A 4-day Spring Academy was hosted by IPOPorto in Porto, April 2024.
One of the key educational initiatives within the PCM4EU project was the Spring Academy for Precision Medicine in Oncology, a four-day intensive training program designed for young oncologists, pathologists, biologists, and other early-career professionals interested in the field of personalized cancer medicine. The PCM4EU Spring Academy took place in the beautiful city of Porto, Portugal, from April 3-6, 2024, and was hosted by IPO Porto, the Portuguese Institute of Oncology. This 4-day course brought together 26 young professionals from 15 consortium countries, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange in the field of personalized cancer medicine.
EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION OF EXPERTS THROUGH EDUCATION
The event opened with a Precision Cancer Medicine Symposium, providing an insightful journey through the past, present, and future of personalized oncology. This session, which was open to the public both in-person and via video streaming, featured distinguished experts presenting cutting-edge research and advancements, followed by an engaging panel discussion.
The Spring Academy agenda included a mix of theoretical lectures, case studies, and practical exercises, ensuring that participants gained both conceptual knowledge and hands-on experience in personalized cancer medicine, with a particular focus on the successful implementation of DRUP-like clinical trials (DLCTs). The main themes of the training included:
- Designing clinical trial protocols for drug repurposing
- Integrating clinical decision support systems (CDSS) into MTBs
- Ensuring long-term sustainability of DLCTs - navigating multi-stakeholder ecosystems & utilizing health system readiness frameworks
NETWORKING AND EXPERIENCE SHARING
Beyond the structured sessions, the Spring Academy provided an invaluable platform for young investigators to connect with leading PCM experts, and fellow participants from different European institutions. Interactive workshops allowed attendees to collaborate on real-world challenges, develop multi-stakeholder strategies, and refine clinical trial methodologies.
Participants also had the chance to enjoy Porto’s rich culture, with social events including a memorable networking dinner at The Yeatman, offering breathtaking views of Porto’s historic center, and a relaxing boat tour along the Douro River.
By training the next generation of specialists, the PCM4EU consortium ensures that cutting-edge research and innovative clinical trial methodologies continue to evolve and benefit cancer patients across different healthcare systems.
In the photo gallery below some snap shots from this eventful week are available. Photos were taken by the IPO Porto team as well as by several consortium members.
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