{"id":46503,"date":"2025-11-25T15:42:48","date_gmt":"2025-11-25T15:42:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/?post_type=vf_event&#038;p=46503"},"modified":"2026-10-19T08:57:24","modified_gmt":"2026-10-19T08:57:24","slug":"2026-kafatos-lecture","status":"publish","type":"vf_event","link":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/events\/2026-kafatos-lecture\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Kafatos Lecture"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"vf-tabs\"><ul class=\"vf-tabs__list\" data-vf-js-tabs=\"true\"><li class=\"vf-tabs__item\"><a class=\"vf-tabs__link\" href=\"#vf-tabs__section-0cc3fb40-5f51-4567-8008-4dd08ebcc9ad\" data-vf-js-location-nearest-activation-target=\"\">Watch<\/a><\/li><li class=\"vf-tabs__item\"><a class=\"vf-tabs__link\" href=\"#vf-tabs__section-4ea0ed96-a2e9-4c78-98f6-9fa7ed2e0b22\" data-vf-js-location-nearest-activation-target=\"\">About<\/a><\/li><li class=\"vf-tabs__item\"><a class=\"vf-tabs__link\" href=\"#vf-tabs__section-c53aa28b-58ee-4682-999b-79ecb1092c7e\" data-vf-js-location-nearest-activation-target=\"\">Programme<\/a><\/li><li class=\"vf-tabs__item\"><a class=\"vf-tabs__link\" href=\"#vf-tabs__section-b63512d4-43aa-4962-8bf3-6b61048a7cbf\" data-vf-js-location-nearest-activation-target=\"\">Information for participants<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"vf-tabs-content\" data-vf-js-tabs-content=\"true\">\n<section class=\"vf-tabs__section\" id=\"vf-tabs__section-0cc3fb40-5f51-4567-8008-4dd08ebcc9ad\"><h2>Watch<\/h2>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/6goJJZL3s-c\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\ud83d\udd17 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/embl-announcements\/nobel-laureate-svante-paabo-to-deliver-2026-kafatos-lecture\/\">2026 Kafatos Lecture Announcement<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\ud83d\udd17 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/people-perspectives\/exploring-humanitys-shared-history-through-paleogenetics\/\">Interview with Svante, September 2026<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">See Photo Gallery below<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"vf-grid | vf-grid__col-3\"><div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<figure class=\"vf-figure wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" class=\"vf-figure__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/01-634A6338-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53867\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.666983548548945;width:176px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/01-634A6338-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/01-634A6338-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/01-634A6338-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/01-634A6338-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/01-634A6338-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/01-634A6338-scaled.jpg 1707w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><figcaption class=\"vf-figure__caption\">Svante P\u00e4\u00e4bo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<figure class=\"vf-figure wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" class=\"vf-figure__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6389-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53869\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6389-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6389-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6389-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6389-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6389-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"vf-figure__caption\">Mehrnoosh Rayner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<figure class=\"vf-figure wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" class=\"vf-figure__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6422-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53871\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6422-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6422-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6422-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6422-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6422-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"vf-figure__caption\">Menas Kafatos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"vf-grid | vf-grid__col-3\"><div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<figure class=\"vf-figure wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" class=\"vf-figure__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/05-2H8A3747-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53873\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/05-2H8A3747-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/05-2H8A3747-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/05-2H8A3747-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/05-2H8A3747-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/05-2H8A3747.jpg 1771w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"vf-figure__caption\">Audience members<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<figure class=\"vf-figure wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" class=\"vf-figure__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6440-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53875\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6440-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6440-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6440-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6440-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6440-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"vf-figure__caption\">Vassilis Charmandaris<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<figure class=\"vf-figure wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" class=\"vf-figure__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6481-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53877\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6481-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6481-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6481-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6481-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6481-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"vf-figure__caption\">Nektarios