The WCCM–ECCOMAS 2026 Congress, held from 19 to 24 July 2026 in Munich, Germany, brought together researchers from around the world to present and discuss recent developments in computational mechanics and related fields. EBM contributed to the scientific program by organizing two minisymposia focusing on different aspects of brain biomechanics.
The first minisymposium, MS032 – Exploring Brain Mechanics, organized by S. Budday, G. Holzapfel, and P. Steinmann, brought together researchers working on experimental and computational approaches to understanding brain mechanics. The presentations covered a wide range of topics, including brain and spinal cord tissue characterization, cortical folding, brain development, and neurological disorders. The talks highlighted the important role of mechanics in understanding brain function and disease.
The second minisymposium, MS311 – Experimental and Numerical Approaches to Understanding the Vascularized Brain, organized by N. Reiter and Y. Verma, focused on the complex interactions between brain tissue and its vasculature. The presentations covered both experimental studies and computational modeling, addressing topics such as cerebral blood flow, vascular pressure, brain tissue mechanics, and brain injury. The session highlighted the importance of combining experimental and numerical methods.
Both minisymposia were a great success, with excellent presentations followed by lively discussions. They provided valuable opportunities to exchange ideas, share recent research, and connect with other researchers in the field. The contributions also reflected the many open questions that continue to drive research in this area. We sincerely thank the WCCM–ECCOMAS organizing committee, the minisymposium organizers, and all speakers for their valuable contributions to the success of both sessions.
