A COLOTAN week in Parma, Italy!
The 4th COLOTAN Network-wide event was held in Parma, Italy during the week of 23rd January, 2023. During the first two days, the 13 Early-Stage Researchers (ESRs) followed several dedicated trainings. Sessions were provided on in vitro and in vivo models of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), and pathophysiology of IBD. To enhance their soft skills, the ESRs followed sessions on project management, intellectual property rights, exploitation, and communication.
The ESRs also provided a 15-minute overview on their project progress. They had the opportunity to discuss their ideas, receive helpful input from the supervisors, industrial partners as well as their fellow ESRs. Being at month 25 of the COLOTAN project, most ESRs are now working between one to two years on their topics. The ESRs are also actively communicating their research at various conferences, Summits, and summer schools, and broadcasting their COLOTAN work on social media or through outreach activities (for example Science nights, MedCup).
The week was capped off on Friday with an informative and dynamic symposium organised by COLOTAN consortium member University of Parma on GUT DISORDERS AND POSSIBLE IMPACT ON COLONIC DRUG TARGETING where eminent speakers addressed different aspects of the topic and where PhD students enthusiastically discussed their displayed posters to the interested delegates.
The team took advantage of being in Parma and had the best Parma ham and Parmigiano cheese throughout the week 😋 Touring the city with a guide was the highlight of this trip!
