The first Training Event of the project took place in Valencia from 9 to 13 February 2026 at IATA-CSIC. It was a special milestone for the network, as it was the first time the doctoral candidates met in person and the whole consortium gathered together.
During the first three days, Doctoral Candidates attended inspiring lectures covering colloidal science, statistics, polymer science, nutrition, machine learning, open science, ethics, and sensory science. These sessions built a common scientific ground while fostering lively interdisciplinary discussions between candidates and lecturers.
The fourth day was dedicated to a poster session, where doctoral candidates presented and discussed their individual research projects with the consortium. They also met with their Scientific Advisory Committees to develop a Personal Career Development Plan tailored to their ambitions and research paths.
Before the closing dinner, the group enjoyed a city tour of Valencia, creating a relaxed setting that encouraged interactions, strengthened connections, and helped build new relationships across the network.
The event concluded with a convivial dinner featuring Spanish cuisine, providing the perfect ending to a productive and memorable week and reinforcing the sense of community within the project.
We are already looking forward to the next Training Event.
