Highlights from InnoCAR-T Annual Meeting in Barcelona, Spain

The InnoCAR-T Annual Meeting, held on December 1, 2023, in Barcelona and hosted by the FCRB partner, marked the first gathering of beneficiaries and Doctoral candidates. The primary objectives were to foster connections among the DCs and supervisory teams while updating project partners on progress across various DC projects and work packages.

In his opening address, InnoCAR-T coordinator Prof. Edwin Bremer extended a warm welcome not only to project partners and PhD students but also to members of the External Advisory Committee, Dr. Manfred Konrad and Prof. Africa Gonzales, who provided valuable feedback on the project's advancement.

Following this, DCs had the opportunity to present their projects to the consortium, with some students already reporting initial research. The partners confirmed plans for conference presentations and publications in the upcoming year. The latter part of the meeting focused on the DC Assembly Meeting, addressing the specific interests and needs of the DCs. Aysenur Oner was elected as the student representative in the project’s Supervisory Board, facilitating continuous communication between the two bodies. Subsequently, students participated in their first training event, the CAR design conducted by partner FCRB.

Simultaneously, the Supervisory Board, comprising beneficiaries and external advisors, convened. The Management Team provided an overview of milestones achieved and outlined management-related activities planned for 2024. Discussions included the training and meeting plan for the upcoming year, as well as communication and dissemination activities, with a notable mention of the InnoCAR-T Summer School as a major milestone.

Looking ahead, the consortium and students eagerly anticipate progressing with the project in 2024 and anticipate reconnecting during the next training activities and meetings.