CarrerasLeaders Postdoctoral Fellows Showcase Innovative Research at First Projects Evaluations

On November 26th, the CarrerasLeaders program held its inaugural project evaluation hybrid session, marking a significant milestone for its postdoctoral fellows.

The event was organized by the Program Management Office under the guidance of the IJC Career and Training Committee delegate and brought together fellows from both Call 1 and Call 2 of the program. Ten postdoctoral fellows, accompanied by their supervisors, attended the session, bringing the total number of attendees to 25. Among them were the Scientific Coordinator of the program, Dr. Marcus Buschbeck, and IJC Training Officer, Elisa Gartner.

This interactive session provided a platform for the fellows to present their cutting-edge research projects and exchange insights with their peers and supervisors. Discussions were lively, with engaging questions that deepened the exploration of the innovative approaches and ideas shared.

The projects presented reflect the diversity and depth of research within the CarrerasLeaders program. Topics ranged from uncovering the genetic and molecular basis of leukemia, to investigating how tumors interact with their environment, and developing new treatment strategies. Examples of the work showcased include:

• – Decoding the genetic alterations in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and understanding the role of mutations like those in the IKAROS protein.
• – Examining how lymphoma cells interact with their surrounding environment to design personalized therapies.
• – Identifying metabolites that suppress the immune system in leukemia and exploring their therapeutic potential.
• – Investigating the impact of aging endothelial cells on lymphoma relapse and uncovering the role of HPV in lymphoma pathogenesis.
• – Leveraging cutting-edge technologies like single-cell analysis, multi-omics, and deep learning to unravel complex cancer mechanisms and improve treatments.

The event highlighted the dedication of the CarrerasLeaders fellows, showcasing their contributions to advancing the understanding and treatment of hematological malignancies. The lively discussion and exchange of ideas also reinforced the program’s commitment to fostering collaborative and innovative science.

In the final part of the session, Elisa Gartner outlined the upcoming training activities planned for 2025, along with the individual career development sessions available to all IJC personnel.

This first evaluation session not only celebrated the fellows’ progress but also set the stage for continued success and impactful discoveries in their research journeys.