Book of Abstracts
for theEYCN Early-Career Program
hosted by the European Young Chemists‘ Network (EYCN)
at the 9th EuChemS Chemistry Congress, Dublin, Ireland (ECC9).

For more information please visit: https://euchems2024.org/eycn-early-career-program/Contact: ecc@eycn.eu

Table of Contents
Abstracts sorted by subthemes .........................................................................................3
Career Development & New Skills ............................................................................................ 3
Professional Development & CV Writing Workshop ......................................................................................4
Identifying and Applying for Grants - Tips and Tricks for Successful Applications .........................................5
Roads to Success .............................................................................................................................................6
Artificial Intelligence in Chemistry ..................................................................................................................7

Societal Challenges .................................................................................................................. 8
The Diversity of Inclusion & Diversity .............................................................................................................9
Mental Health in Early Career Academia – What Does a Sustainable Career Look and Feel Like?..............10
Dual-Use in Chemistry – The Challenge of Ensuring Chemistry Benefits All While Preventing Misuse.......11
How and Why You Should Engage in Science Policy .....................................................................................12

Scientific Publishing, Communication & Collaboration ............................................................. 13
The Elements of Fair and Trustworthy Scientific Publishing.........................................................................14
Maximise the Visibility of Your Research - Learning from Skilled Science Journalists and Communicators 15

EuChemS Young Chemists' Award ........................................................................................... 16
EuChemS Young Chemists' Award Finalists' Presentations – PhD Level.......................................................17
EuChemS Young Chemists' Award Finalists' Presentations – Early-Career Level .........................................18

Abstracts sorted by days .................................................................................................19
Monday, July 8th 2024............................................................................................................. 19
The Elements of Fair and Trustworthy Scientific Publishing.........................................................................20
How and Why You Should Engage in Science Policy .....................................................................................21
Dual-Use in Chemistry – The Challenge of Ensuring Chemistry Benefits All While Preventing Misuse.......22

Tuesday, July 9th 2024 ............................................................................................................. 23
Professional Development & CV Writing Workshop ....................................................................................24
Roads to Success ...........................................................................................................................................25
Mental Health in Early Career Academia – What Does a Sustainable Career Look and Feel Like?..............26

Wednesday, July 10th 2024...................................................................................................... 27
EuChemS Young Chemists' Award Finalists' Presentations – Early-Career Level .........................................28
EuChemS Young Chemists' Award Finalists' Presentations – PhD Level.......................................................29
Artificial Intelligence in Chemistry ................................................................................................................30

Thursday, July 11th 2024 ......................................................................................................... 31
The Diversity of Inclusion & Diversity ...........................................................................................................32
Maximise the Visibility of Your Research - Learning from Skilled Science Journalists and Communicators 33
Identifying and Applying for Grants - Tips and Tricks for Successful Applications .......................................342

Abstracts sorted by subthemes

Subtheme:
Career Development & New Skills

3

Professional Development & CV Writing Workshop
Christina McCoy,1 Robert Bowles2
1

American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, United States of America.
2 Royal Society of Chemistry, London, United Kingdom.

Career planning can be challenging, but preparing for opportunities ahead of time is crucial
for success. This includes identifying desired career goals, strengths and weaknesses as wellas maintaining an updated curriculum vitae (CV), which serves as an essential document forevaluators to assess your background and skills when applying for positions.
In this session, we will introduce various tools and best practices to help you stay preparedand keep your professional development on track. We will cover the fundamental elementsthat should be included in a CV, offering advice on how to customize it for specific applications
and career stages. Participants will gain insights into crafting a CV that reflects their expertiseand aligns with the requirements of the positions they seek.
Additionally, the session will feature a short video message from Steven Price, Director of theEuropean Institute of Industrial Leadership (EIIL), presenting the outcomes of the Future
Leaders Survey. This survey, conducted by the EIIL in collaboration with various European
early-career networks and multiple chemical companies, identifies discrepancies in theperceived importance of soft and hard skills, offering valuable information for early-career
professionals.
To make the most of this workshop, participants are encouraged to bring a laptop for real-timeengagement with online career planning tools and a recent copy of their CV for hands-on
application of the session's guidance.

