The 7th International EPNOE Junior Scientist Meeting
The 7th International EPNOE Junior Scientist Meeting (EPNOEJunior2026) will take place from 16–18 September 2026 in Málaga, Spain.
EPNOEJunior2026 brings together early-career researchers working on polysaccharides.
The meeting is co-organized by EPNOE, IHSM La Mayora (CSIC-UMA), IATA (CSIC) and BioEcoUVA (UVa).
IMPORTANT DATES:
Submission of abstracts:
01 March – 15 April, 2026
Notification of acceptance:
31 May, 2026
Early bird registration and presenters’ registration deadline: 30 June, 2026
Final registration deadline:
15 August, 2026
ABSTRACT SUBMISSION
The 7th International EPNOE Junior Scientist Meeting 2026 committee welcomes the submission of high-quality abstracts covering the following themes:
- Materials & Engineering
- Food & Nutrition
- Biomedical & Well-being Applications
- Chemistry, Biology & Physics
GUIDELINES
To complete your abstract submission for EPNOEJunior2026, please follow both steps below:
- Complete the online abstract submission form (official submission form).
- Download and complete the Microsoft Word abstract template, then email the Word file to happy.urbiztondo@kuleuven.be
Submissions will be considered only if both the form submission and the template email are received.
Email instructions (required)
Attachments: You may include graphics and images in your abstract file, provided they are placed within the template and remain readable in print format.
File format: Microsoft Word (.docx)
Email subject line (use exactly):
EPNOEJunior2026 Abstract – [Presenter Last Name], [First Name] – [Short Title/Keyword]
(Example: EPNOEJunior2026 Abstract – Garcia, Elena – Cellulose Hydrogels)
Please ensure the presenting author name and abstract title in your email match the information submitted in the online form.
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
Presentations must be in English and prepared using PowerPoint with an aspect ratio of 16:9. Please remember to put your presentation on the latest break before your session onto the laptop in the lecture room.
- Plenary Lecture: 40 minutes (35 + 15)
- Keynote Lecture: 25 minutes (20 + 5)
- Oral Presentations: 15 minutes (12+3)
POSTERS
Posters must be in English, in vertical orientation, and in DIN A0 size (841 x 1189 mm). Magnets will be available at the conference.
PRICING AND REGISTRATION
| Registration Category | Early Bird Fees (until 30 June) | Regular Fees (from 01 July) |
| EPNOE Member | 300€ without VAT | 350€ without VAT |
| Non-EPNOE Member | 350€ without VAT | 400 € without VAT |
| Accompanying person at the conference dinner | 90€ without VAT | 90€ without VAT |
Registration fees include attendance at all sessions, an electronic book of abstracts, coffee breaks, lunches, and the conference dinner.
Please note that registration will be valid only after payment of the registration fee.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellation is possible until 30 June 2026, with a refund provided for the fees paid upon cancellation. Refunds cannot be processed for cancellations received after this date. All cancellation requests must be submitted to happy.urbiztondo@kulueven.be
Please note: Abstract submission and registration are managed separately. All presenters must complete the registration form to confirm their participation.
The Organizers
Event Committee
Dr. Vitor Amorim-Silva, IHSM La Mayora (Spain), https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3978-7205
Dr. Ana Kramar, IATA (Spain), https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4208-943X
Dr. Joice Kaschuk, Wageningen University (the Netherlands), https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0691-8467
Dr. Guadalupe Vaca-Medina, INRAE (France), https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2652-2520
Dr. Jovan Duran Alonso, Sao Paulo State University (Brazil), https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6867-2637
Dr. Amparo Jimenez-Quero, Chalmers University of Technology (Sweden), https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2309-6100
Dr. Bruno Mattos, Aalto University (Finland), https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4447-8677
Dr. Susana Guzmán Puyol, Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterranea La Mayora (IHSM, CSIC-UMA) (Spain)
Dr. Antonio Martinez-Abad, Instituto de Agroquimica y Tecnologia de Alimentos (Spain)
Dr. Ana Quilez Molina, BioEcoUVa Instituto de Bioeconomia, Universidad de Valladolid (Spain)
Dr. Jose Alejandro Heredia Guerrero, Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterranea La Mayora (IHSM, CSIC-UMA) (Spain)
VENUE & ACCOMODATION
The 7th International EPNOE Junior Scientist Meeting 2026 will be held at the Institute for Mediterranean and Subtropical Horticulture La Mayora, IHSM La Mayora, Malaga (Spain).
