MArBEL 2026: Celebrating the Belgian fMRI Community

I was delighted to be part of the organising committee of MArBEL 2026, the Belgian meeting bringing together researchers working with MRI across Belgium.

Being involved in the organisation was a great opportunity to connect with the Belgian MRI community, interact with researchers from different institutions and career stages, and exchange ideas beyond our own research groups. It was particularly rewarding to see the breadth of expertise within the Belgian neuroimaging community and to contribute to creating a space where researchers could share their work, discuss new ideas, and build new connections.

One of the most valuable aspects of the meeting was the opportunity to foster collaborations and strengthen connections between researchers working across different institutions and fields. Meetings like MArBEL are not only about presenting research, but also about creating the conversations and connections that can lead to new collaborations and shared projects.

The MArBEL 2026 organising committee in the lush, jungle-like surroundings of the beautiful Botanical Garden.

It was a pleasure to be part of the team that brought the meeting together and, more broadly, to feel actively involved in such a vibrant and collaborative Belgian fMRI community. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this community and to work alongside colleagues who are equally passionate about neuroimaging research.

A big thank you to all the organisers, speakers, presenters, and participants who contributed to making MArBEL 2026 such a stimulating and enjoyable meeting. I look forward to seeing the collaborations and ideas sparked by the meeting continue to grow.