Tuesday, July 9th, 2024 – 10:00 – 12:00; Chair: Noah Al-Shamery

4

Identifying and Applying for Grants - Tips and Tricks for Successful Applications
Gearóid Ó Máille,1 Joanna Kowalska,2 David A. Leigh31European Research Council, Brussels, Belgium. 2 German Research Foundation, Bonn,
Germany. 3 University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.

Securing funding is a critical element of a successful academic career, relevant at every stage,
from doctoral and postdoctoral fellowships, to establishing an independent research group,and for advanced researchers pursuing prestigious grants like the European Research Council(ERC) Advanced Grants.
This workshop is designed to introduce participants to the process of identifying and applying
for grant opportunities at various career stages, with a focus on national and European
funding sources. Attendees will receive practical guidance on selecting suitable grant
programs, and writing competitive project proposals. The session will cover best practices,offer advice on crafting compelling applications, and highlight common pitfalls to avoid, allwith the goal of increasing the chances of success in a highly competitive landscape.
Moreover, the workshop provides an opportunity for attendees to ask individual questions,allowing for a more tailored experience.

Thursday, July 11th, 2024 – 13:15 – 15:00; Chair: João Borges

5

Roads to Success
Nessa Carson,1 Christoph Schotes,2 Giulia Moncelsi,3 Vera Köster,4 Fernando Gomollón-Bel5
1

Early Chemical Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Macclesfield,
United Kingdom. 2 Bayer AG, Leverkusen, Germany. 3 Elsevier-Reaxys, Amsterdam, The
Netherlands. 4 Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, Germany. 5 Agata Communications, Cambridge, United
Kingdom.
Career opportunities in industry span a broad range of roles, reflecting the diverse expertiseof scientists working within these fields. In the "Roads to Success" session, a group ofaccomplished scientists from various industries will share their current roles and career
journeys to showcase the multitude of pathways available to early-career scientists. Throughtheir personal experiences, attendees will gain valuable insights into potential career
trajectories and receive practical advice for navigating a career in the chemical or
pharmaceutical industries, as well as in publishing, communication and related sectors.
This session is designed for anyone seeking to start or advance their career in industry, offering
an opportunity to learn from those who have successfully established themselves in various
roles. Attendees will also have the chance to engage directly with industrial representatives
from companies of different sizes, allowing for an interactive dialogue and a unique chance topose questions about specific career paths and industry expectations.
Whether you are interested in research and development, management, publishing, orcommunication, this session aims to provide inspiration and guidance for pursuing a
successful career in industry. It is an invaluable opportunity for early-career scientists to
explore different possibilities and gain insights into what it takes to succeed in a competitive
industrial landscape.

Tuesday, July 9th, 2024 – 13:30 – 15:30; Chair: Maximilian Menche

6Artificial Intelligence in Chemistry
Willeke Bakker Mijnlieff,1 Kate Bromfield,2 Zakaryia El-Machachi3
1

Elsevier-Reaxys, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 2 Hazard Evaluation Ltd., Auckland, New
Zealand. 3 University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has undergone substantial growth in recent years, leading to its
widespread integration into everyday applications. This surge has similarly been observed inscientific disciplines, notably in chemistry, where AI-based methods are gaining significant
attention. AI is employed to predict molecular and material properties and behaviours,
expedite and enhance advancements in computational chemistry, and assist chemists inretrosynthesis predictions, leveraging large datasets to reduce human error and intuitionbased biases.
This session aims to examine a selection of AI use cases within the field of chemistry and to
explore future developments in this rapidly evolving area. We will discuss how AI is reshaping
chemical research and consider potential directions and next steps in this quickly developing
field.

Wednesday, July 10th, 2024 – 16:00 – 17:00; Chair: Maximilian Menche

7

Subtheme:
Societal Challenges

8The Diversity of Inclusion & Diversity
Pilar Goya,1 Marta Da Pian,2 Jodi Wesemann,3 Phoebe McKenna-Plumley,4 Zoe Schnepp5
1

