Overseas Case:Istituto Fondazione di Oncologia Molecolare ETS (Italy)

The headquarters of IFOM ETS in Italy
Image source: IFOM

Research at IFOM; in addition to sophisticated equipment and infrastructure, highly qualified staff support researchers in the preparation and storage of solutions, antibiotics, cell culture, and sterilization of any lab material.
Image source: IFOM

IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology (in Italian: IFOM - Istituto Fondazione di Oncologia Molecolare ETS) was established as the first Italian research institute focused on tumor development and formation. Over the years, the institute has expanded to cultivate a thriving international environment, with 26.5% of the staff comprising individuals from different countries around the world. The rich research atmosphere of the institute is complemented by the plethora of collaborative research projects that are undertaken here, with an aim to promote interdisciplinary research facilitated by advanced technology and infrastructure.

Primarily a research institution, IFOM has collaborated with several academic institutions to establish a fully funded PhD program where scholars pursue a research project at IFOM while attending courses at the partner academic institutions. The four institutions include the European School of Molecular Medicine (SEMM) (Milan, Italy); The Open University (Milton Keynes, UK); the University of Galway (Galway, Ireland); and the Pázmány Péter Catholic University (Budapest, Hungary). IFOM is actively working on these partnerships and administrative collaborations to sustain a wider variety of PhD programs. While some of these programs are based on broad themes, some cater to a very specific niche of research interests.

Through a partnership with The Open University, students affiliated to IFOM can access the Vitae Research Development Framework (RDF), which is an insightful tool that helps them track their research progress and make informed decisions regarding the next step in their research journey within the PhD program. While limited to PhD students at The Open University, the possible expansion of this facility and extension to postdoctoral researchers is on the horizon.

Dr. Cinzia Cancellieri delivers a talk on her work regarding human induced pluripotent stem cells. The IPA organizes several sessions where postdocs deliver short talks to their peers and discuss their research projects.
Image source: IPA

“The Postdoc Association is an essential organ to dynamically gather people of common interests within the postdoc/research life. It can be very useful in terms of education & networking, but also for creativity and motivation” reads a testimonial by Dr. Gema Malet Engra, a former member of the IPA Board.

The various events organized by the IPA center around fostering valuable connections with peers and learning from each other.

One of the popular events is Pizza Talk, wherein two postdocs are invited to present short talks, discussing their ongoing research projects or past work. The entire community is invited to participate in the discussion following the talks, explore links between their own research and that of the speakers, and socialize over pizza and drinks. The format of the event has been designed to maintain a casual ambience, such that new postdocs or PIs who have freshly joined the institute feel at ease.

While a vertical relationship may exist within research groups, with regular communication channels between the PIs, postdocs, senior PhDs students, and junior researchers of a particular lab, such events provide the community with a platform to expand their network horizontally as well. The ultimate goal is to help build meaningful collaborations through interaction between different research groups.

Scholars interacting with the speakers at a Science and Prosecco event.
Image source: IPA

Another event with a more formal format is Science and Prosecco, organized annually or biannually. Herein, the IPA works to set up interactive meetings with eminent researchers and notable personalities in international companies and prominent European organizations. The event helps senior researchers explore alternate career paths, highlighting how careers in the academic space or as a PI are not the only available options beyond a postdoctoral fellowship.

External speakers from diverse fields, such as science communicators, funding and grant managers, entrepreneurs, and industrialists, are invited for this event. This helps broaden the perspectives of the PhD students and postdocs regarding the career trajectories that are available to them. Sometimes, this event showcases the career trajectories of IPA alumni, who interact with the current cohort of scholars. This event is also used as a platform to introduce new PIs at IFOM.

Beyond these events, IPA Meets are also organized periodically. This is another networking initiative undertaken by the IPA, focused on providing postdocs meaningful interaction opportunities with leading scientists in academia and research. It involves seminars delivered by external speakers, including eminent researchers from related fields.

The IFOM welcome office provides 360° support to international scholars, and IFOM and the IPA have several programs for international students to promote an interest in research.
Image source: IFOM

The international associations that IFOM nurtures are multifaceted and focused on bringing together the shared experience and knowledge that individuals possess. IFOM also has several ties with Japanese universities, such as Kyoto University, Riken Yokohama, and the Institute of Quantitative Biology (IQB) at Tokyo University, where PhD students, Postdocs, and researchers from these institutes can visit and experience the labs and research conducted at IFOM for a short period. This is part of a bilateral visit agreement, where selected scholars from IFOM also get to explore and experience the research environment at the Japanese universities.

The invitation is also extended to undergraduate students and postdocs, who get to attend the various social events such as Science and Prosecco, interact with the resident scholars, and immerse themselves in the research environment at IFOM.

The cultural and social shift that people experience when opting for an international learning experience can be difficult to navigate for many. In order to assist international postdocs who move to Italy, the Welcome Office offers 360° support. It is entrusted with special responsibilities to help acclimatize international scholars as well as faculty to Italian culture.

A table-tennis competition organized by the IPA; one of several activities to help researchers socialize, communicate, and get to know each other.
Image source: IPA

Since the inception of the IPA, many of its alumni have gone on to lead successful and fulfilling careers around the globe. The former members credit the various events and talks organized by the IPA for inspiring their creativity, motivating them, and expanding their skillsets beyond their chosen fields of research.

Talking about the establishment of the IPA, Ms. Sumie mentions that while there was some skepticism and hesitation at the beginning, the researchers eventually realized the importance of having a forum where their voice could be heard and collaborated to form a space where they could better interact with peers outside laboratories. Establishment of organizations like the IPA may not happen overnight. The IPA itself was formed after two years of discussion! However, the resulting community that has grown is indispensable and has become an important pillar for researchers at IFOM.

Moreover, some members mention how planning and organizing the IPA activities also gave them first-hand experience in event organization, conducting courses, and project management. “During the time I spent in IPA, I've been able to expand my skillset, since I've been involved in scientific and social events organization, scientific courses, project management. These have been very educational activities, since I have had the opportunity to enrich and expand my professional background,” reads a testimonial by Dr. Umberto Restuccia, a former President of the IPA.