Published: 22 Aug 2024
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By Elif Alan Albayrak
I had the privilege of attending the 9th European Congress of Pharmacology (EPHAR2024), held in Athens, Greece, on June 23-26, 2024, organized by the Federation of European Pharmacological Societies. My participation was supported by the Early Career Researcher (ECR) Travel Bursary of the British Pharmacological Society (BPS).
Applying for this bursary was straightforward; I discovered it through a BPS email, filled out the form, and submitted it via email. After providing proof of my expenses for accommodation, travel, and registration, the reimbursement process was quite smooth. I encourage all early career researchers to explore the bursary opportunities offered by BPS to attend such inspiring congresses and expand their networks.
EPHAR2024 was horizon-expanding, providing a platform for groundbreaking research, networking opportunities with leading experts, and discussions that fostered collaboration and innovation. The congress featured a rich scientific program with 9 keynote speakers, 16 oral presentations, and 313 poster presentations, covering my research areas such as erectile function/dysfunction and gasotransmitters.
With my supervisor, Prof. Ulf Simonsen, in front of our poster
I presented my PhD. thesis, conducted at the Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, and the Department of Pharmacology, Ege University, as a poster presentation. Gonen Ozsarlak-Sozer and Gulcan Demir, from my department, presented our projects, and the feedback we received was invaluable for further improving our work. A highlight for me was attending the session titled "Erectile Dysfunction: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies: State of the Art," organized by the Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology Journal. This session, chaired by my thesis supervisor Ulf Simonsen and Francisco Pérez Vizcaíno, included presentations by esteemed researchers such as Roberta d’Emmanuele di Villa Bianca, whose work on H2S and erectile function. I also had the chance to meet Raffaella Sorrentino, another pioneer in this field, and discuss our projects with researchers from their groups.
Researchers from the Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ege University (from left to right: Dr. Elif Alan Albayrak, Gulcan Demir, Assoc. Prof. Gonen Ozsarlak-Sozer, Dr. Emine Nur Ozbek, Elmasnur Yılmaz)
Another captivating talk was delivered by Csaba Szabo on "The Expanding Universe of Gasotransmitters: Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Pharmacological Applications," where cyanide was introduced as the fourth gasotransmitter. This presentation sparked new research ideas that I discussed with my supervisor. The "Career Paths in Pharmacology" session by the EPHAR Early Career Researcher Group was particularly inspiring for young researchers. I also explored new research avenues in the "Alpha-Synuclein in Parkinson’s Disease and Disease-Modifying Strategies for Non-Motor Symptoms" session, organized by the Turkish Pharmacological Society. I had the opportunity to listen to Borna Relja, who offered valuable insights into inflammation, and meet her after the presentation. This opened the door to future collaborative projects on respiratory inflammation with their research group.
Exploring the Acropolis of Athens: (from left to right: Dr. Emine Nur Ozbek, Oguz Atalay, Dr. Gokay Albayrak, Dr. Elif Alan Albayrak, Beste Yurdacan Yasar)
Beyond the academic enrichment, attending EPHAR2024 also allowed me to explore the rich historical heritage of Athens. Visiting the Acropolis and numerous museums, and enjoying the city's exquisite seafood, added a memorable cultural dimension to this experience.
With Mariam Chahid, BPS Sponsorship and Partnerships Manager, at the BPS booth
I extend my gratitude to EPHAR President Andreas Papapetropoulos and the organizing committee. Special thanks to the BPS for their support and to my supervisors, Gulnur Sevin and Ulf Simonsen, for enabling my participation. This congress significantly contributed to my academic and personal development, and I look forward to applying the knowledge gained to my future research.
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