European Chemical Society, Brussels, Belgium. 2 Elsevier-Reaxys, Amsterdam, The
Netherlands. 3 American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, United States of America.
4 Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom. 5 University of Birmingham,
Birmingham, United Kingdom.
The scope of Inclusion and Diversity efforts is as varied as the individuals they aim to support.
In this session, we intend to showcase a range of initiatives and projects implemented inrecent years, providing insights into both the progress and ongoing challenges in promoting amore inclusive environment within the chemical sciences. Our focus will encompass several
key aspects of diversity, including gender, race and ethnicity, socioeconomic disparities,
LGBTQ+ identity, and disabilities, with special emphasis on how these different dimensions
intersect.
Attendees will have ample opportunity to engage with the panelists, raise questions, and voice
concerns in a supportive setting designed to foster open dialogue. This session aims to serve
as a catalyst for further exploration, discussion, and concrete actions towards enhancing
inclusion in chemical research and the workplace.
The session is organized collaboratively by the European Young Chemists' Network (EYCN), the
EuChemS Task Group on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the Royal Society of Chemistry, and
the American Chemical Society, underscoring the collective commitment to promoting a more
inclusive environment within the chemical sciences.

Thursday, July 11th, 2024 – 10:00 – 12:00; Chair: Patrick Fritz

9Mental Health in Early Career Academia – What Does a Sustainable Career Look and Feel
Like?
Darragh McCashin1,2
1 Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland.
2 Researcher Mental Health Observatory (ReMO) COST Action.

Mental health issues including anxiety, depression, and burnout are highly prevalent within
academia, especially during early career phases. Several key factors are associated with such
issues, including: ever-increasing work pressures, problematic recognition and reward
systems, imposter syndrome, mental health stigma, hypermobility, and the absence ofmultilevel supportive resources. While such systemic factors can only be addressed throughsignificant changes at institutional and governance levels, at the individual level, there aremany tools and strategies that can be utilised in the present moment to support and empower
academics, build peer-to-peer networks, and envision more sustainable academic
environments.
During the first part of this session, we will discuss the evidence for common mental healthand wellbeing challenges within academia. Using best practices emerging from the European
COST Action Researcher Mental Health Observatory (ReMO), some of the ongoing strategies
to address mental health challenges will be presented. This will be followed by an interactive
breakout discussion exercise to respond to the presented evidence, offer personal andprofessional perspectives, and share experiences. Finally, the workshop will close with asummary and critical reflection on the overall session, and a presentation of actionable next
steps.
This workshop will be led by Dr Darragh McCashin (Assistant Professor, School of Psychology
at Dublin City University; Working Group Chair, ReMO).

Tuesday, July 9th, 2024 – 16:00 – 17:00; Chair: Marie Désirée Schlemper-Scheidt

10Dual-Use in Chemistry – The Challenge of Ensuring Chemistry Benefits All While Preventing
MisusePeter Hotchkiss1
1 Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, The Hague, The Netherlands.

Chemistry congresses, such as this one, often bring together chemistry practitioners with ashared objective: harnessing chemistry for the betterment of society. However, for all thegood, legitimate uses that chemical compounds have, they can also be misused to cause harm
to individuals, ecosystems, or even nations through the creation and use of chemical weapons.
In recent decades, significant progress has been made in reducing the prevalence of chemical
weapons, largely due to the work of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons(OPCW). This global treaty-based organization, awarded the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize for its
efforts, has played a pivotal role in overseeing the elimination of chemical weapons stockpiles
and preventing their proliferation.
Despite these successes, the dual-use nature of many chemical compounds complicatescontrol efforts. Researchers and the chemical industry often require access to thesesubstances for legitimate, peaceful purposes, which necessitates a balanced approach toregulation. This tension between control and accessibility presents ongoing challenges.
In this session, Peter Hotchkiss from the OPCW will discuss the complexities of managing
critical dual-use compounds and share insights into the organization's strategies forpreventing their misuse to make weapons. Attendees will gain an understanding of how the
OPCW promotes peaceful uses of chemistry, supporting scientific and industrial progress,
while ensuring chemistry is not used for malicious reasons.

Monday, July 8th, 2024 – 16:00 – 17:00; Chair:Marie Désirée Schlemper-Scheidt

11How and Why You Should Engage in Science Policy
Frances Arnold,1 Helen Pain,2 Floris Rutjes3
1

California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, United States of America. 2 Royal Society ofChemistry, London, United Kingdom. 3 European Chemical Society, Brussels, Belgium.

