Throughout the summer, the Vienna-based SQUEEZE team at the Medical University of Vienna further strengthened the project’s visibility within the European and international scientific community through active participation in two major conferences: the 44th European Workshop for Rheumatology Research (EWRR) in Budapest and the 19th International Congress of Immunology (IUIS) in Vienna.
Both events provided excellent platforms to present SQUEEZE-related research, foster scientific exchange, and support the next generation of researchers.
EWRR 2025: Engaging with Europe’s Rheumatology Research Community
In May 2025, the Vienna team participated in the 44th European Workshop for Rheumatology Research (EWRR) in Budapest, Hungary. EWRR is widely recognised as Europe’s leading meeting for basic and translational research in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases, with a strong emphasis on early-career scientists and interactive scientific discussion.
The SQUEEZE project was well represented across different formats. SQUEEZE expert Mirjam Dellinger was selected to give an oral presentation, sharing her latest findings with the broader rheumatology research community. In addition, PhD students Laura Hermann, Lisabeth Emilius, Bianca Luckerbauer, and Marie Brinkmann contributed poster presentations during the guided poster tours, presenting work on advanced imaging-based ex vivo profiling approaches for patient stratification in rheumatoid arthritis.
The meeting offered valuable opportunities to engage with cutting-edge research, attend high-level keynote and state-of-the-art lectures, and exchange ideas with colleagues from across Europe. The strong participation of early-career researchers reflects SQUEEZE’s commitment to capacity building and scientific excellence.
IUIS 2025: Showcasing Immunology Research on a Global Stage
Later in the year, the Vienna team took part in the 19th International Congress of Immunology (IUIS 2025), hosted in August in Vienna. With approximately 4,500 participants from around the world, IUIS is one of the largest global gatherings in the field of immunology, bringing together fundamental, translational, and clinical research communities.
The SQUEEZE team had a strong presence throughout the congress. Mirjam Dellinger and Lisabeth Emilius delivered oral presentations, while Marie Brinkmann, Bianca Luckerbauer, and Teresa Preglej presented posters, highlighting innovative immunoprofiling approaches relevant to rheumatoid arthritis and aligned with SQUEEZE objectives. Hosting the international immunology community in Vienna also enabled intensive scientific exchange and the strengthening of existing and new collaborations.
Advancing SQUEEZE Through Scientific Exchange and Training
Participation in both EWRR and IUIS underlines the central role of the Vienna team in advancing the scientific ambitions of SQUEEZE. By contributing to leading rheumatology and immunology conferences, the team not only disseminates project results but also actively shapes discussions at the interface of basic science, translational research, and clinical application.
Equally important, these events provide valuable training and visibility opportunities for early-career researchers, supporting one of SQUEEZE’s core objectives: fostering sustainable research capacity and excellence across Europe. Through continued engagement at high-level scientific meetings, SQUEEZE ensures that its research remains embedded in, and informed by, the broader international research landscape.
