Events

Upcoming events

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If you have events that you would like to be advertised here, please email the MCID Management Office (info.mcid@unibe.ch)

Workshop

Engaging in Policymaking as a Researcher

Monday 8th June 2026, 08.30-17.00; UniS, Schanzeneckstrasse 1, Bern

Vice-Rectorate International and Academic Careers

Organised by PD Dr. Caroline Schlaufer (EPL / KPM) and the Franxini Project, Reatch

See here for further information and to register

Webinar

Dr. Gerald Mboowa, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard

The next CoRE Genomics for Health in Africa webinar takes place on Monday 8th June 12.00 SAST / 12.00 CET with guest speaker Dr. Gerald Mboowa.

Register for the event here (open to all)

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Webinar

Prof. Dr Rokhaya Ndiaye, UCAD

The next CoRE Genomics for Health in Africa webinar takes place on Monday 13th July 12.00 SAST / 12.00 CET with guest speaker Prof. Dr Rokhaya Ndiaye.

Register for the event here (open to all)

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Past MCID events

2026

PhD defence: Isabel Schultz-Pernice

Dr. Isabel Schultz-Pernice celebrating the defence of her thesis
© MCID 2026

Brain Teasers: Deciphering the Riddles of Viral Neuropathologies Using Human Neural Organoids

Isabel Schultz-Pernice (Institute of Virology and Immunology) successfully defended her PhD thesis on Monday 18th May, 2026.

Seminar

Prof. Britta Lundström and Prof. Dr. Carmen Faso, pose with seminar speaker Prof. Michelle Power
© MCID 2026

One Health in action: The transmission of human-associated pathogens to urban adapted wildlife with Prof. Dr. Michelle Power

Exploring the wildlife–human interface through a One Health lens, Professor Michelle Power of Macquarie University delivered a fascinating seminar on infectious disease ecology, antimicrobial resistance, and wildlife parasitology. Hosted by the Institute of Parasitology and MCID, the presentation highlighted how urbanisation, environmental contamination, and human activity are reshaping host–pathogen interactions across diverse wildlife species. From antimicrobial resistance in koalas and flying foxes to emerging parasite dynamics in bats, sea lions, echidnas, and platypus, the seminar showcased the critical role of interdisciplinary research in understanding disease emergence, biodiversity conservation, and global public health.

Seminar

Prof. Mbala receiving a gift from Prof. Low
© MCID

Mpox outbreak, lessons learnt with Prof. Dr. med. Placide Mbala

The MCID and ISPM welcomed Prof. Placide Mbala of the Université de Kinshasa to Bern for a seminar on the evolution of Mpox from a neglected zoonotic disease into a global public health threat. Drawing on nearly two decades of research in the DRC, he highlighted changing transmission patterns, viral evolution, and the growing role of genomic surveillance in tracking outbreaks and emerging variants. Prof. Mbala emphasized the need for continued global collaboration, improved diagnostics and vaccines, and a One Health approach to Mpox research and response.

Click here to read more or to watch the webinar 

PhD defence: Jonas Steiner

© MCID 2026

Influenza A viruses circulating in Swiss pig herds and farmers

Jonas Steiner (Clinic for Swine, Vetsuisse Faculty) successfully defended his PhD thesis on Monday 4th May, 2026.

Seminar

Dr. Yingyu Liu with Prof. Dr. Bahtiyar Yilmaz
© MCID

‘Insider tips’ towards publication with Dr. Yingyu Liu, Scientific Editor of Cell Host and Microbe

Monday 27th April 2026, 12.00-13.00, Murtenstrasse 35 H810

Annual Fair

The EPL booth featuring a questionaire on visitors opinions on animal testing, and posters on the public debate on animal testing in Switzerland.
© EPL 2026

NRP79 3R Fair 2026 (15th April 2026)

Members of the EPL team attended the annual NRP79 3R fair at the Forum Fribourg.

Webinar

Prof. Dr. med. Gerrye Mubungu (University of Kinshasa) and Kizito Thimoléon Agbessy (University of Abomey-Calavi)

The CoRE Genomics for Health in Africa webinar took place on Monday 13th April 12.00 SAST / 12.00 CET) with guest speakers Prof. Dr. med. Gerrye Mubungu and Kizito Thimoléon Agbessy.

