WUR Symposium: One Virology, One Health, One Earth ​​​

and

Valedictorian speech of professor Wim van der Poel

February 6, 2026 | 9.30 - 17.00 h | Omnia, Wageningen

One Virology, One Health, One Earth

Over the past decades, the field of virology has evolved from studying viruses in isolated context - human, animal, or environmental - towards a more integrated understanding of viral dynamics across species and ecosystems. As new molecular tools have advanced our ability to trace virus evolution and cross-species transmission, it has become increasingly clear that virology cannot exist in silos.

The One Health concept emerged from this growing insight: the recognition that the health of people, animals, plants, and our environment are fundamentally interconnected. Today, this holistic perspective is more relevant than ever in addressing global challenges such as emerging infectious diseases, food security, biodiversity loss, and climate change.

The One Virology, One Health, One Earth symposium organised by the WUR chair group Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Wageningen Bioveterinary Research will highlight — a meeting place for virologists, veterinarians, medical professionals, ecologists, and policymakers who share a commitment to collaborative, cross-disciplinary science. Together, we will explore how integrated virology can contribute to a healthier, more resilient planet.

The symposium will be moderated by Dr. Joukje Siebenga. The symposium language will be English.

Program

9.30 h Doors open

10.00 h Welcome address

Professor Annemarie Rebel, director of Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (Netherlands)

10.05 h Professor Tony Fooks, Animal and Plant Health Agengy (United Kingdom)

10.30 h Professor Rosina Girones, University of Barcelona (Spain)

11.00 h Dr. Marina Meester, University of Utrecht (Netherlands)

11.15 h Coffee / Tea Break

11.45 h Dr. Hein Sprong, National Institute on Public Health and Environment (Netherlands)

12.15 h Professor Ana Maria de Roda Husman, National Institute on Public Health and Environment (Netherlands)

12.45 h Dr. Luca Bordes, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (Netherlands)

13.00 h Lunch Break

14.00 h Professor Quirine ten Bosch, Wageningen University & Research (Netherlands)

14.30 h Professor Frank van Langevelde, Wageningen University & Research (Netherlands)

15.00 h Dr. Kiki Streng, Wageningen University & Research (Netherlands)

15.15 h Coffee / Tea Break

16.00 h Valedictorian speech

Professor Wim van der Poel, Wageningen University & Research and Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (Netherlands)

16.45 h Farewell reception Professor Wim van der Poel

Location

Omnia

Wageningen University & Research Campus

Hoge Steeg 2

6708 PH Wageningen