UPRISE Joins ExpoHealthNet Kick-off Event in Barcelona
The UPRISE team was proud to take part in the ExpoHealthNet (EHN) Kick-off event, held in Barcelona and online. The two-day meeting brought together seven pioneering Horizon Europe projects - MARKOPOLO, ENACT, ENVESOME, ExpoSignalz, EXPOSIM, ClimAIr, and UPRISE - to begin a collaborative journey focused on how environmental factors influence non-communicable diseases.
Day 1: Presentations and Shared Insights
The first day offered an open platform to introduce the participating projects, share current challenges, and explore opportunities for collaboration.
Our project coordinator, Dr. Alba Ruiz Gaitán, presented the UPRISE project, which investigates how tiny airborne pollutants - including ultrafine particles (UFPs) and micro-nanoplastics (MNPs) - may affect fetal health. These pollutants, originating from traffic, industry, and plastic waste, are an increasing concern for both expectant families and public health experts.
The exchange of ideas across all projects highlighted how diverse expertise and perspectives can create synergies in addressing environmental health issues.
Day 2: Working Groups and Networking
The second day was dedicated to a Hybrid Session for project members only, focusing on defining the responsibilities and objectives of the various working groups within the ExpoHealthNet cluster. These discussions were instrumental in laying the groundwork for effective collaboration and long-term impact.
Alongside the structured sessions, participants also benefited from in-person networking opportunities. Coffee breaks, a dedicated “speed dating” networking session, and a social dinner provided valuable space for informal conversations, new partnerships, and the exchange of fresh ideas.
Looking Ahead
The ExpoHealthNet Kick-off event marked an important step in building a strong community of research projects under the Horizon Europe framework. UPRISE is proud to be part of this initiative and is committed to contributing valuable knowledge on the impact of environmental stressors on maternal and child health.
We thank the organizers and partner projects for an inspiring start and look forward to the collaboration and discoveries ahead.
