The 10th International USERN Congress and Prize Awarding Festival: Day 1

The first day of the 10th International USERN Congress began with a spirit of collaboration, curiosity, and celebration of science without borders. Held on November 8, 2025, in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, the congress opened under this year’s unifying theme, “ONEHealth: From Formal to PsychoMedical Sciences.” The day brought together distinguished scientists, students, and professionals from around the world to explore the intersections of disciplines and advance shared understanding across the scientific spectrum.

The morning session opened with welcoming remarks from the Rectors of the Host Universities, Prof. Leonardo Oliveira Reis, the Local Chair of the Congress, Prof. Nima Rezaei, Founder of USERN, and Prof. Tommaso Dorigo, President of USERN. Their speeches emphasized the significance of international collaboration and interdisciplinary exchange in shaping the future of science and society.

The day also featured the closing ceremony of the 11th International Festival of Paintings for Pediatric Patients (IFPPP). The best three paintings in each age category were celebrated, showcasing the artistic talents and creativity of young patients from around the world. Here is the list of young creative painters whose great works of art have been appreciated in the closing ceremony of the 11th IFPPP.

Group 3-6 years old:

1- Zhania Omidi, 5, Iran

2- Sepehr Izadi, 6, Iran

3- Magdalena Stoyanova, 6, Bulgaria

Group 7-10 years old:

1- Janan Pezeshki, 7, Iran

2- Aram Ghassemi, 9, Australia

3- Niyayesh Adineh, 10, Iran

Group 11-14 years old:

1- Arshida Jahanpour, 12, Iran

2- Dimana Petrova, 12, Bulgaria

3- Shukt Shah, 13, India

Group 15-18 years old:

1- Nazli Naghavi, 15, Iran

2- Morte Maia Andreea, 15, Romania

3- Deniz Papila, 15, Turkey

The congress’s academic sessions began with five captivating keynote lectures delivered by scientists, including Prof. Timothy Lyons (USA), Prof. Alberto Ruiz (Spain), Prof. Matthias von Herrath (USA), Prof. Steven Hayes (USA), and Prof. Bahram Mobasher (USA). Their talks spanned a wide range of disciplines, showcasing the power of integrated science to address global challenges.

• Prof. Timothy Lyons (USA) — "Newly Emerging Threats at the Intersection Between Climate Change and Human Health"

• Prof. Alberto Ruiz (Spain) — "Exploring the mysteries of the Universe: Projects for future Higgs factories"

• Prof. Matthias von Herrath (USA) — "Optimizing the scientific dialogue in times of division"

• Prof. Steven Hayes (USA) — "The Ergodic Illusion: How Normative Statistics Mislead the Life Sciences"

• Prof. Bahram Mobasher (USA) — "Latest Results from the James Webb Space Telescope: The First Billion Years"

In the afternoon, there was the One Health Scientific Session, featuring lectures by Prof. Mario Saad, Prof. Reinaldo Salomão, Prof. Christopher Kinsella, Prof. Jorge Toro, Prof. Licio Velloso, Prof. Roger Chammas, and Prof. Leonardo Reis.

This was followed by a workshop on “Mapping Brain Connectivity with Diffusion MRI Fiber Tractography,” led by Dr. Alexander Leemans (The Netherlands), which provided participants with practical insights into advanced neuroimaging methodologies.

Participants also had the opportunity to engage in an inspiring Meet the Expert Session with Prof. Steven Hayes (USA), offering an open discussion on innovation and scientific mindset.

Another significant achievement of the day was the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between USERN and Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas (PUC-Campinas), one of Brazil’s esteemed academic institutions. This strategic partnership represents a meaningful step forward in advancing USERN’s missions.

In parallel, virtual keynote lectures were held, connecting international participants through keynote lectures by Prof. Tommaso Dorigo (Italy), Prof. Ute Römling (Sweden), and Prof. Paulo R. Bueno (Brazil). This hybrid format reflected USERN’s commitment to inclusivity and global scientific exchange.

The day concluded with in-person poster presentations and virtual oral sessions, where researchers and young scientists shared their latest findings, fostering dialogue and collaboration among participants worldwide.

The first day of the 10th International USERN Congress was filled with inspiration, innovation, and connection; a true reflection of USERN’s mission to promote “Science without Borders.”