My name is Ignazio Restivo, and I am a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Biological, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies at the University of Palermo (Sicily, Italy). I owe much of who I am today, both as a person and a researcher, to my home institution and the guidance of my mentors. My scientific journey began in late 2017 during my experimental thesis under the supervision of Prof. Luisa Tesoriere and Prof. Alessandro Attanzio. It was during this period that I was introduced to the study of eryptosis and nutritional biochemistry, focusing on the biochemical pathways underpinning the beneficial effects on human health of phytochemicals and functional foods. A pivotal moment came in October 2019. A few months after earning my Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, I ranked first in a competitive call, securing a three-year doctoral fellowship in Molecular and Biomolecular Sciences. This marked the formal beginning of my career in biochemistry.

My 37-month doctoral journey was far from conventional. My supervisors adopted an approach reminiscent of  George S. Patton’s philosophy: “Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do, and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.” This autonomy allowed me to manage my time independently and explore parallel lines of research alongside my primary doctoral project.

A serendipitous encounter with FEBS

My introduction to the FEBS community was purely coincidental, and I never imagined I would become a 'veteran' of FEBS events. In February 2022, during a six-month research stint at Prof. Antonio Cilla's lab at the University of Valencia, I stumbled across a LinkedIn post promoting the FEBS-IUBMB-PABMB Congress 2022 – The Biochemistry Global Summit in Lisbon.

Excitedly, I submitted an abstract based on my doctoral project. A few months later, I received an email from the congress committee notifying me that I had been awarded a travel grant and selected as an oral speaker. I was overjoyed. As a PhD student from southern Italy, the opportunity to present on such a prestigious platform felt surreal.

At the time, my experience in scientific communication was limited to a few local conferences organized by the Italian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SIB) – a FEBS Constituent Society. The 2022 FEBS Congress was a turning point for me. It underscored the importance of attending such events and networking with researchers worldwide. The congress was invaluable scientifically, but it also left a profound human impact on me.

Encouraged by the experience, I attended the inaugural FEBS-ENABLE-IUBMB Congress in Seville later that year and the next year I was selected again as a speaker at the FEBS Young Scientists’ Forum 2023 in Tours, France. By this point, I had developed a passion for scientific dissemination, which I began to pursue alongside my research activities.

Milestones and memories

Fast forward to 2024, I participated in the 48^th FEBS Congress in Milan, which felt like a 'home' event. As I write this, I am just returning from the third edition of the FEBS-ENABLE-IUBMB Congress held in Singapore from 4–6 December 2024. Presenting my work 11,000 km from home was an emotional and unforgettable experience—one of those memories that stay with you for life. It’s the kind of moment you frame and keep in your office to look at whenever you need motivation.

I am immensely grateful to FEBS for these opportunities. Without their support, such experiences would have been unattainable for me. These events, in my opinion, should be a staple for any young researcher embarking on a career in science.

A message for young scientists

To my fellow young biochemists, I urge you to take bold steps and seize opportunities, even when certain goals seem out of reach. Looking back just three years, these 'small milestones' I’ve achieved once felt entirely unattainable. The truth is, passion and hard work always pay off, sooner or later.

With the holiday season approaching, I plan to spend some free time exploring the FEBS website and planning which upcoming activities to join next. Wishing you all a joyous and peaceful holiday season—may it be a catalyst for starting the new year with renewed energy and enthusiasm!

All images by Ignazio Restivo.