperson: Berlin School of Mind and Brain
Deputy Chairperson - Human Sciences Section of the Max Planck Society
His research on brain-body interaction explores the dynamic relationship between the brain and cardiovascular system. He investigates how factors such as blood flow, blood pressure, heart rate, and systemic health influence brain function, as well as how brain activity can, in turn, regulate these bodily systems. His work delves into the mechanisms by which disruptions in this interaction, such as impaired cerebral blood flow or autonomic dysfunction, contribute to neurological conditions like stroke, cognitive decline, and neurodegenerative diseases. By integrating advanced neuroimaging techniques with physiological monitoring, Villringer aims to uncover how maintaining a healthy brain-body connection can support overall brain health and recovery from neurological disorders. 
Karin Roelofs

Professor - Behavioural Science Institute
Principal Investigator - Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging
Principal Investigator - Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour
Professor - Clinical Psychology

Her research focuses on the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying stress-resilience and vulnerability. Together with her group, she employs a range of neuroimaging techniques (fMRI, MEG), combined with neuromodulation (e.g., transcranial ultrasound stimulation) or pharmacological interventions, to study emotional control and decision-making processes. Important research questions are, e.g., what is the role of autonomic balance on decision making under threat? 
Anne Cathrine Staff

Professor - University of Oslo
Head of research - Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Oslo University Hospital

Anne's research focuses on pregnancy complications, particularly preeclampsia and diabetes, and their links to maternal cardiovascular disease. Her research explores the role of fetal microchimerism, placental dysfunction and pregnancy biomarkers in influencing health trajectories for both mothers and offspring. 
Mona Nystad

Associate Professor - UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Head of laboratory and research - In vitro Fertilization laboratory at the Women's Clinic at the University Hospital of Northern Norway

Mona is at the forefront of addressing the global rise in infertility, which now affects 17% of couples. In collaboration between the Nanoscopy group at the NT faculty at UiT and the IVF-clinic at UNN, an innovative solution called Spermotile has been developed. This groundbreaking method combines artificial intelligence and advanced microscopy to automate and enhance the selection of healthy sperm. The goal is to improve fertility outcomes, reduce the number of cycles required for successful pregnancies, and alleviate the psychological and financial burdens on patients. 
Hege Lynum Pedersen
Professor at UiT The Arctic University of Norway

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is nine times more common in women than in men, primarily affecting younger and middle-aged women. Hege’s research focuses on developing new therapeutic tools and biomarkers for SLE by studying the expression and regulation of DNase I and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which are abnormally expressed in the disease.