Sinead Merrigan
National University of Ireland, Ireland

https://doi.org/10.36866/pn.95.21

1 March 2014,
Trinity College Biomedical Science Institute, Ireland

The ethos behind the symposium was to create an environment where young researchers could come together to share their work and connect with fellow scientists.

This year’s committee (pictured) was formed in May 2013 and consists of students from seven different Irish colleges. Our efforts were well rewarded when we welcomed more than 150 young life scientists from around Ireland for the symposium. Over the course of the day parallel oral sessions covering various themes, workshops, keynote talks and poster sessions were held.

Inspiring words spoken by our keynote speakers left a tangible buzz in the lecture theatre. Kingston Mills talked in depth and with incredible passion about his work on immunotherapeutics and recent advances in this area. Moreover, Sir Stephen O’ Rahilly gave an entertaining yet incredibly inspiring talk on his research in the areas of genetics and obesity (pictured top right).

In the aftermath of the conference, the committee is proud of their success in creating an environment where young researchers could share their knowledge and create bridges for collaboration. Not only was the turnout overwhelming, the standard of oral presentations and posters was a testament to our young researcher’s capabilities, leaving no doubt that research in Ireland is thriving.

The committee would like to take this opportunity to thank all sponsors and supporters. We would especially like to thank our delegates who certainly were the most important element of the symposium.