On 28–29 May 2026, the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague hosted the international workshop, 24th International Workshop for Young Scientists – BioPhys Spring 2026. This conference is held annually and is co-organized by the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, the Polish Institute of Agrophysics PAS in Lublin, the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and the Institut Teknologi Nasional in Bandung, Indonesia.
These institutions take turns hosting the event, and this year the responsibility was assumed by the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague. The conference took place in the university auditorium, and its prestige further enhanced the auspices of the Minister of Agriculture Martin Šebestyán, and the CZU Rector Michal Lošťák, who personally attended the opening and delivered a speech.
This conference is unique in its own way. It focuses primarily on doctoral students and young early-career scientists. Although the opening plenary session usually features several invited lectures by established scientists, most often the leaders of delegations from the co-organizing universities, the main program then gives the floor to young researchers, with the delegation leaders chairing the individual sessions. For most participants, it is their first opportunity to present their own scientific results, gain experience, and establish contacts with colleagues from partner institutions, including those abroad. Our experience shows that in many cases, professional and personal contacts have been formed that last throughout entire careers. Such valuable cooperation also leads to prestigious publications that enhance universities´ positions in international rankings and scientific databases.
The BioPhys Spring conference was founded in 2002 by Professor Blahovec, and its first five editions took place in Prague. Since 2007, we have taken turns organizing the event with our partner institutions. The aim was to deepen cooperation in science and research among the co-organizing universities and to share experience with younger colleagues. Today, the conference is also attended by several partners from other organizations. This year marked the jubilee 25th edition, with 86 registered participants, 73 lectures, and five posters presented. In addition to the above-mentioned co-organizing institutions, colleagues from Germany, Greece, and Moldova also took part in the event. Over its 25-year history, the conference has welcomed many young scientists. Some of them, after completing their doctoral studies, remained at their faculties, advanced in their careers, and now supervise a new generation of doctoral students who participate in this conference.
The BioPhys Spring workshops have always been characterized by a friendly atmosphere and excellent organization. We have always been warmed by the feeling of a job well done and by the satisfaction of the participants. And whenever we saw the participants leaving content and satisfied, it was always a rewarding feeling for the entire organizing committee.
Further information, a photo gallery, the program, and the book of abstracts are available on the conference website: https://biophys.czu.cz.
Prof. Ing. Martin Libra, CSc., dr. h. c. Conference Chair