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YAS 2025 - Almería

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    The Young Algaeneers Symposium 2025 (YAS25), held in Almería, Spain from 3–6 June, brought together early-career scientists, industry professionals, and algae enthusiasts to explore the latest in algal research and innovation. . Organized by a team of young researchers from the University of Almería and different institutions across Europe, and supported by the European Algae Biomass Association (EABA), the event featured dynamic short talks, site visits, hands-on workshops, and an innovation competition. With themes spanning cultivation, biotechnology, sustainability, and applications, YAS25 empowered young researchers to lead discussions and shape the future of algae-based solutions and fostered collaboration and creativity.


    YAS25: Algae-Based Innovation by and for Early-Career Researchers

    The radiant Mediterranean city of Almería, internationally recognized for its agricultural innovation and thriving microalgae research ecosystem, provided the ideal backdrop for YAS25. With the world’s highest concentration of greenhouses and a dynamic biotechnology hub, the city underscored the symposium’s emphasis on practical, sustainable solutions. Bringing together early-career researchers, industry professionals, and algae enthusiasts, the event blended scientific rigor with creativity and participation-driven energy. Organized by a dedicated team of Young Algaeneer volunteers, together with the University of Almería (UAL) and supported by the European Algae Biomass Association (EABA), YAS25 embodied the spirit of innovation and collaboration at the heart of the algae community (Figure 1).




    Figure 1. Group photo of the Young Algaeeners Symposium 2025 (YAS25) in the University of Almería (Spain).

    Purpose, Participants, and Format

    Organised by and for young scientists in the micro- and macroalgae sectors, YAS25 welcomed 109 participants from 25 nationalities. The audience included 83 Young Algaeneers, alongside 12 senior experts, 11 invited speakers, and additional representatives from academia, industry, and policy. This diverse mix created a unique platform for global networking and knowledge exchange across generations and sectors.
    Emphasising interaction, idea-sharing, and co-creation, the symposium offered participants a genuine opportunity to shape the agenda and discussions. Its participatory format featured Young Algaeneer Talks, poster sessions, themed working groups, an Innovation Competition, guided site visits, and hands-on workshops (Figure 2). Together, these activities fostered an environment of collaboration, creativity, and cross-sector engagement, empowering early-career researchers to take the lead in advancing algae-based solutions.



    Figure 2. Microalgae cooking workshop. Participants explored the culinary potential of algae through hands-on preparation of innovative dishes, bridging scientific knowledge with gastronomy.



    Opening and Invited Speeches

    The event opened with a warm welcome from Professor José Antonio Sánchez-Pérez (Vice-Rector for Scientific Policy, UAL), followed by Professor Gabriel Acién (Vice-President of EABA, UAL), and Daniel Figueiredo (Chair of the Symposium, GreenCoLab).

    The scientific programme of YAS25 was enriched by the contributions of distinguished invited speakers, who brought diverse perspectives from academia, industry, and applied research. Prof. Avigad Vonshak (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel) opened with a keynote on Spirulina: “Where we started, achievements and failures, offering historical insights into mass algal cultivation”. Prof. Gabriel Acién Fernández (University of Almería, Spain) shared the latest advances in algal biotechnology, while Joan Tarraga (GAT Therapeutics, Algaktiv) provided career reflections on innovation and entrepreneurship in algae biotech. Dr. Laurent Picot (La Rochelle University, France) presented multiple innovations with focus on novel strategies for purifying antiviral peptides from seaweeds, and Dr. Iulian-Zoltan Boboescu (Wageningen University, The Netherlands) provided a great overview on downstream processing and introduced new approaches to algal biorefineries. Expanding the scope to aquaculture and sustainability, Dr. Dorinde Kleinegris (NORCE, Norway; University of Bergen) highlighted the role of microalgae in sustainable aquaculture practices, while Dr. Pia Lindberg (Uppsala University, Sweden) explored the engineering of cyanobacteria for the production of solar chemicals and fuels from CO₂. Together, these talks provided a broad and inspiring overview of the frontiers of algae research and innovation.

