Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences
This year’s IMG PhD Conference took place outside the institute’s premises, bringing students and speakers together in the countryside setting of Vysočina. The new location not only hosted a rich scientific programme but also created a unique space for interaction, collaboration, and playful community-building.
For the first time, the 18th IMG PhD Conference was held off the grounds of the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IMG), taking place on 19-20 September 2025 at Chata Doubravka in Chotěboř. The change of venue offered a refreshing setting for this annual gathering – nestled in the countryside rather than the usual institutional environment. The retreat-style location provided ample opportunity for participants to step away from the daily lab routine, each other’s distractions, and immerse themselves in both scientific exchange and collegial bonding. Throughout the conference, participants took part in a secret socializing game, designed to help everyone get to know each other better in a playful way.
The scientific programme was rich and varied, with a mixture of short talks, posters, flash-talks, and keynote lectures. The first invited speaker, Dr. Nathalie Jurisch-Yaksi, works on neurodevelopment, imaging, and advocates for open science. Nathalie’s interactive presentation on the FAIR data principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) showed students how to properly manage the increasing amount of scientific data. The second speaker, Silvia Jamrichová from ISTA, studies synaptic transmission and plasticity. Silvia broadly discussed her scientific journey, encouraging students to follow their desires. She also openly spoke about the pros and cons of her PhD life.
PhD students also had a central role: brief presentations ranging from one to fifteen minutes, poster sessions, and informal discussions allowed a wide range of ongoing projects to be shared, critiqued, and celebrated. At the end of the meeting, the best student talks and posters were formally recognized with awards, celebrating both scientific quality and presentation skills. This combination of rigorous research exchange, interactive learning, and informal bonding activities made the 18th IMG PhD Conference a milestone event – one that may inspire a lasting tradition of holding future conferences in similarly engaging environments.
We are very grateful to all our sponsors who made this gathering possible!
