Environmental and land-use changes, aging human populations, and the increasing prevalence of infectious diseases of plants, animals, and people, highlighted a need in the dedicated event. This conference, hosted by Nord University and NTNU, explores how soft materials and the One Health approach can drive sustainable solutions across human, animal, and environmental health.
This conference, hosted by Nord University and NTNU, explores how soft materials and the One Health approach can drive sustainable solutions across human, animal, and environmental health. Join us to discover how science, innovation, and sustainable strategies are shaping the future of healthcare and material sciences in a rapidly changing world.
Key themes
- One Health Integration: Uniting human, animal, and environmental health through interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Sustainable Soft Matter Engineering: Designing eco-friendly materials for diagnostics, drug delivery, and medical applications.
- Digital Health and Biosensing: Leveraging smart materials and digital platforms for responsive and remote healthcare.
- Circular Bioeconomy in Healthcare: Embedding sustainability and circular economic principles in biomedical innovation.
- Nordic and Global Collaboration: Strengthening partnerships across Nordic countries and international institutions for research and education.
Goals of the event
- Foster interdisciplinary collaboration across One Health and soft matter engineering fields.
- Advance sustainable innovation in healthcare materials and technologies.
- Empower early-career researchers through active participation and education.
- Build long-term partnerships among academia, industry, and public stakeholders.
- Position Nordic regions as leaders in One Health and soft matter research.
Programme
Thursday, 21st August
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| Morning | Platform presentations invited speakers |
| 10:00 - 10:20 10:20 - 10:30 | Coffee & Small breakfast (Location: P111) Short Introduction & Welcome to the conference |
| Human Health | |
| 10:30 - 11:00 11:00 - 11:30 11:30 - 11:45 11:45 - 12:15 | Keynote speaker, Prof. Dr. Per Engstrand, Mid Sweden University “Environmentally friendly and resource-efficient menstrual products: A holistic approach to sustainability and health” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anna Trubetskaya, Nord University “Sustainable hydrogels in ophthalmology” Dr. Gerrit Surup, ELKEM “Hybrid Cellulose–Silica Nanomaterials for Biomedical Imaging” Jan Schäffer, HOUM AS “A Universal Testing Platform for characterization of Hydrogels” |
| Lunch | Lunch at Innocamp Cafeteria Steinkjer |
| 12:15 - 13:15 | Warm lunch |
| 13:15 - 13:35 13:35 - 14:00 14:00 - 14:20 | Jon Olav Sliper, Trøndelag county authority “More Elderly – Fewer Young People. Societal Implications of the Aging Wave” Daniel Garcia, Eli Lilly and Company “Driving Engagement Through Digital Continuous Improvement in Biopharma” Assist. Prof. Dr. Valentina Guccini, Uppsala University ”Turning Nanocellulose’s Water Affinity into an Asset for Sustainable Applications” |
| Afternoon | Bus / Excursion in North Trondheim |
| 14:30 - 19:00 | Visit of PHARMAQ in Overhalla (Bus will be provided, only for conference registered guests) OR Coffee & Cake for those who are not participating in the PHARMAQ visit |
| Evening | Dinner at Quality Hotel Grand |
| 19:15 - 21:00 | Conference dinner |
Friday, 22nd August
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| Morning | Platform presentations invited speakers |
| 8:30 - 9:00 | Coffee & Small breakfast (Location: P111) |
| Health in Aquaculture | |
| 9:00 - 9:30 9:30 - 9:50 9:50 - 10:10 10:10 - 10:30 10:30 - 10:50 | Keynote speaker, Dr. Kari Thyholt, NCE AquaTech cluster “Designing for Salmon: Where Biology Meets Technology” Prof. Dr. Kristofer Gunar Paso, NTNU “Upcycling Waste Fishing Nets into High-Performance Bio-Based Composites: Mechanical and SEM Characterization” Dr. Liudmila Ilyukhina, Naukatek AS “From Pandemic Masks to Aquaculture Membranes: The Naukatek Journey in One Health Innovation” Prof. Dr. Hetron M. Munang'andu, Nord University “Combating ampicillin resistance of Group B Streptococcus agalactiae using a metabolomics approach” Surya Prasad Dahal, Nord University “Enhanced Horizontal Transfer of Antimicrobial Resistance from Typical and Atypical Aeromonas salmonicida to Escherichia coli: A Comparative Conjugation Study” |
| Lunch | Lunch at Innocamp Cafeteria Steinkjer |
| 10:50 - 11:45 | Warm lunch |
| Afternoon | Health in Agriculture |
| Keynote speaker, Dr. Francisco J. Rodríguez-Mejías, University of Cádiz “Allelopathy for a Greener Agriculture: From Natural Phenomena to Field Applications of Benzoxazinoid-Based Bioherbicides” Ingrid Gauslaa Hårstad, Grønt Kompetansesenter Mære-Skjetlein “Soil and Human Health are Connected” Leticia Melcunas da Rosa, UNICAMP “Development of gels for the encapsulation and slow release of biofertilizers in agriculture” Prof. Dr. Rakel Blaalid, Nord University ”Ecoloop for soils – using steam technology to remediate large bulk masses of bio-contaminated masses” Keynote speaker, Rune Hedegart, Woodworks Cluster ”Benefits from cooperating in a cluster, and a brief introduction to Norwegian forestry” Prof. Dr. Ari Hietala, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy ”How secondary metabolites protect conifers: lessons from Norway spruce and Heterobasidion parviporum” Dr. Emiru Birhane, Nord University ”Arbuscular mycorrhizal Fungi as a biotechnological tool to improve soil-plant health in drylands” | |
| Travel home |
Practical information
The event will be held at InnoCamp, Steinkjer, Nord University, Skolegata 22, 7713 Steinkjer
Registration costs
Regular: 350 kr, student: 150 kr
The registration includes lunches, coffee breaks, and excursion.
We are pleased to offer a complimentary dinner for all speaking guests as part of our hospitality. All other participants are warmly invited to join the dinner as well. The cost is 595 NOK per person, which includes a two-course menu and coffee. Beverages are for the own purchase.
Hotel in Steinkjer
- Quality Hotel™ Grand, Steinkjer (Breakfast is always included)
- Studentinord Figga in Steinkjer (approximately 1.5 km walking distance) https://www.studentinord.no/short-term-rent-stjordal
- Thon Hotel Verdal (Breakfast is always included; 32 km by train or taxi from Steinkjer)
The organizers will support the hotel booking for the group of participants.
Transportation from the airport
Steinkjer is easily accessible from Trondheim Airport (TRD – Værnes). The most convenient option is a direct train operated by SJ Nord, with departures approximately every hour. The journey takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Students can enjoy 50% discount (with the student ID or ISIC card for students outside of EU & Norway).
Alternatively, car rentals and Trøndelag taxi (We don’t use Uber platform) are available at the airport, with a drive time of around 1 hour and 10 minutes via the E6 highway.
The arrival from Gardermoen Oslo Airport (OSL) is the least convenient option with the train operated by SJ Nord. The journey takes about 14 hours. The tickets must be purchased in advance.
Submit abstract
Deadline: July 30
Submit abstract on nettskjema.no
Register for the conference
Deadline: August 10