Tavernarakis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"vf-grid | vf-grid__col-3\"><div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<figure class=\"vf-figure wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" class=\"vf-figure__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6505-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53883\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6505-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6505-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6505-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6505-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6505-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"vf-figure__caption\">Alexis Kalokairinos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<figure class=\"vf-figure wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" class=\"vf-figure__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6512-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53881\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6512-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6512-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6512-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6512-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/02-634A6512-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"vf-figure__caption\">Eileen Furlong<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<figure class=\"vf-figure wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" class=\"vf-figure__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/03-2H8A3355-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53885\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/03-2H8A3355-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/03-2H8A3355-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/03-2H8A3355-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/03-2H8A3355-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/03-2H8A3355-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"vf-figure__caption\">Svante P\u00e4\u00e4bo and Eileen Furlong<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"vf-grid | vf-grid__col-3\"><div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<figure class=\"vf-figure wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" class=\"vf-figure__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/03-2H8A3429-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53887\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/03-2H8A3429-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/03-2H8A3429-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/03-2H8A3429-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/03-2H8A3429-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/03-2H8A3429-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"vf-figure__caption\">Vassilis Charmandaris, John Vontas, Svante P\u00e4\u00e4bo and Eileen Furlong<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<figure class=\"vf-figure wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" class=\"vf-figure__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/05-634A6518-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53889\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/05-634A6518-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/05-634A6518-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/05-634A6518-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/05-634A6518-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/05-634A6518-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"vf-figure__caption\">Svante and audience members<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<figure class=\"vf-figure wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" class=\"vf-figure__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/04a-634A6552-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53891\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/04a-634A6552-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/04a-634A6552-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/04a-634A6552-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/04a-634A6552-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/04a-634A6552-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"vf-figure__caption\">Svante P\u00e4\u00e4bo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"vf-grid | vf-grid__col-3\"><div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<figure class=\"vf-figure wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" class=\"vf-figure__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/04b-2H8A3664-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53893\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/04b-2H8A3664-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/04b-2H8A3664-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/04b-2H8A3664-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/04b-2H8A3664-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/04b-2H8A3664-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"vf-figure__caption\">Svante P\u00e4\u00e4bo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<figure class=\"vf-figure wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" class=\"vf-figure__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/06a-634A6796-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53895\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/06a-634A6796-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/06a-634A6796-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/06a-634A6796-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/06a-634A6796-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/06a-634A6796-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"vf-figure__caption\">Svante P\u00e4\u00e4bo and Briony Jackson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<figure class=\"vf-figure wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" class=\"vf-figure__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/06b-634A6772-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53897\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/06b-634A6772-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/06b-634A6772-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/06b-634A6772-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/06b-634A6772-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/06b-634A6772-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"vf-figure__caption\">Audience