Newsletter
Dear MCAA members,
Spring always symbolises a new beginning. This year, the spring issue of the MCAA Newsletter has a special importance and many changes that the association has undergone and we are excited to share them with you.
As customary, the spring issue heralds the Annual Conference (AC) and General Assembly of the MCAA, an established event now recognized as a vital platform for science communication and diplomacy. This year, the AC took on added significance as it coincided with the commemoration of the MCAA's 10th anniversary. Over 2.5 days, participants engaged in a rich array of scientific sessions, captivating satellite events—including discussions on the future of MSCA in FP10 and supervision within MSCA—and explorations of MCAA projects like Citizen Science. For those unable to attend, a detailed recap of the conference highlights awaits in the third section of this newsletter.
As the Annual Conference unfolds, spring brings with it the excitement of the MCAA awards, offering a stage to commend members for their significant contributions to societal discourse, professional growth, volunteerism within the MCAA, innovation, and more. This year, a distinguished team of five former MSCA fellows has been lauded for their outstanding work, covering areas such as equality, the integration of digital health solutions for individuals with disabilities, technological advancements, and beyond. For deeper insights and inspiration, explore the Awards section of the newsletter.
Reflecting on my own journey as a former recipient of the MCAA Social award, I can attest to the profound honour of receiving such recognition and a bit of darinest it takes to apply for one. Therefore, in addition to celebrating our current award recipients, I encourage fellow members to consider applying for an award by the end of 2024. If you believe that you or a colleague within the MCAA community deserves acknowledgment, I urge you to step forward and apply—or motivate them to do so. Let's continue to celebrate excellence and commitment within our community.
Last but not least, this year marked biannial elections and rotation of the MCAA board, which took place during the GA. We're delighted to share the news of the successful election of eleven esteemed board members, with many stepping into their second term. The role of a board member demands a significant commitment of time and dedication, coupled with a clear vision for the term ahead. For a deeper understanding of the motivations driving our newly elected members and a peek into their objectives for the 2024-2026 term, we invite you to explore our "Meet the Board" articles.
On a more personal note, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Gian Maria Greco on his appointment as chair. Gian Maria's unwavering dedication to the MCAA community is truly admirable. His pivotal role in shaping the MCAA Newsletter into the vital communication platform it is today stands as a testament to his invaluable contributions. I wish Gian Maria and all our newly elected board members the very best as they embark on their journey towards achieving their goals.
In conclusion, the entire editorial team would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the 2022-2024 MCAA board for the exceptional collaboration we've shared over the past two years. It has been both an honour and a privilege to witness the transformative efforts that have led to the association's evolution towards financial independence from the EC. One of their notable achievements includes the establishment of the operational team, whose continued assistance we anticipate also in enhancing the communication. Their expertise has greatly facilitated the seamless production of quarterly newsletters, and we anticipate their continued assistance in enhancing communications within the MCAA as we strive to elevate our efforts to the next level.
On behalf of the entire MCAA community, we extend our sincerest thanks for your dedicated work!
Oleksandra (Sasha) Ivashchenko
Editor-in-chief of the MCAA Newsletter
newsletter.editor@mariecuriealumni.eu
@OleksandraIvas3