18.11.2024 On November 8, 2024, ICTER hosted its International Scientific Committee (ISC) meeting at its Warsaw headquarters. Chaired by Prof. Olaf Strauss from Charité from Universitätsmedizin Berlin, the meeting convened ISC members whose strategic insights support the shaping of ICTER’s research directions. Attendees included Deputy Chair Prof. Francesca Fanelli (Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia), Prof. Arie Lev Gruzman (Bar-Ilan University), Prof. Karl-Wilhelm Koch (Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg), Prof. Pablo Artal (Universidad de Murcia), Prof. James Bainbridge (UCL Institute of Ophthalmology), Prof. Majlinda Lako (Newcastle University), Dr. Georgios Skretas (BSRC Alexander Fleming), and Dr. Henri Leinonen (University of Eastern Finland), each bringing valuable expertise to guide ICTER’s research priorities. Prof. Maciej Wojtkowski, ICTER Chair, formally welcomed new ISC members with nominations for the 2024–2028 term.
The agenda covered key topics, with Managing Director Anna Pawlus outlining ICTER’s organizational structure and ISC responsibilities, followed by presentations on ICTER’s development as a centre of excellence under the Teaming for Excellence project by Prof. Christophe Gorecki and updates on ICTER’s new building at the Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences campus by its Director, Dr. hab. Adam Kubas. Next, Dr. Anna Przybyło-Józefowicz, Deputy Chair for International Cooperation, highlighted upcoming events and conferences in 2025, including the 25th Anniversary of the SdOCT technology, and the CRATER 2.0 edition.
Throughout the day, an observer from the Foundation for Polish Science, Dr. Anna Skarżyńska, was present, ensuring a transparent and collaborative approach.
The second stage of recruitment for the Group Leader position within the Integrated Structural Biology (ISB) Group took place in the afternoon, with ISC members conducting in-depth candidate interviews. Following these evaluations, Prof. Strauss presented the committee’s recommendations, providing ICTER with essential guidance on the selection of new leadership for this pivotal research area. Next, ISC members expressed their opinion on ICTER’s latest grant, evaluating its alignment with the research agenda.
After concluding remarks, ISC members toured ICTER’s laboratories, guided by Group Leaders and researchers: Katarzyna Komar, Stefania Robakiewicz, Natalia Ochocka, Lidia Wolińska-Nizioł, Anna Posłuszny, Jadwiga Milkiewicz, Anna Galińska, Karolina Saran, Milena Gumkowska, Bartłomiej Bałamut, Piotr Kasprzycki, Adam Kurek, Piotr Nalewajko, Tomasz Gawroński and Krzysztof Gromada. The tour provided ISC members with an in-depth look at ongoing projects and advancements within ICTER’s facilities. The hands-on engagement allowed the committee to directly observe the innovative work driving ICTER’s impact on eye research, vision sciences and ophthalmology.
Photos: Patricio Espinoza and Anna Pawlus.
