EUTOPIA-SIF Monthly Fellow Seminar - Second March Seminar 2023

Within the framework of the EUTOPIA Science and Innovation Fellowship Programme, monthly fellows seminars will take place, in which the 35 researchers enrolled in the two cohorts will in turn present their research projects.

We are therefore delighted to invite you to the upcoming EUTOPIA-SIF Monthly Fellow Seminar, on Thursday 09 March 2023, 13:00-14:15 CET.

The seminar will be held on Zoom: https://cyu-fr.zoom.us/j/93189480027

Fore more information and testimonials from a few researchers from the Second Cohort of SIF Fellows, click here.

Event schedule: 

• 13:00-13:05: Introduction
   
• Cohort 1
• 13:05-13:15: Fellow Presentation: Eva Rodriguez Aznar (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)
  • Project Title: Neuronal SLIT-ROBO in Pancreatic cancer
  • Abstract: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most prevalent neoplasm of the pancreas, is one of the leading causes of cancer death mainly due to metastasis and frequent recurrence of the local pancreatic tumour, aggravated by resistance to therapy. My research aims to gain a deeper understanding of the biology of PDAC through the study of the SLIT-ROBO signalling pathway and its implication in tumour migration and vascularization, key processes that initiate metastatic spread.
• 13:15-13:25: Q&A
   
• 13:25-13:35: Fellow Presentation: Ross Jansen Van Vuuren (University of Ljubljana)
  • Project Title: Developing Recyclable Catalysts for the Preparation of Deuterated Organic Compounds
  • Abstract: Deuterium(D)-labelled organic compounds are used in pharmaceutical and analytical applications. The preparation of these compounds typically relies on the use of catalysts to avoid using harsh reagents and reaction conditions. The preparation of these catalysts typically uses a large amount of resources and involves lengthy procedures, while some catalysts contain precious metals such as iridium or palladium. Regrettably, these catalysts are commonly used in a linear 'make-use-dispose' approach as it is challenging to recover and reuse them. I will introduce work being done in our labs to design and prepare recyclable catalysts featuring reactive iridium-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes tethered to polymers.
• 13:35-13:45: Q&A
   
• Cohort 2
• 13:45-14:05: Fellow Presentation: Klajdi Toska (CY Cergy Paris Université)
  • Project Title: Fabric/Textile reinforced cementitious composites (at high temperatures)
  • Abstract: Cementitious composites are obtained by combining the properties of traditional cementitious material with that of more innovative ones such as carbon and glass fibers, UHSS, nylon, etc. Their  popularity has grown in the last years and they have become a common and effective technique to strengthen and repair existing structures. Such intervention represents a cost-effective alternative with respect to demolition and replacement, which is largely less sustainable from both environmental and financial points of view. Previous experimental research work, dealing with composites behavior and applications, and an overview of the research project regarding the effect of high temperatures, will be presented in the short seminar.
• 14:05-14:15: Q&A