Introduction to InnoThyroGen at the European Researchers’ Night
On 26 September 2025, the European Researchers’ Night took place simultaneously across Europe, including events in Split (Croatia) and Belgrade (Serbia).
This large public outreach initiative brought science closer to society and encouraged dialogue between researchers and citizens.
Through active participation in both cities, InnoThyroGen successfully engaged the general public, students, healthcare professionals and potential stakeholders.
At the same time, the event highlighted the societal value of EU-funded research and personalised medicine.
European Researchers’ Night in Split: Presenting InnoThyroGen to the Public
At the European Researchers’ Night in Split, Dr. Nikolina Pleić presented the InnoThyroGen project to a diverse audience.
Participants included members of the general public, students, clinicians and other interested stakeholders.
Firstly, the presentation explained why personalised medicine is essential for improving the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases.
Dr. Pleić then introduced the project partners and described how the consortium was formed.
Importantly, she emphasised the project’s interdisciplinary nature, combining clinical endocrinology, molecular biology, data science and biotechnology.
In addition, the audience received a clear overview of the project’s main objectives and work packages.
Visitors also learned about current progress, completed activities and dissemination efforts carried out so far.
Engaging the Audience and Opening the Research Process in Split
Beyond scientific content, Dr. Pleić highlighted the educational and training opportunities offered by InnoThyroGen.
These included the project’s summer school and other activities designed for students, young researchers and clinicians.
Moreover, the presentation sparked a lively Q&A session.
Audience members asked about how the project was written, how consortia are built, and what support researchers receive when applying for EU funding.
Many visitors also wanted to know how they could personally participate.
As a result, Dr. Pleić explained opportunities for student involvement and the importance of patient participation in the InnoThyroGen biobank.
Overall, the Split event significantly increased public awareness and strengthened trust in scientific research.
European Researchers’ Night in Belgrade: Reaching All Generations
At the same time, the Group for Molecular Biomedicine participated in the European Researchers’ Night in Belgrade.
Their activities had a strong outreach impact and reached visitors of all age groups.
Adult visitors showed great interest in the InnoThyroGen project and its focus on personalised treatment of thyroid diseases.
Many of them were already aware that thyroid treatment is currently similar for all patients and often requires long adjustment periods.
Therefore, they were eager to learn how personalised medicine could improve outcomes and expressed interest in following InnoThyroGen’s future work.
Meanwhile, younger visitors learned about personalised medicine through interactive games and activities.
At the same time, parents and teachers discussed the project with researchers, further strengthening public engagement.
Impact of InnoThyroGen at the European Researchers’ Night
Participation in the European Researchers’ Night delivered strong results in both cities:
- Increased visibility of InnoThyroGen among the general public
- Effective communication of complex science in accessible language
- Strong engagement with students and early-career researchers
- New interest in training activities, including the InnoThyroGen summer school
- Greater awareness among patients about contributing to the project biobank
- Valuable feedback that supports future dissemination and stakeholder engagement
Consequently, InnoThyroGen at the European Researchers’ Night strengthened outreach, enhanced societal impact and supported long-term project sustainability.
Conclusion
The European Researchers’ Night in Split and Belgrade demonstrated the power of direct interaction between science and society.
By opening the research process and encouraging dialogue, InnoThyroGen successfully connected with diverse audiences and highlighted the real-world importance of personalised medicine.
Therefore, InnoThyroGen at the European Researchers’ Night represents a key milestone in bringing thyroid research closer to the community and building trust in EU-funded scientific initiatives.
Stay Connected
Stay tuned for more outreach activities and project updates.
Follow InnoThyroGen on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), Facebook and Instagram to learn how you can get involved.
