Overview
The Young EMERG 2025 Symposium for Promoting the Advancement of Research Knowledge in ME (SPARK ME), is another a unique gathering tailored for young and early career researchers, and medical students, passionate about advancing research in ME and post-viral illnesses.
This event is being planned for 26 - 27 May 2025 at the prestigious Wellcome Genome Campus near Cambridge, UK.
SPARK ME is a hybrid event organised by Young EMERG and UK charity Invest in ME Research.
SPARK ME aims to facilitate collaboration, knowledge exchange, and networking among early career researchers in the field of ME.
The event offers a safe space for early career researchers to discuss challenges and gain valuable insights into pursuing ME research.
Through engaging talks, participants will be equipped with knowledge of postdoctoral research funding opportunities, career development and ME/CFS study design and much more!At SPARK ME, early career researchers have the opportunity to showcase their work through oral and poster presentations.
Programme
The workshop will take place from 13:00 - 17:00 on Monday 26 May
and from 09:00 until 17:00 on Tuesday 27 May.
Please note - the schedule is subject to change
Latest programme is also in this pdf
Day 1 - 26th May 2025
Session Presenter(s) Young EMERG Welcome talk Rik Haagmans Workshop chair:
Quadram Institute, UKIntroductions and discussion of objectives Introductions and discussion of objectives
Workshop Delegates IntroductionsNetworking session – International research landscape -
Individual presentations from ECRsRik Haagmans Workshop chair:
Quadram Institute, UKKeynote speech: RECOVER initiative Vicky Whittemore
National Institues of Health, USANeglected cohorts of ME/CFS Patients in Research Kristian Sommerfelt
University of Bergen, Norway / EMERGUsing multiomics and network biology to incorporate disease heterogeneity in research Dezco Modos
Imperial College London, UKSummary Chaired discussion
Day 2 - 27th May 2025
Session Presenter(s) Young EMERG Welcome talk Rik Haagmans Workshop chair:
Quadram Institute, UKMarie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Thomas Vyzikas
European Research CouncilSetting up a ME/CFS doctoral network Elisa Oltra Catholic University of Valencia, Spain
EMERG <Academy of Medical Sciences Grants and Programmes Lauren Kinnaird and Rory Adair
Academy of Medical Sciences , UKThe Genetic Landscape of ME/CFS: What we Know and What Lies Ahead Matthias Wielscher,
MedUni Vienna, AustriaPatient and Public Involvement and Engagement Gemma Beasy and Ruth Ajayi
UKEarly career researcher presentations Rik Haagmans chairing Various presentations from N. America, Europe and Australia
Poster session Poster session Laboratory rotations ME/CFS Research Exchanges: Co-Design Workshop Benjamin Missbach,
WWTFSummary Chaired discussion
Registration
Register for the Young EMERG conference using the link below. This is a ticket-only event.
The workshop, arranged and funded by UK charity Invest in ME Research UK, is free for approved registrants, though you will need to cover the cost of any arranged post-workshop evening meals.
Eligibility for registration requires current enrolment as a master’s, PhD or medical student, or post-doc, along with affiliation to a recognised research institute, university or hospital.
Unsure if you are eligible? Contact us to enquire using the link below.
In person registration deadline: cob 30 April 2025.
Virtual attendance registration deadline: cob 10 May 2025.
Registration for Young EMERG SPARK ME 2025 has been closed
Contact us if you need to discuss - here
Otherwise join us for the 2026 event 25-26 May 2026
Abstract Submission for Oral/Poster Presentations
We strongly encourage all registered attendees to submit an abstract outlining their current research into ME, or related illnesses. Sharing your work through oral and poster presentations is an excellent way to showcase your research. We believe that fostering mutual understanding of each other's research is crucial for strengthening the growing community of ME early career researchers.
Abstract deadline: 15 April 2025.
Guidelines on abstract submission can be found in the link below.
Venue
The conference will take place on the Wellcome Genome Campus at Hinxton Hall, between London and Cambridge.
Hinxton Hall Conference Centre is located on the Wellcome Genome Campus, alongside research institutions that are at the forefront of the genomics revolution. Hinxton Hall Conference Centre blends stunning contemporary architecture with state-of-the-art facilities, alongside a Grade II* listed country house, all set within a beautiful, rural 100 acre estate bordering the River Cam.
This location is near to Cambridge as well as a short drive from London Stansted airport.
There is also a direct link to London Stansted from central London.
This venue offers a number of advantages for assisting in our objectives of building collaboration and expanding knowledge.Past Workshops
Past early career researcher workshops have been hosted in both the UK and US, by Invest in ME Research and NIH, respectively.
Past workshops can be viewed via the link below.
Sponsorship
Young EMERG offers hope for building the future for research into myalgic encephalomyelitis.
The Young EMERG ECR events are arranged and funded by UK Charity Invest in ME Research, a founder member of the European ME Alliance, as part of their strategy to energise research into ME by building European networks for researchers, clinicians, patient groups and, now, early career researchers.
Support for this strategy is welcome and by sponsoring the workshop you will be providing encouragement for new researchers to enter the field and more awareness and knowledge of ME to be propagated.
The workshop initiates the International ME Conference Week Contact us if interested in becoming a sponsor of the Young EMERG SPARK ME workshop and wish to discuss the opportunities.
International ME Conference Week 2025
The International ME conference Week events have been arranged for 26 - 30 May 2025.
For more information visit https://www.investinme.org/meconferenceweek2025
COVID Policy
One of the reasons that we have again chosen this venue for our research and conference events was to allow more space within the conference venue.