From 11–12 September 2024, the ASPIS Open Symposium (OS) 2024 brought together scientists, regulators, and industry experts in Copenhagen, Denmark, to discuss the latest advancements in New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for chemical safety assessment. As a key event of the ASPIS Cluster, the symposium provided a platform for cutting-edge research, cross-sector collaboration, and knowledge exchange.
The ASPIS Academy, the dedicated network for Early-Stage Researchers (ESRs) within ASPIS, played a crucial role in this year’s symposium by organising engaging activities aimed at fostering scientific exchange, career development, and community building among young researchers.
Activities at ASPIS OS 2024
One of the key highlights of Academy activities was the poster session and wine reception, where ESRs had the opportunity to present their research in a relaxed, interactive setting. With a glass of wine in hand, participants engaged in lively discussions with ASPIS partners and external guests attending the symposium. The session offered an excellent opportunity for early-career researchers to receive feedback, exchange ideas, and establish valuable professional connections.
To further highlight the ASPIS Academy’s mission and achievements, Melina Steinbach delivered a presentation detailing the Academy’s activities in 2024. This talk provided an overview of how the Academy supports ESRs, from organising training sessions to fostering a strong community of young scientists working on NAMs.
Melina emphasized: “It was a pleasure to share the ASPIS Academy’s achievements and future plans—not just with ESRs, but with the entire ASPIS cluster network. The engaging discussion and valuable feedback we received made it a constructive exchange and gave us motivation for our further work“.
Young chairs from ONTOX, Eliska Kuchovska (IUF – Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine) and Luiz Ladeira (University of Liège), expressed their satisfaction with the event:
“The ASPIS Academy extends heartfelt thanks to Helena Kandarova and the ESTIV board for allowing us to organise our session at the ESTIV Congress in Prague. We were thrilled to introduce ASPIS Academy activities and showcase three outstanding presentations by our PhD students. This event provided a fantastic opportunity for some of our early-stage researchers to deliver their first presentations at an international conference,” commented Eliska Kuchovska, ASPIS Academy Chair.
Luiz Ladeira added: “ESTIV has always been a favourite among early-stage researchers in toxicology because it offers a platform where they feel heard and supported. We are grateful for this nurturing environment and look forward to future collaborations.”
One of the highlights of the event was the networking and sightseeing tour through Copenhagen, which combined historical insights with fun anecdotes about the city. The tour concluded with a pub quiz in a local bar, where ESRs had the chance to test their knowledge in a relaxed and social atmosphere. We especially thank Julen and Anouk for making this tour so enjoyable, and Altertox for sponsoring this activity, which helped us create an engaging and memorable experience for all participants.
“Networking activities at ASPIS Academy are always a must-attend and ensure a great time for everyone, including the organisers! The relaxed and lively atmosphere brings out the best in everyone. This year, Copenhagen provided the perfect setup, and thanks to everyone’s enthusiasm, it turned out to be an unforgettable experience,” said Julen.
A major highlight of the symposium was the training session, “How to Transform Your Research into a Spin-Off Business,” held on September 12 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. This event featured three inspiring speakers—Kristina Bartmann (DNTOX), Bas Ter Braak (Toxys), and Luisa Orsini (EnVision & Daphne Water Solutions)—who shared their experiences in launching successful businesses based on scientific research. The session provided valuable insights into entrepreneurship in the NAMs field, equipping ESRs with knowledge about commercialising their innovations.
Following the ASPIS OS, we conducted exclusive interviews with two of the speakers, which can now be found on our website:
🔹 Kristina Bartmann Interview
🔹 Luisa Orsini Interview
Amy, participant at the training, remarked: “Researchers, especially PhD students like me, are very focused on their projects and do not have much time to invest in out-of-the-box thinking. Putting myself in the skin and mindset of entrepreneurs motivated me to seek the industrial application of my work, and helped me understand how I can expand my (somewhat crazy) ideas out of academia”.
Beyond the planned sessions, ASPIS Academy members spent time networking, supporting each other, and simply enjoying the experience of being together in Copenhagen. The symposium was not just about scientific discussions but also about building a strong, collaborative community among early-stage researchers.
“I am incredibly proud of what we, the early-stage researchers of the ASPIS Academy, have managed to organise. It is inspiring to see how much we can achieve when given the space to take the lead. I truly appreciate that the ASPIS project coordinators trust us with the autonomy to function as a separate working group, driven by and for ESRs. It was also a great experience to participate in the Chair’s Meeting alongside the leaders of the other ASPIS working groups, where I could gain insight into the broader ASPIS planning and see how our work aligns with the overall goals of the cluster,“ said Eliska.
🎥 Check out the ASPIS Working Group series videos filmed at ASPIS OS 2024 in Copenhagen:
Meet the ASPIS Academy Organisers
This year’s ASPIS OS was made possible thanks to the dedication of the ASPIS Academy core group, with key organisers including Eliška Kuchovská (ASPIS Academy Chair at the time of the symposium), Julen Sanz Serrano (current Chair), Melina Steinbach (current Vice-Chair), and active members Luiz Ladeira, Eike Collen, Peter Pobis, Shaleen Glasgow, Barira Islam, Ruben Martinez, Rita Ortega Valbona, and many others.
ASPIS Academy is proud to have contributed to the ASPIS OS 2024, and we look forward to continuing our mission of supporting ESRs, fostering scientific exchange, and creating more exciting opportunities in the future. Upcoming highlights include the ASPIS Academy Summer School in Valencia and ASPIS OS 2025 in Athens. We are already planning a dedicated session for early-stage researchers at ASPIS OS 2025, featuring not only a poster session but also flash talk presentations, complete with a competition for the best talk and poster. Stay tuned for more details—we can’t wait to see you there!
