WiDS Belgium 2026 · Panel Event
Academia vs Industry
Same goals, different game?
Join Women in Data Science Belgium for an inspiring afternoon exploring what happens when data science moves between academic research and industry.
Hear from keynote speakers and leaders from academia and industry as they share their career journeys, perspectives and experiences. Together, we’ll explore the different paths from research to real-world impact — and what both worlds can learn from each other.
Full program and registration details will be published soon. Stay tuned!
Speakers
Welcome WORD and Moderators
Keynotes
Translational Bioinformatics
& AI Valorisation Lead
VIB
Liesbeth works at the intersection of translational research, AI, and computational biology, transforming complex biological data into therapeutic and diagnostic insights that bridge cutting-edge research and real-world healthcare applications. With a background in bioengineering and a PhD in computational biology, she is passionate about connecting experimental scientists and AI experts to drive innovation in biotech and healthcare.
High-Tech Industry Leader
& Healthcare Board Member
Klara bridges scientific expertise, operational leadership, and organizational transformation, driving sustainable growth in complex high-tech environments. With over two decades of experience in manufacturing and innovation, she leverages data, digitalization, and people-centric leadership to build resilient organizations and deliver operational excellence at scale. Board Member
PANELISTS
With a PhD and a strong background spanning engineering, data science, and translational research, Maria is helping shape the future of data-driven drug development through her work at Johnson & Johnson. Her expertise in digital transformation, intelligent automation, and patient safety will add a valuable industry perspective to our panel discussion.
Associate professor (hoofddocent) Biomedical Data Sciences
University Hasselt
As Associate Professor at Hasselt University, founder of OHDSI Belgium, and host of The World of Liesbet Podcast, Liesbet brings a unique perspective on the intersection of academia, healthcare, and data science. Her expertise in responsible health data use, AI governance, and trusted data ecosystems will enrich our discussion on the opportunities and challenges of bridging academia and industry.
Project Lead at Televic Conference
As Project Lead at Televic Conference, Elien is driving the development of innovative communication solutions that connect people and ideas.
With product development as the common thread throughout her career, she has successfully brought multidisciplinary teams together to transform ideas into impactful products.
Her passion for collaboration, structured decision-making, and customer-centric innovation will bring valuable insights to our discussion on bridging academia and industry.
Program
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 16:30–xxxx | Welcome |
| 17:30-xxxx | Keynote1 |
| 17:30-xxxx | Keynote2 |
| 17:30-xxxx | panel.... |
Sponsors
Sponsors of Women in Data Science 2026
Join us in supporting our mission! Learn about the opportunities on our sponsorship page.
Partners
Venue
VIB-UGent
Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71
9052 Zwijnaarde