Successful IRTG2251 Annual Retreat in London strengthens International transCampus Partnership

Last week, from September 19th to 20th, 2024, the International Research Training Group (IRTG2251) held its highly anticipated annual retreat at the Science Gallery in London, UK. This event, crucial for the ongoing research and development of IRTG students, brought together participants from both Dresden and London, fostering fruitful exchanges in a collaborative atmosphere. 

The retreat, focused on student research and career progression, provided an excellent platform for PhD and MD students to present their projects. They received valuable feedback from both principal investigators (PIs) and peers, enhancing their work and sparking new ideas. The event also gave students the opportunity to network with industry members and startup representatives, encouraging discussions on future collaborations and strategic directions.

A key highlight of the retreat was the keynote speech by Prof. Elisabeth Zeisberg from Göttingen, who shared her remarkable journey in academia and her experiences founding a start-up. Additionally, the retreat welcomed Prof. Taninee Sahakitrungruang from Bangkok and Chiara Hill-Harding from Glasgow, who shared the latest developments in their respective research fields. Their presentations offered new perspectives on various scientific disciplines and were followed by lively and engaging discussions, further enriching the scientific atmosphere.

The retreat also featured two student workshops, organized and chaired by four of the student representatives. The first, titled "Scientific Publishing – Expand Your Box," welcomed guest speaker Elena Bellafante (Deputy Editor of eClinicalMedicine-The Lancet Discovery) alongside Rocio Sancho (Reader in Stem Cell Biology & Group Leader at CGTRM - King's College London) and Nikolaos Perakakis (Professor of Metabolic and Vascular Medicine - TU Dresden & member of editorial board of BMC Endocrine Disorders). The session offered invaluable tips on navigating the challenges of getting published in high-impact journals. During an open and interactive round-table discussion, students asked questions, received expert advice, and gained valuable preparation for their own careers and the publication process.

The second workshop, "Career Development After PhD – Experience Exchange" fostered an exciting dialogue between early-stage PhD students and three IRTG2251 alumni. Alice Santambrogio (Scientist at Altos Labs, UK), Carolin Heller (Postdoctoral Researcher at TU Dresden), and Anna Strano (IRTG2251 Start-up Scholarship Holder at TU Dresden) shared their career journeys, discussing the challenges and opportunities they encountered when transitioning from academia to industry and postdoctoral roles. They provided practical advice for students approaching the end of their PhD studies.

In conjunction with the retreat, the International transCampus Roadshow, held on September 18th, 2024, focused on groundbreaking therapeutic strategies in areas such as Apheresis, Ageing Research, and Cell & Gene Therapy. This added an extra dimension to the retreat, offering attendees insights into cutting-edge developments in these fields.

The retreat once again highlighted the importance of international collaboration in advancing scientific research and underscored the strong partnership between the research communities of Dresden and London. The event successfully strengthened the ties between both institutes, fostering further innovation and cooperation for the future.