    Young Algaeneer Talks

    For the first time at YAS, early-career researchers took the stage in a new talk format designed to break away from traditional conference presentations. The programme was structured around five themed sessions: Bioprocess optimisation, algae physiology and genetic engineering, bioactive compounds and applications, and circular bioeconomy & sustainability, featuring 5-minute talks followed by a 30-minute interactive roundtable discussion (Figure 3).
    This innovative setup not only showcased a wide range of emerging research but also encouraged active dialogue and critical exchange between speakers and the audience. Highlights included bioprocess optimisation strategies such as wastewater remediation, hydrogen production, adaptive pH control in raceways, and solar drying of biomass; advances in physiology and bioengineering like novel cyanobacterial taxonomy and light-driven catalysis; and application-focused innovations spanning algae-based biostimulants, bioactives from wastewater-grown biomass, and CO₂-driven astaxanthin production.
    By combining fast-paced presentations with open discussion, the Young Algaeneer Talks created a dynamic, participatory atmosphere that strengthened peer-to-peer exchange, challenged ideas, and built new research connections making this format a defining and memorable feature of YAS25.



    Figure 3. Young Algaeener Talk session.


    Working Groups & Innovation Competition

      A highlight of YAS25 was the return of the Working Groups, a collaborative activity designed to bring participants together to tackle real challenges in algae research and technology. These sessions united young scientists from diverse backgrounds—ranging from biology and engineering to policy and entrepreneurship, creating a fertile ground for interdisciplinary problem-solving and idea generation.

        The Young Algaeneers Symposium 2025 (YAS25), held in Almería, Spain from 3–6 June, brought together early-career scientists, industry professionals, and algae enthusiasts to explore the latest in algal research and innovation. . Organized by a team of young researchers from the University of Almería and different institutions across Europe, and supported by the European Algae Biomass Association (EABA), the event featured dynamic short talks, site visits, hands-on workshops, and an innovation competition. With themes spanning cultivation, biotechnology, sustainability, and applications, YAS25 empowered young researchers to lead discussions and shape the future of algae-based solutions and fostered collaboration and creativity.


        YAS25: Algae-Based Innovation by and for Early-Career Researchers

        The radiant Mediterranean city of Almería, internationally recognized for its agricultural innovation and thriving microalgae research ecosystem, provided the ideal backdrop for YAS25. With the world’s highest concentration of greenhouses and a dynamic biotechnology hub, the city underscored the symposium’s emphasis on practical, sustainable solutions. Bringing together early-career researchers, industry professionals, and algae enthusiasts, the event blended scientific rigor with creativity and participation-driven energy. Organized by a dedicated team of Young Algaeneer volunteers, together with the University of Almería (UAL) and supported by the European Algae Biomass Association (EABA), YAS25 embodied the spirit of innovation and collaboration at the heart of the algae community (Figure 1).


          On the 3rd day of the Symposium, participants stepped out of the lecture hall and into real-world applications through a combination of site visits and practical workshops.
          Site visits included:

          • Biorizon Biotech – specialising in algae-derived biostimulants and biopesticides,
          • Aqualia – using algae to treat urban wastewater treatment,
          • SABANA demo plant – showcasing large-scale microalgae biorefinery systems.



          Figure 4. Visit to the facilities of Biorizon Biotech (Almeria, Spain).

          Workshops ran in parallel, offering hands-on activities such as:

          • Cooking with microalgae (Figure 2),
          • Algae in cosmetics,
          • Seaweed identification and taxonomy.

          Led by practitioners including Kricelle Mosquera Deamici (GreenCoLab), Isabel Portugal (Devolverde), and Ricardo Bermejo (University of Málaga), these sessions fostered creativity, experimentation, and cross-disciplinary engagement.


