On Monday 29th July, the JIC/TSL Annual Student Science Meeting (ASM) unfolded with a fresh energy, designed by students, for students. Hosted by the John Innes Centre (JIC) and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL) student voices, this event was a unique opportunity for students to display their innovative research in a relaxed and supportive environment. 

This year’s venue, the McClintock rooms at the JIC Conference Centre, set the tone for an informal gathering, free from the pressure of microphones and auditoriums. The goal? To foster an atmosphere where students could engage directly with their peers, sharing the excitement of their work. 

The spotlight shone on 12 brilliant young scientists who had earned the “Best Poster” award at last year’s main Annual Science Meeting. The lineup included: Aileen Magilin, Tom Lock, Sophie Carpenter, Stephanie Williams, Leah McPhillips, Max Jones, Mark Jave Bautista, Franziska Hoerbst, Kara Boyd, Brenda Mionki, Matthew Wengler, and Emma Turley. 

A Dynamic Range of Scientific Discoveries 

The event featured four sessions packed with diverse topics, split between the morning and afternoon. From the intricate dance of fungal effectors in plant-microbe interactions to the genetic mysteries behind plants’ responses to climate and disease, the talks covered a broad spectrum of scientific exploration. There were insights into RNA regulation during plant development, circadian rhythms in plants, and even a fascinating presentation on teff, an underutilized but promising crop. 

Beyond the Science: Career Insights and Networking 

This year, attendees also benefited from a career-focused talk by Jay Goldberg, a post-doctoral scientist in Saskia Hogenhout’s research group at the John Innes Centre. Jay offered invaluable advice on navigating the transition from PhD to postdoctoral life, with a reminder to reflect on personal goals and ambitions when considering careers in academia or industry. 

During coffee breaks, students had the chance to connect with key support groups from Norwich Biosciences institutes. Representatives from the Graduate School Office (GSO), Accessibility Associates (AA), and the LGBTQ+ network were on hand to discuss opportunities and resources available to students.  

There was also an important conversation led by the Responsible Research Committee and the academic lead for postgraduates, emphasizing the importance of conducting research with integrity and the support systems in place to help students succeed. 

Wrapping Up with Awards and Celebration 

The day wrapped up with a laid-back gathering at the Recreation Centre, complete with snacks, drinks, and pizza. The much-anticipated ‘Best Talk’ award went to Thomas Lock, selected by his fellow students.  

Looking ahead to October, Best Talk winner Thomas and Franziska Hoerbst will be featured as student speakers at the main science meeting, presenting on “Investigating the Genetic Basis of Resistance to Winter Warming in Oilseed Rape” and “What is a Differentially Expressed Gene?” respectively. 

A Round of Applause 

A big thank you to the organizing team, including Bernice Waweru, Bonnie Whatmough, Thomas Navarro, and Mairi Franklin, who chaired the sessions. Thank you to Aileen Magilin and Thomas Lock for capturing the event in photos, and to Gurpinder-Sidhu Sign for designing the event posters.  

Finally, the student voices would like to extend a special thanks to JIC and TSL for their continued support and funding.