IUBMB Trainee Initiative

Welcome to the website of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB) Trainee Initiative! Our goal is to bring together scientists around the world through initiatives and events covering educational, technical, and professional development. Our initiative is run by trainees for trainees – whether you are a student in a high-school, undergraduate, master’s, or PhD programme or a post-doctoral researcher, we hope that our activities and resources will help you navigate your journey into the wonderful world of biochemistry and molecular biology!

Who We Are

Our leadership committee represents all geographical regions, by including committee members from all four regional IUBMB member societies: FAOBMB (Federation of Asian and Oceanian Biochemists and Molecular Biologists), FASBMB (Federation of African Societies of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology), FEBS (Federation of European Biochemical Societies), and PABMB (Pan American Association for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology). Our current trainee representatives include our chair, Cathy Cozma (PABMB); JONG Hui Lan (Grace), Ryan C.V. Lintao, and Jessie Wong Ling Ai (all from FAOBMB); Arnold Anaasi, Oswald Y. Djihinto, Aishatu Muhammad Malami, Douglas K. Njuguna, and Victoria Patten (all from FASBMB); Mihaela Jovanović, Julia Meier, Patrick Penndorf, and Teresa Rubio-Tomás (all from FEBS); Sana Ahmed, Sunnie Kong, Rocio Meinero, and Maria Elisa Vázquez (all from PABMB). You can find more about us by visiting our Trainee Leadership Committee page.

Our Aim

The aim of the IUBMB Trainee initiative is to provide opportunities for emerging researchers of all levels. That entails access to our network and opportunities for skills development, training resources and a supportive team to help them in their professional and scientific journeys! Accessibility, diversity, and inclusion are most important to us. Whether you have limited access to resources, are a first-generation scientist trying to navigate the world of academia, or face visible and invisible barriers – we want to make the “invisible curriculum” open to everyone who wants to explore the world of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. So, whether you are trying to build a career in academia or outside of it, advance your learning or just explore, we hope to have something for you!

A Message from IUBMB President Professor Alexandra Newton

“Trainees are our future and the best investment we can make is to nourish their interests, provide opportunities for their research, education, and career development, and engage their passion in biochemistry and molecular biology. I am thus thrilled to welcome the leaders of tomorrow to the international biochemistry and molecular biology community. The IUBMB Trainee Initiative is run by trainees for trainees, with the full support of the IUBMB. I thank every member from Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Oceania/Asia for volunteering their time, energy, and ideas to engage trainees around the world and wish them much success as they rise to the challenge of building and shaping the initiative.”
– Alexandra Newton, January 2022.

A Message from our Chair Cathy Cozma

“At the heart of every scientific breakthrough in just about any field in the biosciences, are many passionate and dedicated trainees that work tirelessly to unravel the molecular intricacies of life, find new therapies and develop new technologies that enhance our quality of life.

As Chair of the Trainee Initiative, my goal is to foster a collaborative and engaging environment where emerging biochemists and molecular biologists can thrive, learn from each other and take advantage of the many resources the scientific community around the world has to offer. I believe that supporting trainees, at all stages in their development by providing resources, mentorship, and opportunities for collaboration, is essential for the continued progress of our field. Together with the amazing trainees on the IUBMB TI leadership team, I hope to continue supporting the next generation of scientists in becoming the best version of themselves.”
– Cathy Cozma, PABMB, May 2024.

Messages from our Regional Leaders

“The IUBMB Trainee Initiative in the Asia & Oceania region aims to expose young researchers to the wealth of opportunities available within IUBMB and beyond. We strive to connect with trainees across the region and provide them with the support and resources needed to thrive in their scientific pursuits. We believe that scientific progress should not be hampered by a lack of resources or opportunities. To achieve this, we plan to organize webinars, curate a collection of relevant opportunities and resources, and offer a platform for trainees to network with each other. We are confident that through our initiative’s encouragement, knowledge sharing, and international support network, trainees will be empowered to excel in their careers..”
— Jessie Wong Ling Ai, FAOBMB, May 2024.

“As the leader for Africa in the IUBMB Trainee Initiative (TI) Leadership Committee, I’m focused on improving learning opportunities, collaborations and scientific career paths across Africa. The IUBMB TI is a great place for up-and-coming researchers to connect and grow their understanding of biochemistry and molecular biology (as well as science at large). We want to inspire our peers and other trainees to keep exploring new research avenues and pursue scientific collaboration. With our regular online events, we aim to highlight global talent in biological research and open science. I’m hopeful we can encourage more young people from all African countries to join STEM fields with passion, enthusiasm and confidence. By working together, we’ll make a real difference in each other’s lives and in the world, through the expert scientific discussions we promote both in and outside the laboratory.”
— Aishatu Muhammad Malami, FASBMB, May 2024.

“Looking back on my first encounter with the IUBMB Trainee Initiative (TI) I was still a master’s student, lacking confidence in my skills just starting my scientific journey. The TI gave me a platform to grow my confidence by presenting ideas on its development, greatly enhancing my communication and leadership skills. As a the FEBS Region Leader representing Europe, I strive to provide a helping hand to other early-career scientists struggling with the same issues. I love working with my team, a group of passionate and hard-working individuals. They truly inspire me to be a great regional leader. My goal is to further promote opportunities for early-career researchers by featuring them on our social media platforms. Additionally, I want to highlight the importance of mental health in academia by reaching out to experts. Finally, by collaborating with other organizations, I strive to reduce the gender gap in science. Organizing the TI global online events we have to boost networking opportunities while serving as an educational platform for various research, soft skills, and mental health topics. I believe that by working together, the IUBMB Trainee Initiative is capable of making a real difference, connecting scientists with new exciting opportunities!”
— Mihaela Jovanović, FEBS, May 2024.

“As PABMB region leader for the IUBMB TI Leadership Committee this year, I am excited to be promoting opportunities for trainees internationally and within our region, especially in Central and South America. I am incredibly grateful to be joined by talented and motivated new committee members as we plan events and create resources with the aim of helping trainees explore topics such as non-traditional careers for scientists and multilingualism in science communication. Taking advantage of the connections afforded by virtual gatherings, I hope to help foster a supportive and more representative community of trainees through our work as the TI.”
— Sunnie Kong, PABMB, May 2024.