            Networking, Food, and Hospitality

            The social and networking components of YAS25 were equally well curated. The programme featured a relaxed welcome event at the Antonio de Torres Guitar Museum and a Welcome Dinner at the Almería Central Market, offering excellent opportunities for informal exchanges. Throughout the event, participants enjoyed vegetarian and allergen-friendly refreshments, as well as daily lunches at the UAL canteen, encouraging conversations and collaborations. Participants also had the chance to enjoy a show-cooking session organised by Portomuiños, where they explored the culinary potential of seaweeds through innovative and flavourful dishes. In addition to the scientific programme, participants enjoyed cultural visits to iconic sites such as the Alcazaba of Almeria, offering a glimpse into the city’s rich historical heritage (Figure 5).


            Figure 5. Visit to Alcazaba (Almeria, Spain).



            Sponsors & Partners

            YAS25 was made possible thanks to the generous support of a diverse network of sponsors and strategic partners who ensured the success and inclusivity of the event. The symposium was proudly supported by SCHOTT (Gold Sponsor); COSEC, Holodetect, and SUMAPRO (Silver Sponsors); BMCC, Biorizon Biotech, and Aqualia Chair (Bronze Sponsors); BlueBioMatch, Bord à Bord, Eventee, JoVE, and Your Well (In-Kind Sponsors); together with Bluewave Alliance, CIESOL, Devolverde, GreenCoLab, L’eautelier, and Porto-Muiños (Strategic Partners). Their contributions went far beyond financial support. They provided scholarships that enabled international participation, innovation prizes that encouraged entrepreneurial spirit, in-kind resources such as event platforms, media, and seaweed products, as well as cultural and culinary activities that highlighted algae’s diversity and societal impact. This broad collaboration between companies, research initiatives, and nonprofit organizations reflects the truly interdisciplinary nature of the algae sector and strengthened the bridge between science, industry, and society at YAS25.

            We were also thrilled to promote the activities of Morgan Rae’s l’eautelier, a marine-based design studio pioneering regenerative material solutions in the hotel sector. Next to introducing the Young Algaeneers to these exciting possibilities for the algae sector, she also offered a free trial of l’eauteliers substack.

            Last but not least, YAS again hosted an artistic installation: The multidisciplinary designer and artistic researcher Anthea Oestreicher navigates the thresholds of art, science, and the humanities. Her work centres on plankton—both within and beyond the bounds of scientific inquiry. At YAS25 she for the first time presented her newest videoinstallation titled “Who has known the ocean?”.


            Impact and Takeaways

            YAS25 proved a success on multiple fronts, reinforcing its position as the leading platform for the next generation of algae professionals.

            • Cross-disciplinary exchange brought together academia, industry, and policy under the shared vision of sustainable innovation.
            • The participant-led format empowered young researchers to take ownership, shaping the program and discussions in meaningful ways.
            • Immersion in Almería’s unique algae ecosystem bridged cutting-edge research with real-world applications.

            Excellence was highlighted through awards for posters, working groups, and innovation pitches, along with scholarships that broadened international participation. The combination of scientific sessions, practical workshops, and cultural activities ensured that ideas were shared, networks strengthened, and inspiration sparked. Participants left with new knowledge, valuable collaborations, and a renewed commitment to advancing algae-based solutions worldwide.


            Conclusions

            YAS25 embodied the future of algae science: collaborative, inclusive, and impact-driven. From flash-talks to workshops on novel food ingredients, biomaterials, and sustainable aquaculture, the symposium showcased creativity, diversity, and entrepreneurial spirit, driving the next wave of biotechnological innovation.

            As these young algaeneers return to their institutions across Europe and beyond, the ideas, partnerships, and momentum generated in Almería will continue to shape the field and inspire new solutions. Building on this success, preparations for YAS 2026 are already underway, ensuring that the community-driven spirit of YAS continues to thrive, grow, and lead the global algae sector into a sustainable future.

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