Leading New International Training Network

Deputy Director of the European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Dr Matt Smalley is spearheading the establishment of a new international training network for early stage career scientists interested in breast biology and cancer research.

Dr Smalley is one of the founder members of the European Network of Breast Development and Cancer Laboratories, a network of mainly European researchers with an interest in breast development and cancer.

"For several years, the Network has organised an annual meeting in Switzerland, which focuses on highlighting both established and novel methods in breast biology and cancer research," said Dr Smalley. "The idea is to bring researchers new to the field 'up to speed' on key methods, as well as highlighting methods from other fields which may be of use. Recently, the committee decided to enhance the Network's activities and the establishment of an international training network would not only answer the need for a more formal mechanism for young researchers to be able to move between labs throughout Europe, it would enable them to train in the latest cutting-edge techniques that we discuss at our meetings. "This new training mechanism also fits perfectly with the criteria of the Marie Sklodowska Curie actions in the latest EU Horizon 2020 funding call," continued Dr Smalley. "As a preliminary step to our application for funding, we will be convening in October, at Wales House in Brussels, to discuss what each of us can offer to a training network and to decide on the next steps in preparation for the opening of the next call."