members during Q&amp;A<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"vf-grid | vf-grid__col-3\"><div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<figure class=\"vf-figure wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" class=\"vf-figure__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/06c-634A6867-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53899\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/06c-634A6867-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/06c-634A6867-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/06c-634A6867-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/06c-634A6867-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/06c-634A6867-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"vf-figure__caption\">Svante P\u00e4\u00e4bo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<figure class=\"vf-figure wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"689\" class=\"vf-figure__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/06d-IMG_3188-edited-2-1024x689.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53939\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/06d-IMG_3188-edited-2-1024x689.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/06d-IMG_3188-edited-2-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/06d-IMG_3188-edited-2-768x517.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/06d-IMG_3188-edited-2-1536x1033.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/06d-IMG_3188-edited-2-2048x1378.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"vf-figure__caption\">Svante P\u00e4\u00e4bo and Briony Jackson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<figure class=\"vf-figure wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" class=\"vf-figure__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/06e-634A6664-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53909\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/06e-634A6664-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/06e-634A6664-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/06e-634A6664-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/06e-634A6664-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/06e-634A6664.jpg 1771w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"vf-figure__caption\">Audience members during Q&amp;A<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"vf-grid | vf-grid__col-3\"><div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<figure class=\"vf-figure wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" class=\"vf-figure__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/05-634A6527-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53911\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/05-634A6527-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/05-634A6527-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/05-634A6527-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/05-634A6527-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/05-634A6527.jpg 1771w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"vf-figure__caption\">Audience members<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<figure class=\"vf-figure wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" class=\"vf-figure__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/07a-2H8A3835-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53913\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/07a-2H8A3835-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/07a-2H8A3835-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/07a-2H8A3835-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/07a-2H8A3835-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/07a-2H8A3835-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"vf-figure__caption\">Organising team<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<figure class=\"vf-figure wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"690\" class=\"vf-figure__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/07b-IMG_3208-edited-3-1024x690.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53935\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/07b-IMG_3208-edited-3-1024x690.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/07b-IMG_3208-edited-3-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/07b-IMG_3208-edited-3-768x517.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/07b-IMG_3208-edited-3-1536x1034.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/07b-IMG_3208-edited-3-2048x1379.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"vf-figure__caption\">Svante with audience members<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"vf-grid | vf-grid__col-3\"><div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<figure class=\"vf-figure wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"664\" class=\"vf-figure__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/07c-IMG_3221-edited-1024x664.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53927\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/07c-IMG_3221-edited-1024x664.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/07c-IMG_3221-edited-300x195.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/07c-IMG_3221-edited-768x498.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/07c-IMG_3221-edited-1536x996.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/07c-IMG_3221-edited-2048x1328.