The Young Oncologist (YO) Track Sessions are specially designed by young oncologists for young oncologists and initiated by the ESMO Young Oncologist Committee (YOC).
The sessions are educational and cover topics which are highly relevant to YOs in their daily practice, career development and/or research activities.
YO Track sessions are always very popular and well attended, and for good reasons: not only do attendees acquire a deeper knowledge on key professional aspects, but the sessions also provide attendees with a platform for networking with other oncology professionals including key opinion leaders in a friendly environment.
Here below, you can find the overview of the 2023 YO Track which includes practical tips, information and take-home messages from both young oncologists, those who have recently walked the career path you are on now, and senior key opinion leaders.
Dear young oncologists, dear friends,
After meeting again in Paris for a successful ESMO 2022 conference following 2 years of physical distance and online events, it is time to come together again for ESMO 2023! I am really excited for the opportunity to see you all in Madrid, and to celebrate together all the science and accomplishments that that we have reached during the past 12 months. In addition, the ESMO annual congress is also the time to boost the networking that we all need as young oncologists community in order to improve our daily work and research efforts.
On behalf of the whole YOC team, I wish to invite you to attend the 2023 YO track that was designed to cover several topics of great importance for our career development. We will have excellent panelists in all our sessions: these are unique opportunities to have direct contacts in a friendly environment with many key opinion leaders that have had a major impact in science and for science and that we normally see giving presentations from the podium at major oncology conferences. They are a key voice in the Oncology community not only for their huge contribution as scientists but also because they can combine excellence with proximity and experience with wisdom. Indeed, the YOC sessions also aim to help you connecting with these key opinion leaders and to boost your career in the best way possible. All the YOC members will be involved in the 2023 YO track, not only chairing the sessions, but also giving presentations ourselves on topics that are so dear and close to the YO community. We will be available for you to engage with us during the entire congress, so take your chance to meet us, after the sessions or whenever you see us around, also to get more involved in our future activities. The mission of the YOC is to help you, and your feedback is our most valuable tool…so please use it!
Please find below a sneak peek into the super 2023 ESMO YOC track! The YOC team is really looking forward to seeing you all actively participating in the ESMO 2023 YO track.
YO Mentorship Session: Your Choice of Career Path in Oncology
Friday 20 October 2023, 16:00-17:30, Hall 9 Pamplona
(Limited seats: first come, first serve)
Key opinion leaders will share their experience and vision, both professional and personal, in an informal setting, encouraging open conversation with mentors and peers. Seats are limited and this year we will have a first come first served policy. Don’t lose this unique opportunity.
- Table 1: Clinical research in the general oncology practice setting – Hongcheng Zu, CN; Javier Cortes, ES
- Table 2: How to build your own lab and research group in academia- Rille Pihlak, UK; Cristina Saura, ES
- Table 3: How to build your own lab and research group in academia- Myrto Moutafi, GR; John Haanen, NL
- Table 4: Career opportunities for oncologists in the pharmaceutical industry - Emre Kocakavuk, DE; Lars Mühlenhoff, DE
- Table 5: A career in supportive and palliative care – Deniz Can Guven, TR; Karin Jordan, DE
- Table 6: Leadership and management in oncology – Kevin Punie, BE; Teresa Amaral, DE
- Table 7: A career in neuro-oncology for medical oncologists – Angelika Starzer, AT; Roger Stupp, USA
Vesalius Talk
Friday, 20 October 2023, 17:30-18:30- Networking Hub
The Vesalius Talk is an excellent opportunity for a direct discussion between young oncologists and key opinion leaders in the field of medical oncology. The 2023 Vesalius Talk will discuss how to move forward in our career focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion. The audience will have the opportunity to ask live for practical advice from the panel. A major opportunity to learn from key opinion leaders on their career path and to ask all the questions you never had the chance to ask. The session will be followed by networking and refreshments.
Diversity, equity and inclusion: Tips to move forward in your career
Moderators: Elene Mariamidze, GE; Jonathan Lim, UK
Panellists:
Peter Vuylsteke, BWA/BE
Pilar Garrido, ES
Solange Peters, CH
YO Boxing Session
Saturday, 21 October 2023, 08:45-09:45, NCC Avila
In the time of growing knowledge, it is important to encourage the active debating of new findings. The aim of the YO “boxing” session is therefore to discuss controversial topics in oncology and thereby encourage young oncologists to discuss these topics with young and senior experts in the field. After the presentation of each point of view, the audience is encouraged to discuss and ask questions to the experts on the podium.
