Train the trainer
Train the trainer
03 September 2025, 9h00-17h00
04 September 2025, 9h00-17h00
General context
This training equips early-career educators and researchers — particularly those in bioinformatics and life sciences — with essential skills to design and deliver practical, engaging training sessions.
Aimed at first-time trainers, postdocs, and academic staff involved in teaching, the course introduces
- evidence-based learning principles and
- practical strategies for planning, facilitating, and evaluating training.
Participants will explore how to foster learner engagement, structure content for clarity, and provide meaningful feedback.
Rooted in the ELIXIR-GOBLET Train-the-Trainer framework, the course also addresses common challenges in academic teaching environments, offering real-world examples and peer discussion. While developed for bioinformatics, the training is broadly applicable across disciplines in higher education.
At the end of the course, the participants are expected to:
- List and describe key features of learning principles
- Discuss the impact of learning about learning principles as a trainer
- Define and write learning outcomes for a training session
- Draft a training syllabus and lesson plan
- Describe at least three training techniques drawing on learning principles
- List, based on the training plan, what types of material are needed for each part of a training session
- Develop assessment questionnaires
Trainers or anyone interested in teaching.
Trainers
Bruna Piereck
Bruna Piereck is a bioinformatics trainer at VIB and ELIXIR-BE training coordinator deputy. She obtained a Master and PhD degree in Molecular Genetics, with a focus on Bioinformatics from the Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil, in 2019. During her PhD, she had the chance to collaborate with the university of Luxembourg and the McGill university in Quebec Canada for a short time. Ever since she has been involved with teaching and research and Since March 2022, she joined VIB with the mission of teaching and assist other trainers in a variety of topics.
Alexander Botzki
Alexander Botzki at the Flemish Institute of Biotechnology, Belgium has with his group the mission of providing technology training in domains of VIB Technologies, Bioinformatics & AI, Software Development, and Research Data Management. Between 2014 and 2022, he was head of the VIB Bioinformatics Core. From September 2009 to July 2014, he was responsible for the roll-out of E-Notebook (electronic lab notebook) to VIB's researchers within 75 research groups.
Before joining VIB, Alexander worked on various computational biology projects for Algonomics (bought by Lonza, 2008-2009) and DevGen (now Syngenta, from 2006-2008). During Alexander's PostDoc at Sanofi Aventis in Strasbourg, he executed various virtual screening campaigns on the compound selection of the merged enterprise. He received his doctoral degree with the group of Prof. Dr. Armin Buschauer (University of Regensburg, Germany) on 'Structure-based design of hyaluronidase inhibitors'.
Program
Principles of learning and how they apply to training and teaching
Lunch (provided)
Design and plan: session, course, materials
Training activities to enhance learner participation and engagement
Lunch (provided)
Assessment and feedback in training and teaching
Practical info
03 September 2025 - 04 September 2025
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
Technologiepark 75
9052 Zwijnaarde
Belgium
03 September 2025 - 04 September 2025
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
From Ghent Sint-Pieters station, you can take a bus to Technologiepark. Please check Routeplanner De Lijn for schedules.
03 September 2025 - 04 September 2025
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
Looking for a custom cycling route? Try the online cycling route planner to easily and quickly identify the fastest, safest and/or most scenic route to any destination in Ghent.
Cycling route planner
Shared bicycles:
Several providers are active in the area.
Take a look at their platforms:
- Indigo Weel Pro app
- Bluebike
- DOTT
- BOLT eBikes
- Donkey Republic
There are also some public bicycle pumps at the park.
03 September 2025 - 04 September 2025
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
There is only one entrance to Technologiepark. At the entrance, please take a ticket - Parking is only allowed in regular parking spots (for instance in front of the building) and in the parking tower. Parking alongside the roads or in other places where there is no regular parking is prohibited.