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Webinar

Dr Caitlin Uren Viljoen (Stellenbosch University) and Dr Juvenal Yosa (University of Groningen)

The CoRE Genomics for Health in Africa webinar took place on Monday 9th March 12.00 SAST / 11.00 CET) with guest speakers Dr. Caitlin Uren and Dr. Juvenal Yosa

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Film Preview

© MCID 2026

BLAME: Bats, politics and a planet out of balance

11th February 2026, 17.30-20.30pm, CineMovie 1, Seilerstrasse 4, Bern

The MCID were thrilled to co-host with the Swiss Biorisk Alliance and Institute for Infectious Diseases, the preview of Christian Frei’s new film “BLAME”, which explores the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic. The film looks at the world of scientific research and how it can be interpreted by politicians and the media. The film was followed by a panel discussion moderated by PD. Dr. Caroline Schlaufer, with the director Christian Frei, Prof. Dr. Volker Thiel and Dr. rer. nat. Kathrin Summermatter.

Seminar

Linking adaptive infectious-disease specific cohorts and dynamic modeling to enable public health relevant epidemic predictions with Prof. Dr. med. Berit Lange

Wednesday 11th February, 12.00-13.00 Room 220, Mittelstrasse 43, 3012 Bern

Webinar

Harnessing African Genome Diversity to advance Precision Medicine for all populations

The CoRE Genomics for Health in Africa webinar took place on Monday 9th February 12pm SAST / 11.00 CET) with guest speaker Prof. Segun Fatumo (Queen Mary University of London).

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PhD defence: Martin Wohlfender

Innovative approaches to integrate new data sources for epidemic surveillance

Martin Wohlfender (ISPM) successfully defended his PhD thesis on Friday, 30th January 2026.

PhD Defence: Jérémy Cherbuin

© MCID 2026

Integrating Host Immunity, Genomics, and Synthetic Biology to Develop Therapeutic Veterinary Bacteriophages

Jérémy Cherbuin (Institute of Veterinary Bacteriology) successfully defended his PhD thesis on Friday, 23rd January 2026.

2025

Seminar

Development of AI in health with Prof. Dr. Marcel Salathé

Friday 5th December, 12.15-13.30 University Main Building, Room 205, Hochschulstrasse 4. 3012 Bern

Workshop

Engaging in Policymaking as a Researcher

Tuesday 25th November 2025, 08.30-17.00; UniS, Schanzeneckstrasse 1, Bern

Vice-Rectorate International and Academic Careers

Organised by PD Dr. Caroline Schlaufer (EPL / KPM) and the Franxini Project, Reatch

Annual Event

MCID Annual Event 2025

Friday 21st November, 2025. 09.45-17.30 UniS, Schanzeneckstrasse 1, 3012 Bern

Nearly 100 participants joined the MCID Annual Event 2025 for a full day of talks, posters, and discussion highlighting the centre’s diverse infectious disease research. Keynotes and presentations explored topics ranging from vector-borne disease surveillance and respiratory virus exposure to public attitudes toward science and misinformation. The event concluded with a panel on science communication in a polarised world, underscoring the importance of new strategies to connect researchers with wider audiences.

See here for further information

Podium Discussion UniBE talks

© MCID 2025

Wo sind die Grenzen der Wissenschaftlichkeit? Where are the limits of Science?

5th November 2025, 18.15-19.45, Kuppelraum, UniBE Hauptgebäude, moderated by Servan Grüniger from Reatch.ch, featuring MCID members Prof. Dr. Eva Gluenz, PD Dr. Caroline Schlaufer, and Prof. Dr. Volker Thiel.

Further reports on the event can be read: MCID webpage and UniAktuell article (in German).

Science@Lunch

© MCID 2025

The Ethics and Policy Lab at the MCID and insights into a current research project

PD Dr. Caroline Brall gave a lunch time seminar on the 28th October at the Vetsuisse weekly Science@Lunch seminar series, where she gave an insight in the Ethics and Policy Lab and explained some of the ongoing projects.

MCID outreach

© MCID 2025

Nacht der Forschung 2025

6th September 2025, 16.00-23.00, Hauptgebaude Room 105. Once again the MCID team were present at the University of Bern's "Night of Science". This is always an important date in our diary and is always great fun presenting the MCID message to the general public.

To find out more read our full report here.