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"vf-figure__caption\">Svante with audience members post-lecture<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<figure class=\"vf-figure wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" class=\"vf-figure__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/07d-634A7031-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53919\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/07d-634A7031-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/07d-634A7031-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/07d-634A7031-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/07d-634A7031-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/07d-634A7031-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"vf-figure__caption\">ASvante with audience members post-lecture<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<figure class=\"vf-figure wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" class=\"vf-figure__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/07e-2H8A3984-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53921\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/07e-2H8A3984-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/07e-2H8A3984-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/07e-2H8A3984-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/07e-2H8A3984-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/07e-2H8A3984-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"vf-figure__caption\">Eileen Furlong and Svante P\u00e4\u00e4bo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"vf-grid | vf-grid__col-3\"><div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<figure class=\"vf-figure wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" class=\"vf-figure__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08a-2H8A3741-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53923\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08a-2H8A3741-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08a-2H8A3741-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08a-2H8A3741-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08a-2H8A3741-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/08a-2H8A3741.jpg 1771w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"vf-figure__caption\">Thank you!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"vf-tabs__section\" id=\"vf-tabs__section-4ea0ed96-a2e9-4c78-98f6-9fa7ed2e0b22\"><h2>About<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Svante P\u00e4\u00e4bo<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"vf-figure wp-block-image  | vf-figure--align vf-figure--align-inline-start   size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" class=\"vf-figure__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/A_DSC3936-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-46505\" style=\"width:347px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/A_DSC3936-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/A_DSC3936-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/A_DSC3936-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/A_DSC3936-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/A_DSC3936-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/A_DSC3936-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><figcaption class=\"vf-figure__caption\">Svante P\u00e4\u00e4bo (<em><em>Credit: \u00a9MPI for Evolutionary Anthropology<\/em><\/em>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eva.mpg.de\/genetics\/staff\/paabo\/\">Svante P\u00e4\u00e4bo<\/a> is a Swedish evolutionary geneticist whose pioneering work gave rise to the field of paleogenomics: the study of ancient DNA to shed light on the evolution of humans and other organisms. As Director at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, he led the Neandertal Genome Project, which achieved the first sequencing of a Neanderthal genome and revealed that Neanderthals and modern humans interbred. His team later discovered a previously unknown hominin, the Denisovans, through DNA extracted from a small bone fragment found in Siberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For his discoveries concerning the genomes of extinct hominins and their influence on modern humans, P\u00e4\u00e4bo received the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nobelprize.org\/prizes\/medicine\/2022\/paabo\/facts\/\">2022 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine<\/a>. His work continues to reshape our understanding of what makes us uniquely human, and how the legacy of our extinct relatives lives on within our DNA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Neanderthal Perspective on Human Origins and Health:<br>How Ancient DNA is Revealing New Insights into Disease and Biology<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In EMBL\u2019s fifth annual Kafatos Lecture, Nobel laureate Svante P\u00e4\u00e4bo explored how genetic material inherited from our long-extinct relatives offers profound insights into human biology and health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Through his pioneering sequencing of the Neanderthal and Denisovan genomes, P\u00e4\u00e4bo revealed that all people of non-African ancestry carry 1\u20132% Neanderthal DNA. These ancient genetic variants influence a surprising range of traits in modern humans, from immune responses and pain sensitivity to metabolism and disease outcomes. Some Neanderthal-derived variants, for example, increase vulnerability to severe COVID-19 while offering protection against HIV infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Using cutting-edge techniques, including gene editing and organoid models, P\u00e4\u00e4bo\u2019s group now studies how these archaic genes function in living human cells \u2014 effectively turning back the genetic clock to understand evolution at the molecular level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This lecture took the audience on a journey from ancient bones to modern biology, revealing how traces of our extinct ancestors continue to influence our wellbeing and health outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Kafatos Lectures<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/community\/recognitions\/kafatos-lecture\/\">Kafatos Lectures<\/a> aim to bring groundbreaking and relevant life sciences research to the worldwide public, making it accessible and highlighting its day-to-day societal impact. Whether you&#8217;re a high school student, a world-class scientist or someone with a non-scientific background, this lecture is tailored for you. The only requirements are enthusiasm and curiosity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"vf-figure wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"713\" class=\"vf-figure__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/KafatosLecture_2026-2-1024x713.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-46571\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/KafatosLecture_2026-2-1024x713.