This year's Amsterdam institute for Infection and Immunity PhD Retreat occurred on the 5th and 6th of October at "De Heerlickheijd van Ermelo. The event featured an Olympic theme, aiming to encourage unity, dedication, and a healthy spirit of competition among the participants.
Two eventful days commenced with keynote speaker Dr. Joris Verster, a renowned researcher from Utrecht University, sharing insights on "immune fitness". Workshops and collaborative sessions formed the core of the retreat, enabling students to hone their research skills and explore interdisciplinary collaborations.
Workshops and Collaborative Sessions
The heart of the retreat consisted of various workshops and collaborative sessions designed to enhance the students' research skills and foster cross-disciplinary collaborations. Much like Olympic athletes honing their techniques, the PhD students engaged in activities that challenged their intellect and creativity.
Amidst the academic endeavors, attendees also enjoyed leisurely moments by the hotel's pool and strolls through the French gardens, fostering connections and informal discussions.
Uniting in the Olympic Spirit
The highlight of the retreat was the "Closing Ceremony" on the second day, featuring a motivational speech by former Olympic Judoka Edith Bosch. Edith's words resonated deeply with the audience, drawing parallels between her journey as an athlete and the academic pursuits of the PhD students. Her story of dedication, overcoming obstacles, and reaching for the highest goals was a fitting reminder that, like Olympians, these students have the potential to achieve greatness in their own academic arenas.
Inspired by the Olympic spirit, the retreat encouraged our future researchers to aim for excellence, support one another, and embrace the marathon-like nature of the PhD journey. The students left Ermelo with newfound motivation and the potential to make remarkable contributions to the world of research.
Looking for members
Did you enjoy the PhD retreat, and would you be interested in hosting an even better event next year? We loved organizing this retreat; the more committee members, the merrier. We all learned a lot about planning, problem-solving, teamwork and more without losing too much time to work on obtaining our PhDs. That is also why we are looking for new members! Want to join the committee? Please reach out to aii@amsterdamumc.nl.
Promote your recent publication
We would like to emphasize the opportunity for you to promote your recent publications or any work relevant to the wider public. If you believe your research deserves recognition, please use the form below and share it with aii@amsterdamumc.nl. We recommend initiating this process at the time of paper acceptance or when your proofs are available.
The AII PhD Committee: Tessa van Horrik, Agner Parra Sanchez, Brigitte-Carole Keumatio Doungtsop, Suzanne Kuijpers, Janani Sundaresan, Nika Ten, Aru Wang, and Rosalie Kempkes