ECCO – A new initiative to support early-career researchers in the complement field. (January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Poppelaars, Felix; Gaya da Costa, Mariana; Inkeri Lokki, A.; Mallah, Khalil; Nord, Dianna; Reddaway, Jack; Schäfer, Nicole
• Is Part Of: Molecular immunology. Volume 141(2022)
• Page Start: 104
• Page End: 107
• Publication Date: 2022-01
• Subjects: COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 -- ECCO Early-Career Complementologists -- ECN European Complement Network -- ECRs Early Career Researchers -- EFIS European Federation of Immunological Societies -- ICS International Complement Society -- yEFIS The EFIS Young Immunologist Task Force; Complement -- Early-career researcher; Immunochemistry -- Periodicals; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Immunochemistry -- Periodicals; Allergy and Immunology -- Periodicals; Molecular Biology -- Periodicals; Immunochimie -- Périodiques; Biologie moléculaire -- Périodiques; Immunochemistry; Molecular biology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 571.96
• DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2021.11.018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0161-5890

Abstract

Highlights: Early-career researchers represent the transition phase between being a student and having a senior academic position. Early-career researchers are passionate and highly motivated to do research, but they are faced with significant challenges. The E arly- C areer Co mplementologists (ECCO) is a new initiative to support early-career researchers in the complement field. ECCO wants to give early-career researchers a voice and aims to support early-career researchers in the complement field. Abstract: Research on the complement system, like most areas of immunology, has seen tremendous progress over the last decades. Further advances in the complement field will rely on the next generation of scientific leaders, which are today's early-career researchers (ECRs). ECRs are emerging scientists who obtained their PhD degree within the past five years. They represent a distinct population within the scientific community, and accordingly have unique needs. Unfortunately, ECRs are faced with significant challenges that require customized solutions. The current paper provides a snapshot of the major obstacles ECRs face, such as an unhealthy work-life balance, lack of mentor and peer support, and uncertain career prospects. Efforts must consequently be taken to ensure stability and success of ECRs, not only to benefit these researchers in the early stages of their career, but the entire field of complement research. The E arly- C areer Co mplementologists (ECCO) was, therefore, launched as a new Task Force to support ECRs in the complement field. This new initiative aims to support and connect ECRs in the complement field worldwide. Furthermore, ECCO is supported by both the International Complement Society (ICS) and the European Complement Network (ECN); two professional societies led by scientists investigating the complement system.