The INtegrating Magnetic Resonance SPectroscopy and Multimodal Imaging for Research and Education in MEDicine (INSPiRE-MED) mid-term meeting took place at EPFL from September 13-15, 2021.

The objective of INSPiRE-MED was to provide high-level training to a cohort of Early Stage Researchers in medical imaging, particularly in medical molecular imaging by combining MRS(I) with PET. Since 2019, the programme has been providing fellows with scientific and transferable skills necessary for successful careers in medical imaging underpinning innovative technological development across a range of disciplines.

The EPFL organisers of the 2021 annual INSPiRE-MED meeting, Dr. Cristina Cudalbu, Jessie Mosso and Dunja Simicic, welcomed the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Early Stage Researchers, the Principle Investigators and experts of the consortium who joined from France, Belgium, Germany, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Spain, Czech Republic and Switzerland for a three day full program of fruitful scientific exchanges.

“It was a pleasure having all INSPiRE-MED ESRs on site and finally meeting them in person. The training network started in 2019 but due to the pandemic situation we only saw each other by video conferences. The Principal Investigators and the experts of the consortium were also present, the scientific exchange was great and covered a lot of aspects for current and future collaborations and workshops. Having everyone on site, listening to ESRs presentations and exchanging with them was great” said Dr. Cristina Cudalbu, Research Staff Scientist, CIBM MRI EPFL Animal Imaging and Technology Section.

“This meeting was a great opportunity, both professionally and personally, to meet the other Early Stage Researchers (ESR) and principal investigators from the project, with whom we have been working remotely since the beginning of the COVID period.” said Jessie Mosso, Doctoral Assistant , CIBM MRI EPFL Animal Imaging and Technology Section.

“We are looking forward to the next meeting to share the advancements on our respective work, get trained on new topics related to the INSPiRE-MED project, foster collaborations and re-create the friendly atmosphere that was present during the meeting in Lausanne.” said Dunja Simicic, Doctoral Assistant , CIBM MRI EPFL Animal Imaging and Technology Section.

The meeting concluded with two social activities for the PhD students: A guided tour of Lausanne and a hike to the Rochers-de-Naye.

You will find further information about INSPiRE-MED here.