Chairs: Maria Kfoury, FR; Emre Kocakavuk, DE
Debate 1: Do you need a basic science rotation for your career in oncology?Joaquin Mateo, ES; Sara Pilotto, IT
Debate 2: Off-label molecular-guided treatments are a reasonable approach for refractory advanced solid tumours
Yannis Metaxas, CH; Barbara Kiesewetter, AT
YO Brunch Sessions
21,22,23 October 2023, 11.00-11.45, NCC Avila
Practical, personal and professional development tips for YOs during a late morning brunch slot (snack is provided J !). These sessions delivered in a relaxed and friendly environment with the opportunity to asks questions and enter a discussion, are extremely useful for YO and other interested attendees to learn about tried and tested approaches that can be adopted for improving their own academic careers.
- Saturday 21 October Caring for the LGBTQ+ patients with cancer, Alison Berner, UK; Pawel Sobczuk, PL
- Sunday 22 October: How to tell a compelling story in scientific articles and presentations, Pawel Sobczuk, PL; Rille Pihlak, UK
- Monday 23 October: Establishing successful global research collaborations and network Ahmad Awada, BE; Kevin Punie, BE
YO Session for Medical Students and New Physicians
Saturday, 21 October 2023, 15:00-16:00, Hall 9 Pamplona
The programme includes a session especially dedicated to the ESMO Student Course on Medical Oncology, chaired by ESMO President Andrés Cervantes. It starts off with practical information, and it is followed by a poster walk to view and comment on some of the posters presented at the congress. The limited available seats are distributed on first come, first serve basis.
- ESMO Medical Students Course - Andrés Cervantes, ES
- Petros Grivas, USA
- Poster walk – YOC members
YO Fellowship Session – Fellowships in Europe: Educational Opportunities for Young Oncologists
Sunday 22 October 2022, 08:30-10:00, NCC Avila
The fellowship session features presentations by two previous ESMO fellows, who are chosen from a competition open to recent fellowship recipients. Practical advice from a former fellow, and career-impact details from the Chair of the ESMO Leadership Development Committee, will add to the detailed overview of available ESMO Fellowship and the ESMO Leaders Generation Programme. The 2023 research fellowships awardees, the José Baselga Fellowship for Clinician Scientist, and the Best Exam Award 2022 will be presented at the end of the session.
YO Masterclass
Sunday 22 October 2023, 14:45-17:45, NCC Avila
The YO Masterclass is the highlight of the YO track, tackling timely questions in a very practical way. This year it features international speakers discussing the new challenges faced by young investigators in academic research.
Tackling new challenges facing young investigators
Chairs: Jonathan Lim, UK; Elizabeth Connolly, AUS
- Bridging the gap between basic science and clinical research, Cesar Serrano, ES
- Investigator-initiated trials: From design to activation, Nadia Harbeck, DE
- Preprints from medRxiv and bioRxiv: Should I trust them? Lewis Rowett, UK
- Interpreting clinical trial data: How to understand subgroup analyses, Sarah Brown, UK
YO Forum
Monday 23 October 2023, 08:30-10:00, NCC Avila
This year, participants will have the chance to learn and ask questions about grant writing, project management, and successful application processes. The speakers are well known colleagues that will be more than happy to clarify all your burning questions. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with the experts!
Preparing future-proof (young) oncologists
Chairs: Maria Kforuy, FR; Rodrigo Sanchez Bayona, ES
- How to put together a great CV and make a standout application, Fabrice André, FR
- How to write a successful research grant/protocol, Ruth Plummer, UK
- The dos and don’ts of research project management, TBC
- Empowerment and resilience: A toolbox to foster your well-being and personal development, Claire Hardy,
YO Clinical Case Discussion: Discussion Forum for Young Oncologists
Monday 23 October 2023, 16:00-17:00, Hall 9 Pamplona
(Limited seats, first come first serve.)
This is a highly interactive round table discussion on clinical cases on solid tumours, for a small group of attendees. The expert speakers in each of the 3 topics present scenarios and guide the discussion along with a YOC member coordinator who will introduce the session. Seats are limited and this year we will have a first come first served policy, so don’t miss this chance to have your practical questions answered by KOL.
- topic 1: Immunotherapy in patients with autoimmune disease, Ana Tegic Vuger, CR; Caroline Robert, FR
- topic 2: Integration of liquid biopsy in decision making in the management of patients with colon cancer, Elene Mariamidze, GE; Alfonso De Stefano, IT
- topic 3: HER2+ breast cancer with brain metastases, Pablo Mandò, AR; Evandro De Azambuja, BE
- topic 4: Molecular profiling for cancer of unknown primary, Kevin Punie, BE; Natalie Cook, UK
- topic 5: Rare sarcomas and the importance of centralized and multidisciplinary care, Pawel Sobczuk, PL; Katarzyna Kozak, PL