On October 7- 9, 2025, the 9th International PhD Students Conference took place at the Nencki Institute. Once again, the event provided young scientists with a platform to present their research projects, improve their presentation and scientific communication skills, and expand their professional networks.

During three intensive days of the Conference, participants gave 20 long scientific presentations (“long talks”), 15 short presentations (“speed talks”) and presented the results of their research in the form of posters, which encouraged lively discussions and the establishment of cooperation.

The event was graced by lectures given by distinguished representatives of the scientific community.We had the pleasure of hosting:: Prof. Laurent Nguyen from GIGA Institute, University of Liège, Belgium, Dr. Jan Pawłowski representing  Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences & University of Geneva, Dr. Robert Prevedel and  Dr. Marie-Christin Spindler from  EMBL, Heidelberg, Germany and Prof. Joanna Sułkowska from University of Warsaw, Poland.

In keeping with tradition, the best scientific presentations given during the Conference were recognized. Congratulations to all the winners on their excellent presentations!

Winners in the “Long Talk” category:
1. Magdalena Wolska (Laboratory of Host-Microbiota Interactions, Nencki Institute)
2. Jess Bourn (Molecular Systems Biology Unit, EMBL Heidelberg)
3. Sumita Majhi (Laboratory of Cytoskeleton and Cilia Biology, Nencki Institute)

Winners in the “Short Talk” category:
1. Bartosz Kucharski (Dioscuri Center for Metabolic Diseases, Nencki Institute)
2. Cita Hanif Muflihah (Laboratory of Immunological Epigenetics, Nencki Institute)
3. Maria Sygidus (Laboratory of Brain Imaging, Nencki Institute)

Winners in the “Poster” category:
1. Magdalena Rutkowska (Laboratory of Neurobiology, Nencki Institute)
2. Olga Blauth (Laboratory of Neuromuscular Plasticity, Nencki Institute)
3. Magdalena Sobień (Laboratory of Neurobiology, Nencki Institute)

This year, a Scientific Photo Contest was held as part of the conference, in which the Main Prizes were won by Nupur Mahadeokar, Oksana Okhrymovych, Nataniel Stefanowski. Salman Ahmadi, Agata Jabłońska received Special Distinctions.

We would like to thank the lecturers, participants, evaluation committees, and volunteers for their contribution to the success of the Conference!

More information: https://phdconference.nencki.edu.pl/