On March 11th 2026, FORTIFIEDx was represented at the Belgian preliminary round of the Falling Walls Lab, an event that brings researchers together to present their breakthrough ideas to a non-expert audience and jury.
Vedika Shrirang Choudhari from the Lammertyn lab of KU Leuven presented her PhD research with a three-minute pitch titled “Breaking the Wall of Laboratory-Dependent Disease Diagnostics.” She explained how she adapted the SIMPLE technology to enable the combined detection of HIV and syphilis directly at the point of care.
With around 100 attendees, the event provided an opportunity to showcase FORTIFIEDx research beyond the scientific community and highlight how rapid, dual-disease testing could help make diagnostics more accessible in settings with limited laboratory infrastructure.
Congratulations to Vedika on her excellent pitch and for representing FORTIFIEDx at this engaging event!