2nd IMMERGE Wide Training Event & Midterm Review

immerge

Date: May 25th to 28th, 2025

Place: Heidelberg (Germany)

From May 25th to 28th, 2025, the IMMERGE MSCA Doctoral Network gathered in Heidelberg (Germany), for a key event combining the project’s Midterm Review and two intensive training workshops. The event was hosted by EMBL Heidelberg, bringing together Doctoral Candidates (DCs), and supervisors.

The meeting kicked off with the Epigenetics and Transcriptional Regulation Workshop, led by Judith Zaugg (UNIBAS). The sessions featured talks by experts, including José Luis Sardina (IJC), Arnaud Krebs (EMBL), Esteban Ballestar (IJC), Wolfgang Huber (EMBL), and Aryan Kamal (UNIBAS), and provided both theoretical insights and hands-on training in gene regulation, transcriptional control, and multivariate analysis. DCs also had the opportunity to tour EMBL’s research facilities and engage in discussions on cutting-edge bioinformatics and epigenetics.

On May 26th, the Midterm Review took place with the presence of the Project Officer (PO), who assessed the project’s progress, implementation, and training environment. The day included a tour de table of all scientists-in-charge, individual presentations by the DCs, and dedicated sessions between the PO, coordinators, and fellows. The review concluded with valuable feedback and a scientific session open to all participants

The final day of the event featured the Leadership and Management Workshop, designed to develop essential soft skills in leadership, communication, and conflict resolution, further supporting the professional growth of the IMMERGE DCs.

Throughout the four days, the event fostered scientific exchange, networking, and collaboration across institutions. A highlight was the network dinner held at the EMBL canteen, offering a relaxed moment to connect and reflect.

We thank all participants, speakers, and organizers for their contributions to a successful and motivating workshop!

Next stop: Milan, November 17–19, 2025, for our annual meeting featuring workshops on Gene Editing Technologies and Innovation, Transfer, and Entrepreneurship.