Humanity currently faces a range of unprecedented challenges that demand the active
involvement of scientific experts from around the globe. However, many scientists find it
difficult to understand the complex world of politics and science policy, encountering
obstacles like convoluted governmental structures, unfamiliar terminology, and lengthy
processes.
This session addresses these issues by bringing together renowned experts with extensive
experience in science policy to offer insights and guidance to early-career researchers andothers interested in engaging with science policy worldwide. The session aims to provide
motivation and practical pathways for scientists to participate in policy discussions,emphasizing the importance of their contributions in addressing pressing global issues.
Participants will gain a clearer understanding of how to navigate the intricacies of science
policy and become more effective in their efforts to influence policy decisions.

Monday, July 8th, 2024 – 13:30 – 15:30; Chair: Maximilian Menche

12Subtheme:
Scientific Publishing, Communication& Collaboration

13

The Elements of Fair and Trustworthy Scientific Publishing
William Aumiller,1 Emma Eley,2 Anne Nijs,3 Haymo Ross,3
1

American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, United States of America. 2 Royal Society ofChemistry, London, United Kingdom. 3 Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, Germany.

Academic publishing is a fundamental aspect of the scientific community, including often
serving as a key metric for evaluating researchers. However, this reliance on publication
metrics has opened the door for unscrupulous entities within the publishing sector, leading to
the emergence of predatory publishers that offer quick publication but often bypass rigorous
peer-review and quality control processes.
This session seeks to address these issues by examining the characteristics that differentiate
reputable scientific publishers from predatory ones. Additionally, we will explore different
models and best practices in peer-review as well as its value. We will also explore how theseprocesses can be improved to ensure more fairness and reliability in the future. Moreover, we
will discuss the evolving landscape of open science and assess its potential benefits for thescientific community, as well as its impact on publishing standards and transparency.
Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of the challenges facing academic publishing andthe measures required to maintain integrity and trustworthiness. The session will provide
insights into safeguarding the quality of scientific publications while adapting to broader
changes in the publishing environment.

Monday, July 8th, 2024 – 10:00 – 12:00; Chair: Noah Al-Shamery

14Maximise the Visibility of Your Research - Learning from Skilled Science Journalists andCommunicators
1
Juliana Vidal, Manuel Souto Salom,2 Julia Robinson3
1 Beyond Benign, Wilmington, United States of America. 2 Universidad de Santiago deCompostela, Santiago, Spain. 3 ChemistryWorld, Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge,
United Kingdom.
This workshop provides early-career researchers with tips, tricks and best practices to improvetheir communication skills and effectively share scientific discoveries with diverse audiences,including fellow researchers, industrial partners, policymakers, journalists, and the civilsociety. The topics will include different strategies to increase the visibility of research throughsocial media, magazines, and other platforms, including citizen-led initiatives, which overallmaximize the impact of your work in the lab, and help you engage with both the scientificcommunity and the wider public.
Participants will learn practical techniques to make their work more accessible andcompelling. The workshop also emphasizes the importance of connecting science with society,offering strategies to engage audiences in a meaningful way. This session aims to equip
researchers with the skills to communicate their work more effectively and inspire public
interest in science.

Thursday, July 11th, 2024 – 12:30 – 13:15; Chair: Fernando Gomollón-Bel

15

Subtheme:
EuChemS Young Chemists' Award

16

EuChemS Young Chemists' Award Finalists' Presentations – PhD Level
EuChemS Young Chemists’ Award Award Committee1
1

European Chemical Society, Brussels, Belgium.

The EuChemS Young Chemists’ Award (EYCA) aims to recognize and honor outstanding
research conducted by early-career scientists in the field of chemistry. This prestigious award
is designed to celebrate and encourage younger chemists whose research demonstrates ahigh degree of excellence, innovation, and promise for future contributions to the chemical
sciences. It seeks to identify and reward individuals with exceptional potential who are likely
to make significant advancements in chemistry-related fields. The awards, supported by theSocietà Chimica Italiana (SCI), the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), Chemistry Europe, and theEuropean Chemical Society (EuChemS), are presented biennially at the EuChemS Chemistry
Congress.
In this session, the six selected finalists in the PhD category will present their groundbreaking
research to an audience of peers and the award jury. The session represents a platform for
networking, inspiration, and the celebration of emerging talent in the chemical sciences.
Finalists PhD Level:- Áine Coogan- Silvia Escayola Gordils- Sara Ferrara- Adrian de la Fuente Ballesteros- Marie Perrin- Yuman Qin

Wednesday, July 10th, 2024 – 13:30 – 15:30; Chair: Thomas Vranken

17EuChemS Young Chemists' Award Finalists' Presentations – Early-Career Level
EuChemS Young Chemists’ Award Award Committee1
1

European Chemical Society, Brussels, Belgium.

