This second edition of the PhD Symposium on “Biological Control of arthropod pests and plant diseases” of the IOBC-WPRS Commission “Young IOBC-WPRS” is an opportunity for PhD candidates currently doing their PhD in the field of biological control to share their research and discuss it with their peers, benefiting from the advice and feedback of experienced researchers. This gathering provides a platform for PhD candidates to connect, collaborate, and learn from each other’s experiences.
The meeting will take place at the facilities of ICIA in the Botanical Garden of La Orotava (Puerto de la Cruz). Activities include oral presentations by the PhD candidates, plenary talks by invited researchers, a talk and guided tour of the gardens by the organizing team, workshops, a cultural tour and a social dinner.
We are pleased to announce the names of the 2 guest researchers who will participate in this event and give a plenary talk:
- Marcel Dicke, Professor of Entomology, Wageningen University (the Netherlands)
- Marc Bardin, Research Director in Phytopathology, INRAE Avignon (France)
The PhD students interested in joining this symposium should fill out the following application form: https://forms.office.com/r/1hdNwXDkNg
Deadline to submit applications: 10th April 2026.
We will select a maximum of 20 PhD students and communicate the result of the selection process no later than 17th April 2026.
Registration fee, to be paid later by the selected candidates:
- IOBC Members: 150 €
- Non-IOBC Members: 240 €
- Non-IOBC Members residing in Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Türkiye and Yemen: 200 €
The registration fee includes 3 lunches, 5 coffee breaks, 1 dinner, 1 cultural visit and, for the Non-IOBC Members, their registration as members of IOBC-WPRS for one year.
Local organizing team: Angelos Mouratidis, Estrella Hernández Suárez, María Quintana González de Chaves, Jorge Alfredo Reyes-Betancort, Anabel Millán Leiva (Cucare Diagnostics)
Convenor and Liaison officer of the Young IOBC-WPRS Commission: Sophie Le Hesran and Bruno Gobin
Download: Invitation letter (pdf)
Date
11 - 13 November 2026
Place
Canarian Institute of Agricultural Research (ICIA) in Tenerife, Spain