The ISME Early Career Scientist Committee (ECSC) delivered a range of activities at ISME Regional Meetings to support, connect, and empower early career researchers in microbial ecology worldwide.
In 2025, four ISME regional meetings were held worldwide: ISME-Lat (Mexico), the MikroBioKosmos Society and The Central and East Europe Symposium of Microbial Ecology (CEESME, Greece), the joint Chinese Association for Microbial Ecology (CAMA) and ISME-Asia forum (China), and ISME-Africa (Morocco). The ISME Early Career Scientists Committee (ECSC) directly contributed to each of these meetings by organising mentoring and networking events, panel discussions, pre-conference webinars, and special sessions focused on oral and poster presentations from early career scientists (ECS). Thanks to support from ISME, each conference was attended by a representative of ISME ECSC, who could help facilitate these activities in person.
ISME-Lat in Mexico
ECSC organised an ECS panel collaboratively with the conference attendees, ensuring community-driven discussion topics. This panel, featuring five senior scientists, addressed funding and career transitions, work–life balance, and international collaboration (33 participants). Additionally, ECSC organised a mentorship recognition system (mentor/ECS badges) to facilitate networking and supported the selection of 18 travel grant recipients (MSc, PhD, and postdoctoral fellows) from across Latin America, ensuring equitable gender and geographic representation.
MikroBioKosmos Society and CEESME – Greece
ECSC organised a mentoring and networking lunch (53 participants; 16 mentors, 37 mentees from 18 countries). Discussions focused on career planning, publishing, grant writing, networking, and work–life balance. Post-event evaluations indicated high satisfaction (average 4.0/5), with participants valuing the inclusive and open environment that encouraged discussion and exchange between mentors and mentees.
CAME and ISME-Asia forum – China
ECSC organised two special sessions: (1) an ECS Research Session showcasing 100 oral and 80 poster presentations across four major research themes, with Excellence Awards presented to outstanding oral and poster presentations; and (2) an ISME session highlighting ISME ambassadors and ECS travel grant recipients. During this session, the ISME ECSC was further introduced, highlighting the activities and resources it provides to support and represent early-career members globally.
ISME-Africa – Morocco
ECSC delivered a two-hour workshop called “Pathways & Connections,” which was attended by 60 participants. The program included a structured career panel (four senior scientists), Q&A, and networking lunch. Discussions covered career decision-making, skill development, resilience, mentorship, and professional growth. The workshop was recognised as a high-impact activity that strengthened the microbial ecology community.
Across all four regional meetings, ECSC activities enhanced ECS visibility, engagement, and professional development. Mentoring events, panel discussions, and research-focused sessions strengthened networking, inclusivity, and leadership development within the microbial ecology community. These successful initiatives provide a strong foundation for continuing and expanding ECS initiatives in upcoming ISME regional meetings.