The EuChemS Young Chemists’ Award (EYCA) aims to recognize and honor outstanding
research conducted by early-career scientists in the field of chemistry. This prestigious award
is designed to celebrate and encourage younger chemists whose research demonstrates ahigh degree of excellence, innovation, and promise for future contributions to the chemical
sciences. It seeks to identify and reward individuals with exceptional potential who are likely
to make significant advancements in chemistry-related fields. The awards, supported by theSocietà Chimica Italiana (SCI), the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), Chemistry Europe, and theEuropean Chemical Society (EuChemS), are presented biennially at the EuChemS Chemistry
Congress.
In this session, the six selected finalists in the early-career category will present their
groundbreaking research to an audience of peers and the award jury. The session represents
a platform for networking, inspiration, and the celebration of emerging talent in the chemical
sciences.
Finalists Early-Career Level:- Gianluigi Albano- Shuntaro Amano- Michael Howlett- Simona Ranallo- Manuel Souto Salom- Dennis Svatunek

Wednesday, July 10th, 2024 – 10:00 – 12:00; Chair: Monja Schilling18

Abstracts sorted by days

Monday, July 8th 2024

19

The Elements of Fair and Trustworthy Scientific Publishing
William Aumiller,1 Emma Eley,2 Anne Nijs,3 Haymo Ross,3
1

American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, United States of America. 2 Royal Society ofChemistry, London, United Kingdom. 3 Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, Germany.

Academic publishing is a fundamental aspect of the scientific community, including often
serving as a key metric for evaluating researchers. However, this reliance on publication
metrics has opened the door for unscrupulous entities within the publishing sector, leading to
the emergence of predatory publishers that offer quick publication but often bypass rigorous
peer-review and quality control processes.
This session seeks to address these issues by examining the characteristics that differentiate
reputable scientific publishers from predatory ones. Additionally, we will explore different
models and best practices in peer-review as well as its value. We will also explore how theseprocesses can be improved to ensure more fairness and reliability in the future. Moreover, we
will discuss the evolving landscape of open science and assess its potential benefits for thescientific community, as well as its impact on publishing standards and transparency.
Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of the challenges facing academic publishing andthe measures required to maintain integrity and trustworthiness. The session will provide
insights into safeguarding the quality of scientific publications while adapting to broader
changes in the publishing environment.

Monday, July 8th, 2024 – 10:00 – 12:00; Chair: Noah Al-Shamery

20

How and Why You Should Engage in Science Policy
Frances Arnold,1 Helen Pain,2 Floris Rutjes3
1

California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, United States of America. 2 Royal Society ofChemistry, London, United Kingdom. 3 European Chemical Society, Brussels, Belgium.

Humanity currently faces a range of unprecedented challenges that demand the active
involvement of scientific experts from around the globe. However, many scientists find it
difficult to understand the complex world of politics and science policy, encountering
obstacles like convoluted governmental structures, unfamiliar terminology, and lengthy
processes.
This session addresses these issues by bringing together renowned experts with extensive
experience in science policy to offer insights and guidance to early-career researchers andothers interested in engaging with science policy worldwide. The session aims to provide
motivation and practical pathways for scientists to participate in policy discussions,emphasizing the importance of their contributions in addressing pressing global issues.
Participants will gain a clearer understanding of how to navigate the intricacies of science
policy and become more effective in their efforts to influence policy decisions.

Monday, July 8th, 2024 – 13:30 – 15:30; Chair: Maximilian Menche21

Dual-Use in Chemistry – The Challenge of Ensuring Chemistry Benefits All While Preventing
MisusePeter Hotchkiss1
1 Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, The Hague, The Netherlands.

