My FEBS-IUBMB-ENABLE journey: From Europe to Singapore

In this post, we follow Mee Yee Goh’s journey with the FEBS-IUBMB-ENABLE Conference, starting from her experience attending the 2nd edition of the Conference in Cologne (Germany) in 2023, to her role as one of the organizers of the 3rd FEBS-IUBMB-ENABLE, held in Singapore in December 2024.
My FEBS-IUBMB-ENABLE journey: From Europe to Singapore
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The FEBS-IUBMB-ENABLE International Molecular Biosciences PhD and Postdoc Conference is a prestigious event that brings together early-career scientists to foster collaboration, networking, and professional development. As a member of both the Local and Scientific Organizing Committee (SOC) of FEBS-IUBMB-ENABLE 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to contribute to bringing the 3rd edition of the conference outside of Europe to the sunny island of Singapore.

Experiencing the 2nd FEBS-IUBMB-ENABLE Conference in Cologne

My journey first began with a trip to Cologne, Germany, where I attended the 2nd FEBS-IUBMB-ENABLE Conference, held at the University of Cologne in November 2023. It was my first time to Europe, and stepping into such an inclusive and forward-thinking international scientific event left a lasting impression on me.

What stood out to me was how different the FEBS-IUBMB-ENABLE Conference felt compared to other academic events I had attended. There was a deliberate focus on creating opportunities for young scientists to share their work, which encouraged the exchange of fresh ideas and fostered a welcoming environment for PhD students like myself, who are still finding their footing in research. Another unique aspect was the keynote speakers. Beyond presenting groundbreaking scientific findings, they openly shared their career journeys, offering inspiring insights into the challenges and milestones they encountered along the way. These stories motivated me to envision my own potential contributions to the betterment of science, despite being in the early stages of my career.

The conference also featured a Career Day, which was eye-opening. One particularly memorable session featured Dr. Ernesto Llamas, the creator of “Sketching Science”, alongside a consultant from Bayer Business Consulting (Dr. Joshua Kohl). Ernesto demonstrated how creativity and science can intersect to produce impactful visual communication, while Joshua shared insights into opportunities in consulting and industry, offering a glimpse of what’s possible after a PhD. Together, their stories expanded my understanding of the career possibilities available to researchers and inspired me to think beyond the traditional academic path.

Group photo of the FEBS-IUBMB-ENABLE conference participants in Cologne 2023
Group photo of the participants of the 2nd FEBS-IUBMB-ENABLE Conference, celebrated in Cologne in 2023. (Photo credit: Michael Wodak).

Meeting the Scientific Organizing Committee of FEBS-IUBMB-ENABLE 2024

A major highlight of my time in Cologne was meeting for the first time the Scientific Organizing Committee (SOC) of the 2024 Conference. It was exciting to finally put faces to the names I had been emailing for months as we worked to organize the conference in Singapore. Over several meetings during the event, we discussed the early plans and goals for our conference, brainstorming ideas to ensure it would be just as inspiring and impactful as the one in Cologne.

These meetings weren’t just about logistics—they were an opportunity to bond as a team. Sharing our experiences and laughter over meals helped lay the foundation for a collaborative and enjoyable working relationship that would carry us through the months of planning ahead.

Group photo of the Scientific Organising Committee (SOC) 2024 members in Cologne
Group photo of the Scientific Organizing Committee (SOC) 2024 members at the 2nd FEBS-IUBMB-ENABLE Conference in Cologne, Germany. (Photo credit: Jacobi Dieter – Jacobifoto)

In between the sessions and meetings, we managed to make time to explore Cologne. The city’s iconic landmarks, like the stunning Cologne Cathedral, were breathtaking. One of the most memorable moments was visiting the Christmas markets. Strolling through the festive stalls, sipping on hot mulled wine, and tasting local delicacies was the perfect way to unwind after a long day of conference activities.

