Participants collaborated on innovative projects during hands-on workshops, culminating in pitching presentations on the final day of the event. The winning team, led by Maurits Unkel from Erasmus University Medical Center, was recognized for the Neurava project, praised for its creativity and potential.
Neurava enables a deeper connection with oneself and others, allowing people to experience life more fully through a holistic approach to renewal and health. The project features an AI-assisted neuromorphic device—a “mind companion,” inspired by the avatar concept—designed to support personal development and well-being through innovative recreation.
Inspiring talks
The NeuroHack program was filled with expert-led sessions, including:
Judith Schweimer (Boehringer Ingelheim), who emphasized the value of collaboration in advancing preclinical science.
Anna Rajewska (ORCHIdea Foundation), who presented the patient perspective on technological innovation in neurology and neuropsychology.
Karolina Fila-Pawłowska (Wrocław University of Science and Technology), who discussed the impact of AI on the healthcare sector.
Steve Foster (Colorado State University), who inspired participants with his talk “How to Train Your Dragon, or Innovators.”
Ali Jawaid (Łukasiewicz – PORT), who closed the event with the lecture “A Trend to Brainality: A Physician-Scientist’s Quest for Truth and Romance with Innovation.”
Startup stories
Participants learned from startups such as CancerCenter.AI and The Cognity, which showcased the role of artificial intelligence in cancer diagnostics and psychology.
Skills development
International leadership and networking expert Sue Tonks led a workshop that equipped participants with tools to make an immediate impact on their audiences.
Networking and social events
Evening gatherings created space for networking, exchanging ideas, and building professional relationships.
Reflections from the project coordinator
“We had concerns about how this new NeuroHack format would work in practice, but more than a year of effort focused on selecting the right group leaders, building trust between them and the participants, and carefully choosing experts resulted in a truly inspiring event,” said Witold Konopka, SAME-NeuroID project coordinator.
Looking ahead
After NeuroHack 2024, participants left with new ideas, stronger professional relationships, and practical insights to apply in their work. The event highlighted the importance of collaboration and innovation in addressing challenges in neurobiology and neurology, paving the way for further progress at Łukasiewicz – PORT.
Sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of this workshop—our outstanding experts: Judith Schweimer, Steve Foster, Sue Tonks, Anna Rajewska, Karolina Fila-Pawłowska, Ali Jawaid, Paweł and Kate; SAME-NeuroID project partners: ICM, EMC, and Max Planck; as well as TTO experts Thom Joosten, Sebastian Meyer-Borcher, and Marie Micolon, who played a key role in the incubation process.