Chemistry congresses, such as this one, often bring together chemistry practitioners with ashared objective: harnessing chemistry for the betterment of society. However, for all thegood, legitimate uses that chemical compounds have, they can also be misused to cause harm
to individuals, ecosystems, or even nations through the creation and use of chemical weapons.
In recent decades, significant progress has been made in reducing the prevalence of chemical
weapons, largely due to the work of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons(OPCW). This global treaty-based organization, awarded the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize for its
efforts, has played a pivotal role in overseeing the elimination of chemical weapons stockpiles
and preventing their proliferation.
Despite these successes, the dual-use nature of many chemical compounds complicatescontrol efforts. Researchers and the chemical industry often require access to thesesubstances for legitimate, peaceful purposes, which necessitates a balanced approach toregulation. This tension between control and accessibility presents ongoing challenges.
In this session, Peter Hotchkiss from the OPCW will discuss the complexities of managing
critical dual-use compounds and share insights into the organization's strategies forpreventing their misuse to make weapons. Attendees will gain an understanding of how the
OPCW promotes peaceful uses of chemistry, supporting scientific and industrial progress,
while ensuring chemistry is not used for malicious reasons.

Monday, July 8th, 2024 – 16:00 – 17:00; Chair: Marie Désirée Schlemper-Scheidt

22

Tuesday, July 9th 2024

23

Professional Development & CV Writing Workshop
Christina McCoy,1 Robert Bowles2
1

American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, United States of America.
2 Royal Society of Chemistry, London, United Kingdom.

Career planning can be challenging, but preparing for opportunities ahead of time is crucial
for success. This includes identifying desired career goals, strengths and weaknesses as wellas maintaining an updated curriculum vitae (CV), which serves as an essential document forevaluators to assess your background and skills when applying for positions.
In this session, we will introduce various tools and best practices to help you stay preparedand keep your professional development on track. We will cover the fundamental elementsthat should be included in a CV, offering advice on how to customize it for specific applications
and career stages. Participants will gain insights into crafting a CV that reflects their expertiseand aligns with the requirements of the positions they seek.
Additionally, the session will feature a short video message from Steven Price, Director of theEuropean Institute of Industrial Leadership (EIIL), presenting the outcomes of the Future
Leaders Survey. This survey, conducted by the EIIL in collaboration with various European
early-career networks and multiple chemical companies, identifies discrepancies in theperceived importance of soft and hard skills, offering valuable information for early-career
professionals.
To make the most of this workshop, participants are encouraged to bring a laptop for real-timeengagement with online career planning tools and a recent copy of their CV for hands-on
application of the session's guidance.

Tuesday, July 9th, 2024 – 10:00 – 12:00; Chair: Noah Al-Shamery

24

Roads to Success
Nessa Carson,1 Christoph Schotes,2 Giulia Moncelsi,3 Vera Köster,4 Fernando Gomollón-Bel5
1

Early Chemical Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Macclesfield,
United Kingdom. 2 Bayer AG, Leverkusen, Germany. 3 Elsevier-Reaxys, Amsterdam, The
Netherlands. 4 Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, Germany. 5 Agata Communications, Cambridge, United
Kingdom.
Career opportunities in industry span a broad range of roles, reflecting the diverse expertiseof scientists working within these fields. In the "Roads to Success" session, a group ofaccomplished scientists from various industries will share their current roles and career
journeys to showcase the multitude of pathways available to early-career scientists. Throughtheir personal experiences, attendees will gain valuable insights into potential career
trajectories and receive practical advice for navigating a career in the chemical or
pharmaceutical industries, as well as in publishing, communication and related sectors.
This session is designed for anyone seeking to start or advance their career in industry, offering
an opportunity to learn from those who have successfully established themselves in various
roles. Attendees will also have the chance to engage directly with industrial representatives
from companies of different sizes, allowing for an interactive dialogue and a unique chance topose questions about specific career paths and industry expectations.
Whether you are interested in research and development, management, publishing, orcommunication, this session aims to provide inspiration and guidance for pursuing a
successful career in industry. It is an invaluable opportunity for early-career scientists to
explore different possibilities and gain insights into what it takes to succeed in a competitive
industrial landscape.

Tuesday, July 9th, 2024 – 13:30 – 15:30; Chair: Maximilian Menche25

Mental Health in Early Career Academia – What Does a Sustainable Career Look and Feel
Like?
Darragh McCashin1,2
1 Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland.
2 Researcher Mental Health Observatory (ReMO) COST Action.

