ISRV’s commitment to supporting the next generation of respiratory virus researchers was on full display at Options XIII in Washington, DC, with a packed programme of education, networking and career-development activities bringing Early Career Researchers (ECRs) together throughout the meeting.
A packed Mini-School to kick things off
The week began with the ISRV Options Mini-School on Saturday 29 August, welcoming more than 100 ECRs for a full day of learning ahead of the main Options program.
Designed to establish a strong foundation for the science they would encounter over the following days, the Mini-School brought together leading experts from across the respiratory virus community for sessions spanning disease impact and One Health, SARS-CoV-2 and RSV, immunity, antivirals and next-generation vaccines.
The response from participants was fantastic, with 94% rating their Mini-School experience 4 or 5 out of 5. Students particularly valued the chance to broaden their knowledge beyond their own area of research, discover new topics and head into Options feeling better prepared for the scientific program ahead. For many, the Mini-School was a chance to step outside their own specialism, see how their work fits into the wider respiratory virus landscape and start the conference with new knowledge, confidence and connections.
Maria Zambon at the Options Mini-School
From Mini-School to networking – and the microphone!
The end of the Mini-School didn’t mean the end of the day’s activities.
ISRV welcomed former School participants to an ECR Alumni Networking reception, bringing together alumni from previous ISRV Schools of Respiratory Viruses over drinks and nibbles. It was an opportunity to reconnect with old friends, make new connections and strengthen the international network that begins at an ISRV School.
The evening then continued with a special live recording of the This Week in Virology (TWiV) podcast, giving attendees the opportunity to hear experts discuss the latest in virology and experience the popular podcast in person.
It made for a memorable end to a day spanning science, career development, networking and plenty of conversation.
There was a special live recording of the This Week in Virology (TWiV) podcast
A first for ISRV: Conference Connections
On Sunday morning, we launched another new ECR initiative: Conference Connections.
For its first outing, the program matched 37 ECRs with senior researchers attending Options, creating an informal opportunity to meet over coffee during the conference.
The concept was deliberately simple: make an introduction, provide a time and place to meet, and let the conversation develop from there. There was no expectation of a formal or long-term mentoring relationship – just an opportunity for an ECR to connect with someone more established in the field, ask questions, exchange experiences and perhaps make a connection that could continue beyond Options.
And the connections weren’t limited to the allocated meeting time. Where participants weren’t able to find one another during the Sunday morning session, some arranged alternative times to catch up during the conference, while ECRs also connected with one another while waiting to meet their partners.
Informal feedback from both ECRs and senior researchers was extremely positive, providing plenty for us to build on as we look at future Conference Connections activities and the development of ISRV’s wider mentoring opportunities.
Science, pizza and new connections
Later that day, the focus shifted from the conference program to a more informal setting for the ISRV ECR Social Evening.
ECRs came together at BeerLab DC for an evening of pizza, drinks, a lively science-focused pub quiz and conversation, offering a chance to meet fellow researchers away from the busy scientific program. The event proved hugely popular and created space for new connections across countries, institutions and areas of research.
For many ECRs, particularly those attending a major international meeting for the first time, these informal opportunities to meet peers can be every bit as valuable as the scientific program, helping turn fellow conference delegates into an international network of colleagues and friends.
The ISRV ECR Social Evening was a great success
How do you get published?
We finished the week with another packed ECR activity: the “How to get published” lunchtime workshop on the final day of Options.
Over lunch, ECRs had the opportunity to hear practical advice and insights into the publishing process, ask questions and learn from experienced researchers and publishing experts.
The lively discussion – and excellent questions from participants – demonstrated just how valuable practical career-development opportunities like this are alongside scientific education.
ECRs had the opportunity to hear advice and insights on how to get published
More than a conference
Across Options XIII, ISRV’s ECR activities were designed around a simple principle: developing the next generation of respiratory virus researchers requires more than scientific knowledge alone.
From learning alongside more than 100 peers at the Mini-School and hearing the latest scientific discussions through TWiV, to reconnecting with School alumni, meeting a senior researcher through Conference Connections, making new friends over pizza and gaining practical advice about publishing, each activity offered another opportunity to learn, connect and develop.
Most importantly, they created opportunities for relationships to form across career stages, institutions, countries and research disciplines – connections that we hope will continue long after everyone has returned home.
A huge thank you to all of the faculty, speakers, mentors, volunteers and partners who gave their time and expertise throughout the week – and to the fantastic ECR community whose enthusiasm, curiosity and willingness to get involved made the program such a success.
We can’t wait to see where these connections lead next!
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