Just returned from ten intense and inspiring days in Portugal, first at the Workshop On the Neurobiology of EPilepsy (WONOEP) in Cascais, then at the International Epilepsy Congress 2025 in Lisbon.

At WONOEP, the big theme this year was the resilient brain and the idea of degeneracy, that means, how multiple pathways can serve similar functions, and what that means for understanding brain function and disease. It sparked many fascinating discussions (five days, 24/7) about how these concepts might change the way we think about epilepsy and beyond. I like that kind of deep exchange you can only get in a workshop setting. 

Then straight to Lisbon and into the Congress: ~5,000 people, a much bigger stage, less sciency, but full of the latest clinical advances, what is needed for patients, and what knowledge gaps remain. Also kick-off for the next round of the ILAE Mentoring Program and Leadership Training.

What really stayed with me was being right in the middle of the most exciting conversations, hearing about the new hot topics, tons of inspiration, how the brain swirls with new ideas, and of course, the fun of meeting friends and colleagues from all over the world.

I’m taking all that energy and inspiration back home with me. Another reminder of why I do this work, and how much stronger we are as a community.