Mental health issues including anxiety, depression, and burnout are highly prevalent within
academia, especially during early career phases. Several key factors are associated with such
issues, including: ever-increasing work pressures, problematic recognition and reward
systems, imposter syndrome, mental health stigma, hypermobility, and the absence ofmultilevel supportive resources. While such systemic factors can only be addressed throughsignificant changes at institutional and governance levels, at the individual level, there aremany tools and strategies that can be utilised in the present moment to support and empower
academics, build peer-to-peer networks, and envision more sustainable academic
environments.
During the first part of this session, we will discuss the evidence for common mental healthand wellbeing challenges within academia. Using best practices emerging from the European
COST Action Researcher Mental Health Observatory (ReMO), some of the ongoing strategies
to address mental health challenges will be presented. This will be followed by an interactive
breakout discussion exercise to respond to the presented evidence, offer personal andprofessional perspectives, and share experiences. Finally, the workshop will close with asummary and critical reflection on the overall session, and a presentation of actionable next
steps.
This workshop will be led by Dr Darragh McCashin (Assistant Professor, School of Psychology
at Dublin City University; Working Group Chair, ReMO).

Tuesday, July 9th, 2024 – 16:00 – 17:00; Chair: Marie Désirée Schlemper-Scheidt

26

Wednesday, July 10th 2024

27

EuChemS Young Chemists' Award Finalists' Presentations – Early-Career Level
EuChemS Young Chemists’ Award Award Committee1
1

European Chemical Society, Brussels, Belgium.

The EuChemS Young Chemists’ Award (EYCA) aims to recognize and honor outstanding
research conducted by early-career scientists in the field of chemistry. This prestigious award
is designed to celebrate and encourage younger chemists whose research demonstrates ahigh degree of excellence, innovation, and promise for future contributions to the chemical
sciences. It seeks to identify and reward individuals with exceptional potential who are likely
to make significant advancements in chemistry-related fields. The awards, supported by theSocietà Chimica Italiana (SCI), the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), Chemistry Europe, and theEuropean Chemical Society (EuChemS), are presented biennially at the EuChemS Chemistry
Congress.
In this session, the six selected finalists in the early-career category will present their
groundbreaking research to an audience of peers and the award jury. The session represents
a platform for networking, inspiration, and the celebration of emerging talent in the chemical
sciences.
Finalists Early-Career Level:- Gianluigi Albano- Shuntaro Amano- Michael Howlett- Simona Ranallo- Manuel Souto Salom- Dennis Svatunek

Wednesday, July 10th, 2024 – 10:00 – 12:00; Chair: Monja Schilling28

EuChemS Young Chemists' Award Finalists' Presentations – PhD Level
EuChemS Young Chemists’ Award Award Committee1
1

European Chemical Society, Brussels, Belgium.

The EuChemS Young Chemists’ Award (EYCA) aims to recognize and honor outstanding
research conducted by early-career scientists in the field of chemistry. This prestigious award
is designed to celebrate and encourage younger chemists whose research demonstrates ahigh degree of excellence, innovation, and promise for future contributions to the chemical
sciences. It seeks to identify and reward individuals with exceptional potential who are likely
to make significant advancements in chemistry-related fields. The awards, supported by theSocietà Chimica Italiana (SCI), the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), Chemistry Europe, and theEuropean Chemical Society (EuChemS), are presented biennially at the EuChemS Chemistry
Congress.
In this session, the six selected finalists in the PhD category will present their groundbreaking
research to an audience of peers and the award jury. The session represents a platform for
networking, inspiration, and the celebration of emerging talent in the chemical sciences.
Finalists PhD Level:- Áine Coogan- Silvia Escayola Gordils- Sara Ferrara- Adrian de la Fuente Ballesteros- Marie Perrin- Yuman Qin

Wednesday, July 10th, 2024 – 13:30 – 15:30; Chair: Thomas Vranken

29Artificial Intelligence in Chemistry
Willeke Bakker Mijnlieff,1 Kate Bromfield,2 Zakaryia El-Machachi3
1

Elsevier-Reaxys, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 2 Hazard Evaluation Ltd., Auckland, New
Zealand. 3 University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has undergone substantial growth in recent years, leading to its
widespread integration into everyday applications. This surge has similarly been observed inscientific disciplines, notably in chemistry, where AI-based methods are gaining significant
attention. AI is employed to predict molecular and material properties and behaviours,
expedite and enhance advancements in computational chemistry, and assist chemists inretrosynthesis predictions, leveraging large datasets to reduce human error and intuitionbased biases.
This session aims to examine a selection of AI use cases within the field of chemistry and to
explore future developments in this rapidly evolving area. We will discuss how AI is reshaping
chemical research and consider potential directions and next steps in this quickly developing
field.

