A Scientific Gathering in Athens: Research, Careers, and Good Food - a blogpost by ESR14 David Sotillo Núñez

Attending a scientific conference in Athens as an Early Stage Researcher was a fantastic mix of learning, networking, and enjoying the city. The event brought together experts and young scientists working on allostery—a key concept in understanding how proteins change shape and regulate biological processes, with big implications for drug discovery.

The first day was all about progress. All 14 ESRs presented updates on their projects, and it was rewarding to see three years of work coming together with strong results.

On the second day, the focus shifted from science to careers. We had a workshop on applying for jobs in the industry, covering everything from CV tips to what hiring managers really look for. A roundtable discussion with professionals who’ve worked in both academia and industry was particularly insightful—hearing their perspectives made me think more carefully about my own career path.

The next three days were packed with scientific talks, split into sessions on understanding allostery, finding allosteric drug targets, and studying how proteins respond to these subtle molecular changes. For many of us, this was our first time presenting at a major conference, and speaking in front of experts was both nerve-wracking and exciting. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, but the discussions afterwards made it worth it. The poster session that followed the third day’s talks gave me the chance to discuss my research with other scientists in the field, exchanging ideas and getting useful feedback.

Of course, it wasn’t all work. Evenings were spent exploring Athens—good food, great conversations, and a bit of sightseeing. From lively tavernas to strolls through the city’s historic streets, those moments were just as valuable as the science.
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Looking back, the conference was more than just presentations and networking—it was a chance to grow, make connections, and even have some fun along the way. And if future scientific events are anything like this one, I’ll be happy to attend more.