SOC members enjoying a Christmas market in Cologne, Germany
SOC 2024 members enjoying one of the traditional Christmas markets in Cologne, Germany. (Photo credit: personal archive)

The kick-off meeting for the Glasgow conference

The next time the SOC 2024 had an in-person meeting was in May 2024, during the kick-off meeting celebrated in Glasgow, UK. This was a pivotal moment in our FEBS-IUBMB-ENABLE journey as it marked the beginning of planning for the 4th FEBS-IUBMB-ENABLE Conference, which will take place in Glasgow in September 2025. Discussions focused on fine-tuning the agenda, brainstorming ways to make the event impactful, and ensuring a seamless transition of knowledge to the incoming SOC 2025 team.

As we shared our experiences from organizing the Singapore conference, it was rewarding to reflect on the challenges we had overcome and the successes we had achieved over the past year. Collaborating with the Glasgow SOC team highlighted the importance of continuity and innovation in shaping the conference’s future. The exchange of ideas was energizing, and seeing their enthusiasm reassured me that the FEBS-IUBMB-ENABLE legacy would continue to inspire.

Beyond the meetings, there was time to further bond with the team over the city’s rich history and culture. Exploring Glasgow's vibrant streets and iconic landmarks added a sense of camaraderie, reminding me that these experiences were as much about personal growth as they were about professional achievement.

SOC 2024 members during the kick-off meeting in Glasgow, UK
SOC 2024 members during the kick-off meeting in Glasgow, UK, held in May 2024. (Photo credit: personal archive)

Bringing the vision to life: the Singapore conference

The culmination of a year and a half of planning and collaboration came to life with the Singapore conference, namely the 3rd FEBS-IUBMB-ENABLE Conference celebrated at the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine – Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore) on 4–6 December 2024. Hosting this event was a moment of pride and achievement, as it showcased the collective effort of the local and scientific organising committees and our shared vision.

With more than 250 attendees from around the world, the conference offered a rich program of engaging talks, dynamic poster sessions, and meaningful networking opportunities. The feedback we received highlighted the event’s seamless organization and its welcoming, collaborative atmosphere together – enhanced by a touch of Singaporean hospitality with amazing catering.

Seeing everything come together ---the bustling conference venue, the engaged participants, and the vibrant discussions--- was both surreal and deeply rewarding. It was a testament to the hard work of the entire team and the spirit of the FEBS-IUBMB-ENABLE community.

Group photo of the participants of the 3rd FEBS-IUBMB-ENABLE Conference, celebrated in Singapore in 2024
Group photo of the participants of the 3rd FEBS-IUBMB-ENABLE Conference, celebrated in Singapore on 4–6 December 2024. (Photo credit: FEBS-IUBMB-ENABLE 2024)

The true meaning of team work

Last but definitely not least, I would like to acknowledge the team as this success was only possible due to the incredible efforts of the dedicated teams behind the Singapore conference:

  • Our amazing co-chairs: Dayang Asyiqin & Kaustuv Ghosh.
  • The Scientific Organising Committee (SOC 2024): Representatives from RadboudUMC (Femke van Hout, Andrea Rodgers Furones), IRB Barcelona (María Quintana Verdaguer, Kaustuv Ghosh), SEMM (Alessandro Davini, Francesco Vicini), CPR Copenhagen (Sidak Minocha), University of Cologne (Hoang Son Luu, Oliver Mehlkop) and The Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (Dr Alvin Chew).
  • The Local Organising Committee (LOC 2024): Members from NUS Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (Pei She Loh (Rachel), Grishma Rane, Vanja Cnops), A*STAR Postdoc and Early Career Scientist Society (Bing Shao Chia), LKC Early Researchers Network (Dr Alvin Ng, Dr Ashwati Vipin, Dr Arun Kumar Kaliya Perumal, Dayang Asyiqin, Dr Pritesh Jain, Smriti Ghildiyal) and LKC Graduate Student Club (Yi Rou Bah, Si Jia Tan).

It was a privilege to work alongside such a talented and dedicated team, united in upholding the FEBS-IUBMB-ENABLE mission of supporting young researchers and advancing innovation in biomedical science.

Group photo of the SOC and LOC members of FEBS-IUBMB-ENABLE 2024
Group photo of the SOC and LOC members of FEBS-IUBMB-ENABLE 2024 Conference. (Photo credit: FEBS-IUBMB-ENABLE 2024)

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