Attending the Candida and Candidiasis 2025 Conference: A Transformative
Opportunity Enabled by the IFS Ken Haynes Travel Grant
As a final-year Ph.D. student specialising in the biology of Candida species and their
responses to antifungal treatment, I have come to recognise the immense value of scientific
exchange and collaboration. My doctoral research focuses on antifungal drug tolerance, a
phenomenon distinct from classical drug resistance and still poorly understood, particularly in
Candida glabrata, a species associated with increasing clinical severity and high mortality
rates. Working in such a niche yet globally relevant area has highlighted significant gaps in
knowledge and methodology, making international platforms for discussion essential for
early-career researchers like myself.
The Candida and Candidiasis 2025 conference, organised by the Microbiology Society and
held in Berlin, was the ideal forum to bridge these gaps. As one of the world’s most respected
meetings dedicated exclusively to Candida research, the conference brings together leading
experts exploring diverse aspects of Candida biology, epidemiology, drug resistance, and
therapeutic innovation. With conferences of this calibre held only once every two years, and
with my Ph.D. nearing completion this year’s meeting was a rare and crucial opportunity for
me to present my work before graduation.
I was deeply honoured to receive the Ken Haynes Travel Award from the Irish Fungal
Society (IFS), which made my attendance possible. This support allowed me not only to
participate, but also to present both an elevator talk and a poster, an opportunity I consider a
major milestone in my scientific journey. Sharing my research on the emerging field of
antifungal drug tolerance helped bring attention to an area still in need of greater exploration,
particularly outside the well-studied Candida albicans model. The feedback I received from
experts sparked valuable discussions, offering new perspectives that will strengthen the final
stages of my Ph.D.
Equally enriching was the opportunity to attend talks and workshops showcasing cutting-
edge methodologies, ranging from advanced genetic tools to innovative antifungal screening
approaches. Exposure to such diverse techniques broadened my understanding of
experimental strategies and provided insights into methods I hope to integrate into my future
work. For a researcher working in an area with limited established protocols and fewer
available resources, this experience was profoundly valuable.
One of the most meaningful aspects of the conference was the chance to connect with
scientists whose work has directly influenced my own. Speaking with renowned researchers
such as Dr. Judith Berman, being one of the very few researchers focussing specifically on
my research domain as well as Dr. Rebecca Shapiro was both inspiring and motivating. Their
willingness to share their experiences and advice reaffirmed my passion for pursuing a future
in fungal pathogenesis research. Additionally, the networking opportunities allowed me to
discuss potential collaborations and explore possible postdoctoral pathways, an important
step as I prepare to transition to the next stage of my career.
Attending the Candida and Candidiasis 2025 conference was much more than just an
academic event for me. It genuinely broadened my perspective, boosted my confidence as a
young researcher, and helped me connect with a global community of scientists working to
tackle fungal diseases.
I am truly grateful to the selection committee members of IFS for awarding me this
prestigious Travel Award. Their support made it possible for me to attend and present at such
an important conference, an opportunity I would not have had otherwise. This experience has
added real value to my Ph.D. journey and will continue to guide and motivate me as I work to
better understand fungal drug tolerance and pathogenicity.
Pictures :
1. Presenting my Poster at the Conference
2. Made meaningful connections within the cohort ( Location : Estrel Convention Centre,
Berlin)