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/KafatosLecture_2026-2-300x209.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/KafatosLecture_2026-2-768x535.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/KafatosLecture_2026-2-1536x1070.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/KafatosLecture_2026-2-2048x1427.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"vf-figure__caption\">Credit: Daniela Velasco\/EMBL<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"vf-tabs__section\" id=\"vf-tabs__section-c53aa28b-58ee-4682-999b-79ecb1092c7e\"><h2>Programme<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Friday 9 October 2026<\/strong><\/td><td><strong><em><span style=\"color: red;\">Please note: This event begins at 19:00hrs EET, which is 18:00hrs CET.<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><br><br>19:00-19:10 EET<br><em><span style=\"color: maroon;\">18:00-18:10 CET<\/span><\/em><\/td><td>Word of welcome<br>EMBL Head of Alumni Relations, <strong>Mehrnoosh Rayner<\/strong><br>FORTH President, <strong>Vassilis Charmandaris<\/strong><br>EMBC President; former FORTH President and IMBB Director, <strong>Nektarios Tavernarakis<\/strong><br>Heraklion Mayor, <strong>Alexis Kalokairinos<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>19:10-19:15 EET<br><em><span style=\"color: maroon;\">18:10-18:15 CET<\/span><\/em><\/td><td>Introduction&nbsp;<br>Head of EMBL Genome Biology&nbsp;<strong>Eileen Furlong<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><br>19:15-19:45 EET<br><em><span style=\"color: maroon;\">18:15-18:45 CET<\/span><\/em><\/td><td>2026 Kafatos Lecture by Nobel Laureate&nbsp;<strong>Svante P\u00e4\u00e4bo<\/strong><br><strong><br>A Neanderthal Perspective on Human Origins and Health:<\/strong><br>&#8220;How Ancient DNA is Revealing New Insights into Disease and Biology&#8221;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>19:45-20:15 EET<br><em><span style=\"color: maroon;\">18:45-19:15 CET<\/span><\/em><\/td><td>Q&amp;A with&nbsp;<strong>Svante P\u00e4\u00e4bo<\/strong><br>Moderated by EMBL Head of Science Education and Public Engagement <strong>Briony Jackson<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>20:15-onwards EET<br><em><span style=\"color: maroon;\">19:15-onwards CET<\/span><\/em><\/td><td>Refreshments and party<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"vf-tabs__section\" id=\"vf-tabs__section-b63512d4-43aa-4962-8bf3-6b61048a7cbf\"><h2>Information for participants<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Venue: IMBB-FORTH main campus, Innovation and Advanced Education Hub<br>(<strong>I<\/strong>nstitute of <strong>M<\/strong>olecular <strong>B<\/strong>iology and <strong>B<\/strong>iotechnology &#8211; <br>of the <strong>Fo<\/strong>undation for <strong>R<\/strong>esearch and <strong>T<\/strong>echnology <strong>H<\/strong>ellas)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imbb.forth.gr\/\">www.imbb.forth.gr<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nik. Plastira 100<br>Vassilika Vouton<br>70013 Heraklion<br>Crete, Greece<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/p2S6X22CMusfVMqp8\">Google maps<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"vf-figure wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"699\" class=\"vf-figure__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-11-25-at-16.30.39-1024x699.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-46507\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-11-25-at-16.30.39-1024x699.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-11-25-at-16.30.39-300x205.png 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-11-25-at-16.30.39-768x524.png 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-11-25-at-16.30.39-1536x1048.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-11-25-at-16.30.39.png 1676w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thank you to the Bodossaki Foundation for their generous support of the Kafatos Lectures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"vf-grid | vf-grid__col-4\"><div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<figure class=\"vf-figure wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"706\" class=\"vf-figure__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Bodossaki-Foundation-EN-logo-RGB-3-1024x706.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23404\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Bodossaki-Foundation-EN-logo-RGB-3-1024x706.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Bodossaki-Foundation-EN-logo-RGB-3-300x207.png 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Bodossaki-Foundation-EN-logo-RGB-3-768x530.png 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Bodossaki-Foundation-EN-logo-RGB-3.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thank you to the following 2026 Kafatos Lectures partners\/co-organisers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"vf-grid | vf-grid__col-3\"><div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<figure class=\"vf-figure wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" class=\"vf-figure__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/BioCos-IMBB-FORTH-300x300-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11208\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/BioCos-IMBB-FORTH-300x300-1.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/BioCos-IMBB-FORTH-300x300-1-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Thank you to the Bodossaki Foundation for their generous support of the Kafatos Lectures. Thank you to the following 2026 Kafatos Lectures partners\/co-organisers:<\/p>\n","protected":false},"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","embl_taxonomy":[],"class_list":["post-46503","vf_event","type-vf_event","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"embl_taxonomy_terms":[],"vf_event_start_date":{"value":"20261009","formatted":"9 October 2026"},"vf_event_end_date":{"value":"","formatted":""},"vf_event_submission_opening":{"value":"","formatted":""},"vf_event_submission_closing":{"value":"","formatted":""},"vf_event_registration_opening":{"value":"","formatted":""},"vf_event_registration_closing":{"value":"","formatted":""},"vf_event_summary":{"value":"","formatted":""},"vf_event_additional_info":{"value":null,"formatted":null},"vf_event_registration_fee":{"value":null,"formatted":null},"vf_event_canceled":{"value":"no","formatted":"no"},"vf_event_venue":{"value":"IMBB-FoRTH (Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology), Heraklion, Crete, Greece","formatted":"IMBB-FoRTH (Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology), Heraklion, Crete, Greece"},"vf_event_unique_identifier":{"value":"","formatted":""},"vf_event_event_type":{"value":"conference","formatted":{"value":"conference","label":"Conference"}},"vf_event_more_information_link":{"value":"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/2026-embl-kafatos-lecture-with-svante-paabo-registration-1975590053030","formatted":"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/2026-embl-kafatos-lecture-with-svante-paabo-registration-1975590053030"},"vf_event_registration_link":{"value":"","formatted":""},"vf_event_start_time":{"value":"18:00:00","formatted":"18:00"},"vf_event_end_time":{"value":"20:00:00","formatted":"20:00"},"vf_event_location":{"value":["98"],"formatted":["Other"]},"vf_event_time_zone":{"value":"europe\/london","formatted":"Europe\/London"},"vf_event_ss_subtype":{"value":null,"formatted":null},"vf_event_embo_subtype":{"value":"","formatted":""},"vf_event_featured":{"value":"0","formatted":false},"vf_event_organisers_listing":{"value":"EMBL Alumni Relations","formatted":"EMBL Alumni Relations"},"vf_event_displayed":{"value":"Public Event","formatted":"Public Event"},"vf_event_subjects_training":{"value":[],"formatted":[]},"vf_event_registration_closing_on-site":{"value":"20261009","formatted":"9 Oct 2026"},"vf_event_registration_link_on-site":{"value":"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/2026-embl-kafatos-lecture-with-svante-paabo-registration-1975590053030","formatted":"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/2026-embl-kafatos-lecture-with-svante-paabo-registration-1975590053030"},"vf_event_other_location":{"value":"Hybrid","formatted":"Hybrid"},"vf_event_qrcode":{"value":"","formatted":false},"vf_event_custom_overview":{"value":"","formatted":""},"vf_event_hashtag":{"value":"","formatted":""},"vf_event_logo":{"value":"46511","formatted":{"ID":46511,"id":46511,"title":"EMBL-Alumni-Recognition_KL_Visual-tag_500px-1","filename":"EMBL-Alumni-Recognition_KL_Visual-tag_500px-1.png","filesize":33334,"url":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/EMBL-Alumni-Recognition_KL_Visual-tag_500px-1.png","link":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/events\/2026-kafatos-lecture\/embl-alumni-recognition_kl_visual-tag_500px-1-2\/","alt":"","author":"6","description":"","caption":"","name":"embl-alumni-recognition_kl_visual-tag_500px-1-2","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":46503,"date":"2025-11-25 15:39:15","modified":"2025-11-25 15:39:15","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/png","type":"image","subtype":"png","icon":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":500,"height":500,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/EMBL-Alumni-Recognition_KL_Visual-tag_500px-1-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/EMBL-Alumni-Recognition_KL_Visual-tag_500px-1-300x300.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/EMBL-Alumni-Recognition_KL_Visual-tag_500px-1.png","medium_large-width":500,"medium_large-height":500,"large":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/EMBL-Alumni-Recognition_KL_Visual-tag_500px-1.png","large-width":500,"large-height":500,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/EMBL-Alumni-Recognition_KL_Visual-tag_500px-1.png","1536x1536-width":500,"1536x1536-height":500,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/EMBL-Alumni-Recognition_KL_Visual-tag_500px-1.png","2048x2048-width":500,"2048x2048-height":500,"vf-hero":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/EMBL-Alumni-Recognition_KL_Visual-tag_500px-1.png","vf-hero-width":500,"vf-hero-height":500}}},"vf_event_hero":{"value":"35697","formatted":{"ID":35697,"id":35697,"title":"20220914_Kafatos_Lecture_EventBanners_EMBL","filename":"20220914_Kafatos_Lecture_EventBanners_EMBL-scaled.jpg","filesize":151385,"url":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/20220914_Kafatos_Lecture_EventBanners_EMBL-scaled.jpg","link":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/events\/2024-kafatos-lecture\/20220914_kafatos_lecture_eventbanners_embl-2\/","alt":"","author":"6","description":"","caption":"","name":"20220914_kafatos_lecture_eventbanners_embl-2","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":35687,"date":"2024-07-23 07:54:50","modified":"2024-07-23 07:54:50","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":2560,"height":853,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/20220914_Kafatos_Lecture_EventBanners_EMBL-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/20220914_Kafatos_Lecture_EventBanners_EMBL-300x100.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":100,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/20220914_Kafatos_Lecture_EventBanners_EMBL-768x256.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":256,"large":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/20220914_Kafatos_Lecture_EventBanners_EMBL-1024x341.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":341,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/20220914_Kafatos_Lecture_EventBanners_EMBL-1536x512.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":512,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/20220914_Kafatos_Lecture_EventBanners_EMBL-2048x683.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":683,"vf-hero":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/20220914_Kafatos_Lecture_EventBanners_EMBL-1224x348.jpg","vf-hero-width":1224,"vf-hero-height":348}}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/vf_events\/46503","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/vf_events"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/vf_event"}],"version-history":[{"count":41,"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/vf_events\/46503\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":54063,"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/vf_events\/46503\/revisions\/54063"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46503"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"embl_taxonomy","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/embl_taxonomy?post=46503"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}