The first junior European Calcium Society meeting: calcium research across scales, Kingdoms and countries

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Physiology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• The European Calcium Society (ECS) junior section organized an online meeting on October 20-21, 2020.
• The primary goal was to support and promote junior researchers within the calcium (Ca2+) scientific community.

Framework:

• The meeting featured four scientific sessions focusing on Ca2+ research.
• Topics spanned from molecular mechanisms to whole-organism physiology.
• Each session included an invited speaker and three speakers chosen from submitted abstracts.

Implementation:

• The event actively involved early-career researchers in the Ca2+ field.
• It showcased a wide range of Ca2+ research, emphasizing diversity.
• Research presented covered various scales, from molecular to organismal levels.
• The speaker panel reflected diversity in career stages and geographical origins.

Implications:

• The meeting underscored the broad scope and interconnectedness of Ca2+ physiology.
• It provided a platform for junior scientists to present their work and network.
• The event highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in Ca2+ research.