The three-day meeting featured 40 oral presentations and 23 poster teaser talks, covering a wide array of scientific topics, from stem cell biology, color-producing cells, neural systems, and egg migration, to viral protein multifunctionality, ribosomal DNA regulation, hippocampal development, and inter-species chimeras.
One of the highlights of the meeting was the Nakasone Lecture, delivered by 2025 HFSP Nakasone Awardee Jacob Hanna from the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel. In his keynote, Hanna presented pioneering work on stem cell–based models of early development, capturing the innovative and interdisciplinary ethos that the Nakasone Award seeks to celebrate.
The program also included a special lecture by Shigekazu Nagata, the previous HFSPO President. The Professor of Osaka University, Japan, presented decades of foundational research on apoptosis and the immune system’s role in clearing dead cells.
The two poster sessions were among the most appreciated moments of the meeting. Held in a lively and welcoming atmosphere, they were a hub of activity where researchers engaged in in-depth discussions, asked questions, and exchanged ideas across disciplines. The format created rich networking opportunities and highlighted the collaborative spirit that lies at the heart of the HFSP community.
Beyond the scientific content, the meeting was defined by its warm and collaborative atmosphere. Participants were welcomed on the evening of 8 July with a reception at The Westin Melbourne, offering an early opportunity for informal conversations and reconnections. The final evening concluded with a farewell cocktail at Monash College, closing the meeting with a relaxed and celebratory gathering.
The HFSP Awardees Meeting continues to serve as a forum for scientific exchange and as a space to build and strengthen a global network of researchers committed to advancing frontier life science. The 2025 edition in Melbourne fully captured that spirit through the diversity of its participants, the boldness of the ideas presented, and the sense of community that animated every discussion, both in and out of the lecture hall.
For more information:
Awardees Meeting Program
Awardees Meeting – Book of Abstracts
Awardees Meeting Photo Gallery
Awardees Meeting Videos (excluding sessions with unpublished data)