Dear Colleagues,
Curiosity is a key driving force for young scientists like you as you advance in your career. To support you on this journey, MedUni Vienna organizes the YSA PhD Symposium. This special event provides excellent opportunities for scientific discussions and the development of essential career skills.
The PhD Symposium is a great chance for doctoral students to present their progress to a broader audience. Driven by curiosity, this event fosters a supportive environment where students can receive valuable feedback - not only from experienced scientists but also from fellow researchers. This exchange enriches their work, inspires new ideas, and helps them make an even greater impact.
We are excited to have you join us at the YSA PhD Symposium!
Markus Müller
Rector of the Medical University of Vienna
Dear Colleagues,
It is my personal pleasure and a privilege to be able to welcome all of you at the 20th PhD Symposium at the Medical University Vienna. Last year we were celebrating the 20th birthday of our university, and this year we are grateful and proud to be able to host number 20 within this series of symposia. Once again, this year’s meeting is organized by the Young Scientist Association (YSA) of our university and maintains the high standards of previous meetings. We are particularly honoured and grateful to have such expert keynote speakers from around the world at this 20th YSA symposium.
The aim of the PhD Symposium is to provide an opportunity for our doctoral students to present their thesis work not only to their supervisors and thesis committee members, but also in front of other academic colleagues. By doing so, our young colleagues can get feedback on their research from leading scientists of the Medical University Vienna and from fellow students. Hopefully, this will help our doctoral candidates to further increase the impact of their thesis projects. Moreover, the Symposium offers an opportunity to meet doctoral students from other thematic programs, to learn about their work, and to discuss various aspects of a doctoral student’s daily life with people having an unrelated scientific background.
I would like to thank all authors for their participation and contribution to the high level of research data that are going to be presented within the next two days. I also wish to extend special thanks to the YSA board for organizing once again this exciting symposium, to the keynote speakers for sharing their expertise, and to all sponsoring companies for their support.
I hope all of you will enjoy the PhD Symposium from both, a scientific and a social point of view. Accordingly, I wish all of you two days full of new insights, success, and pleasure!
Stefan Boehm
Director of the Doctoral School of the Medical University of Vienna
Dear participants, dear PhD students,
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the 20th YSA PhD Symposium at the Medical University of Vienna. This milestone event underlines our strong commitment to promoting scientific excellence and collaboration among our young researchers.
Over the years, the YSA PhD Symposium has evolved into a dynamic platform that brings together PhD students from over 20 different programs. It offers you a unique opportunity to present your research, engage in stimulating discussions and build networks that will support your future career.
I would like to sincerely thank the Young Scientist Association and the organizing committee for their dedication in preparing this symposium. Their efforts have been instrumental in creating a great academic and social event. A warm welcome and special thanks to all the national and international speakers who will share their ideas and insights with us, and to all the participants who will take the opportunity to listen, learn, and connect.
I encourage all attendees to actively participate in the sessions, challenge ideas, and embrace the spirit of collaboration that defines our scientific community. Together, we can advance medical science and make meaningful contributions to society.
Wishing you a successful and inspiring symposium and all the best for your academic journey.
Best regards,
Michaela Fritz
Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation at the Medical University of Vienna
Dear PhD Students
The Medical University Vienna wants to be the place where doctoral students will develop into young scientists who are fascinated by science and find attractive opportunities to start successful careers in science. The YSA Symposium 2025 with its exciting scientific program is a great place to meet and discuss, to learn and exchange experiences and ideas. The annual symposium became an important part of the PhD experience and curriculum. The number of young researchers in our Doctoral Programs is promising, promising for a future of scientific development and evolution, young researchers being deeply engaged to improve population health and welfare.
The 1500 doctoral students at the Medical University Vienna, 40% of them coming from abroad, will find a broad and inspiring scientific and learning environment, not only new buildings but great research opportunities. Our efforts in innovating our Doctorate Programs has led to the implementation of a very successful PhD Recruitment Process, the Physicians Researcher Pathway Scholarships we provide every year for selected doctoral students working as fulltime physicians, the MDPhD Program for medical students since 2009 and the upcoming ambitious new MDPhD Study Program.
Lucy Taylor, a PhD student wrote in "Nature" (2018), "Enjoy your PhD! It can be tough, and there will be days when you wish you had a 'normal' job, but PhDs are full of wonderful experiences and give you the opportunity to work on something that fascinates you". and to close with the Nobel laureate Kalin Kariko' in "Nobel Conversations" (2023) who said, "Getting grants and support, you have to work for it..but I loved to write grants..every time I learned so much, I had to read, read and learn".
We wish a successful YSA Symposium 2025
Anita Rieder
Vice Rector for Education at the Medical University of Vienna