Located on Spain’s sun-drenched southern coast, Malaga is a vibrant Mediterranean city that blends rich history with modern charm. Here are some reasons to visit Malaga:
- Prime Location: Situated on Spain’s southern coast, Malaga is the gateway to the famous Costa del Sol.
- Rich History: With over 3.000 years of history, the city features landmarks such as the Alcazaba fortress, Gibralfaro Castle, and a well-preserved Roman Theatre.
- Art & Culture: Malaga is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso and home to numerous museums, including the Picasso Museum and Centre Pompidou Malaga.
- Charming City Life: The historic center offers lively plazas, narrow streets lined with tapas bars, and a mix of traditional and modern architecture.
- Modern Coastline: Enjoy the contemporary port promenade (Muelle Uno), with seaside restaurants and boutiques.
- Perfect Climate: With over 300 days of sunshine per year, Malaga is an ideal destination in any season.
- Beautiful Beaches: Relax at La Malagueta beach or explore other scenic spots along the coastline.
- Culinary Delights: taste the Andalusian cuisine. Don’t miss local specialties such as tortilla de patatas, espetos or camperos.
- More information about Malaga can be found here.
Venue
Please note that IHSM La Mayora has two locations. The conference will take place at IHSM Teatinos (Bulevar Louis Pasteur 49, 29010, Malaga). To reach the Institute, we recommend taking the L1 subway line and getting off at the final station (Andalucía Tech).
| ARRIVAL BY AIRPLANE | Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) is the main international gateway to the city, located just 8 kilometers from the city center. It offers a wide range of direct flights from most major European cities as well as several intercontinental destinations. From the airport, travelers can easily reach the city center by suburban train (line C1), which takes approximately 12 minutes, by airport express bus (Line A), or by taxi and ride-hailing services. |
| ARRIVAL BY TRAIN | Malaga Maria Zambrano Station is the city’s main railway hub, conveniently located near the center. The station is served by high-speed AVE trains, providing fast and comfortable connections from major cities such as Madrid (around 2.5 hours), Barcelona (approximately 5.5 hours), Seville, and Cordoba (about 1 hour). Regional and local trains also link Malaga with nearby towns and coastal destinations. |
| ARRIVAL BY BUS | The main bus station in Malaga is next to the Maria Zambrano train station, offering regular national and international routes. Major cities like Madrid, Granada, Seville, and Almeria are directly connected to Malaga by long-distance buses operated primarily by ALSA. There are also international services from neighboring countries, including Portugal and France. |
| ARRIVAL BY CAR | Malaga is easily accessible by road. The A-7 (Mediterranean Highway) runs along the coast and connects the city with other major destinations in Andalusia, while the A-45 provides a direct inland route to Cordoba. Drivers will find ample parking options throughout the city, and car rental services are readily available at the airport and train station. |
CONFERENCE DINNER
The conference dinner will take place at Kaleido. Situated at Palmeral de las Sorpresas in Muelle Uno, the restaurant is just a short walk from the historic center, the Cathedral, and the main shopping streets. It is easily accessible by foot from most downtown hotels. For those arriving from other parts of the city, Kaleido is well connected by public transportation and is approximately a 20-minute walk from both the Maria Zambrano train station and the main bus terminal. Taxis and ride-hailing services are also readily available throughout the city.
CONFERENCE ACCOMMODATION
Malaga is a very popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world. The city offers a wide range of accommodation options for every budget. Visitors can choose from luxury hotels, cozy boutique stays, well-known hotel chains, and a large number of tourist apartments. We recommend to stay in the city center. Below are some examples of accommodation options to help you plan your stay:
| Soho Boutique Equitativa (4 stars) |
| Barcelo Malaga (4 stars) |
| Hotel don Paco (3 stars) |
| Hotel Castilla Guerrero (3 stars) |
| Hotel Ibis Malaga Centro Ciudad (2 stars) |
| Hotel Sur Malaga (2 stars) |