Wednesday, July 10th, 2024 – 16:00 – 17:00; Chair: Maximilian Menche

30

Thursday, July 11th 2024

31

The Diversity of Inclusion & Diversity
Pilar Goya,1 Marta Da Pian,2 Jodi Wesemann,3 Phoebe McKenna-Plumley,4 Zoe Schnepp5
1

European Chemical Society, Brussels, Belgium. 2 Elsevier-Reaxys, Amsterdam, The
Netherlands. 3 American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, United States of America.
4 Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom. 5 University of Birmingham,
Birmingham, United Kingdom.
The scope of Inclusion and Diversity efforts is as varied as the individuals they aim to support.
In this session, we intend to showcase a range of initiatives and projects implemented inrecent years, providing insights into both the progress and ongoing challenges in promoting amore inclusive environment within the chemical sciences. Our focus will encompass several
key aspects of diversity, including gender, race and ethnicity, socioeconomic disparities,
LGBTQ+ identity, and disabilities, with special emphasis on how these different dimensions
intersect.
Attendees will have ample opportunity to engage with the panelists, raise questions, and voice
concerns in a supportive setting designed to foster open dialogue. This session aims to serve
as a catalyst for further exploration, discussion, and concrete actions towards enhancing
inclusion in chemical research and the workplace.
The session is organized collaboratively by the European Young Chemists' Network (EYCN), the
EuChemS Task Group on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the Royal Society of Chemistry, and
the American Chemical Society, underscoring the collective commitment to promoting a more
inclusive environment within the chemical sciences.

Thursday, July 11th, 2024 – 10:00 – 12:00; Chair: Patrick Fritz

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Maximise the Visibility of Your Research - Learning from Skilled Science Journalists andCommunicators
1
Juliana Vidal, Manuel Souto Salom,2 Julia Robinson3
1 Beyond Benign, Wilmington, United States of America. 2 Universidad de Santiago deCompostela, Santiago, Spain. 3 ChemistryWorld, Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge,
United Kingdom.
This workshop provides early-career researchers with tips, tricks and best practices to improvetheir communication skills and effectively share scientific discoveries with diverse audiences,including fellow researchers, industrial partners, policymakers, journalists, and the civilsociety. The topics will include different strategies to increase the visibility of research throughsocial media, magazines, and other platforms, including citizen-led initiatives, which overallmaximize the impact of your work in the lab, and help you engage with both the scientificcommunity and the wider public.
Participants will learn practical techniques to make their work more accessible andcompelling. The workshop also emphasizes the importance of connecting science with society,offering strategies to engage audiences in a meaningful way. This session aims to equip
researchers with the skills to communicate their work more effectively and inspire public
interest in science.

Thursday, July 11th, 2024 – 12:30 – 13:15; Chair: Fernando Gomollón-Bel

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Identifying and Applying for Grants - Tips and Tricks for Successful Applications
Gearóid Ó Máille,1 Joanna Kowalska,2 David A. Leigh31European Research Council, Brussels, Belgium. 2 German Research Foundation, Bonn,
Germany. 3 University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.

Securing funding is a critical element of a successful academic career, relevant at every stage,
from doctoral and postdoctoral fellowships, to establishing an independent research group,and for advanced researchers pursuing prestigious grants like the European Research Council(ERC) Advanced Grants.
This workshop is designed to introduce participants to the process of identifying and applying
for grant opportunities at various career stages, with a focus on national and European
funding sources. Attendees will receive practical guidance on selecting suitable grant
programs, and writing competitive project proposals. The session will cover best practices,offer advice on crafting compelling applications, and highlight common pitfalls to avoid, allwith the goal of increasing the chances of success in a highly competitive landscape.
Moreover, the workshop provides an opportunity for attendees to ask individual questions,allowing for a more tailored experience.

Thursday, July 11th, 2024 – 13:15 – 15:00; Chair: João Borges

34