MCID outreach

© MCID 2025

Vetsuisse Open House

On June 28th, the Vetsuisse Faculty opened its doors to the public. The MCID organised a range of activities from "splat the pathogen" to face painting and from a quiz to test visitors' infectious disease knowledge to a pathogen detective activity. MCID-funded research was also presented in posters and prizes were won.

Read more here

Symposium

Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences (GCB) Annual Symposium

Thursday 26th June 2025, 09.00-19.00 vonRoll - University of Bern. Fabrikstr. 6 & 8; 3012 Bern

Eight PhD students supported by MCID-funding presented their research at the 2025 Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences Symposium

Read more here

BEA 2025

BEready present "Ticks under the magnifying glass"

25th April-4th May 2025, BERNEXPO, Bern

The BEready team took part in BEA 2025 with their activity "Ticks under the magnifying glass", engaging with the public on this key topic and taking the opportunity to present the BEready Cohort.

Read more here

Africa-Europe 360° cooperation

MCID in UniBE delegation: Initiative Afrique

10th April 2025, Brussels

The MCID were part of UniBE's delegation at the event "Africa-Europe 360° cooperation" hosted by the Mission of Switzerland to the EU and co-organized by the Initiative Afrique, University of Bern and SwissCore. Carmen Faso, MCID Co-Chair presented the Africa-Europe Cluster of Research Excellence Genomics for Health in Africa, Co-Lead by the MCID.

Read more here

2024

Podium Discussion

How political can science be? Wie politisch darf Wissenschaft sein?

Tuesday 3rd December, 18.00-20.00,Kuppelraum, UniBE Hauptgebäude. Organised by Reatch and PD Dr. Caroline Schlaufer (MCID Ethics and Policy Lab and KPM Center for Public Management).

For more information see here.

Annual Event

MCID Annual Event 2024

4th July 2024, 08.45-17.15. UniS (room S003), Schanzeneckstrasse 1, Bern.

The MCID Annual Event 2024 took place on 4th July 2024. The event featured 10 oral presentations and 25 poster presentations on a wide range of topics linked to infectious disease research, many but not all of which were linked to MCID-funded research. The event ended with a panel discussion on the topic of the science-policy interface post-pandemic. The full program including presentation abstracts and panel participants can be viewed here.

Information Event

Vogelgrippe (H5N1) in Kühen in den USA: was bedeutet das für die Schweiz?

28th May 2024. This information event (held in German) was organised by the MCID and the Geneva Center for Emerging Viral Diseases in response to detection of Influenza H5N1 in dairy cows in the USA. The event provided information from experts on the current situation and a platform for discussion and was attended by more than 240 people.

See here for a recording of the webinar.

Workshop

The role of the media in the spread of conspiracy theories

On Friday 16th May, interested journalists and researchers from different backgrounds took part in a workshop organised by the ICMB and funded by the MCID.

MCID Members present

Talk series: "AI, Healthcare and Policy"

MCID Members Fritz Sager, Johanna Hornung and Caroline Schlaufer spoke at the CAIM Policy Talks series, with podcast recordings available to view.

Symposium

Revision of the Swiss Epidemics Act

This information event on the revision of the Swiss Epidemics Act was open to all and aimed at scientists, representatives from administration and politics, as well as people from civil society interested in the topic.

See here for more information and copies of presentations: in English, auf Deutsch (event held in German).

2023

Franxini Project

Boot Camp on politics

7th and 8th June 2023. Open to MCID and OCCR members

See here for more details.

Workshop

Reflecting on ethical dimensions of your research and obtaining ethics approval

7th March 2023, 13.30-17.00. Run by the Ethics and Policy Lab

See here for more details.

2022

Nacht der Forschung 2022

University of Bern Nacht der Forschung ("Achtung, Ansteckend")

Saturday 10th September, 16.00-00.00. This was a public in-person event.

See here for more details.

Public Event

Monkeypox information event via Twitter Spaces

Wednesday 29th June 2022, 18.00-19.00. This was a public event held using Twitter spaces.

Click here for a full sound recording of the event as welll as more information.

Event

MCID Opening Event

June 9th and 10th 2022

Click here for a full program and more information about the event to mark the official opening of the MCID.

2021

Event

MCID-Omicron Event

The MCID-Omicron event, "The SARS-CoV-2 variant Omicron: a snapshot of where we are", took place on 8th December 2021.

Please see here for more details and for a full recording of the event.