Reflections on in-person LRI Spring Meeting
The ninth annual Leprosy Research Initiative Spring Meeting was held on 17-19 April 2024 in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. This in-person event brought together nearly 100 attendees from 25 countries, including LRI-funded researchers, LRI committee members, partners of LRI, representatives of collaborating organisations, and other attendees with a particular interest in leprosy research.
The Spring Meeting is an important event for presenting and discussing progress and results from ongoing LRI-funded research projects and a platform for shared learning and networking. Dr. Suzan Trienekens, Coordinator of LRI shares: “It is an absolute honour to organise this event for the LRI community. Although we are diverse across disciplines and countries, expertise and experience, we share the strong commitment to elimination of leprosy and NTDs through impactful research. You can really feel the buzz of sharing of insights, the forming of new connections and the strengthening of collaborations at the LRI Spring Meeting.”
The two and half days were filled with scientific presentations, interactive break-out sessions, and networking opportunities. In total, 39 progress presentations were given on ongoing projects covering all five LRI research priorities, including from the two new research capacity strengthening grant awardees. Additionally, Dr Subbanna Jonnalagada (WHO Global Leprosy Programme) and Dr Wim van Brakel (NLR) gave the keynote presentation on the global leprosy situation and progress towards interruption of transmission and elimination. Plenary presentations were also given by several LRI collaborating organisations on their invaluable work towards our shared aim of beating leprosy and NTDs. On Friday morning, participants attended break-out sessions on topics of their preference including research impact, endpoints for clinical trials, and stakeholders speed dating, all sparking lively discussions and new connections.
The LRI Spring Meeting marked another special moment
LRI’s Director, Linda Hummel and Iñigo Lasa, Anesvad Foundation’s General Director, signed the agreement for the RESILIENTD grant, solidifying the commitment to foucall for proposals. The RESILIENTD grant, funded by Anesvad Foundation and managed by LRI, is developed to better understand social determinants of health within the context of skin NTDs, including leprosy, with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa. We hope funding RESILIENTD research projects will accelerate and strengthen efforts to combat these often-overlooked diseases and the persons affected. We are looking forward to the outcomes of the first RESILIENTD call coming December and are working hard behind
the scenes to support meaningful contributions to the control of skin-NTDs in the years ahead.
We look back on an inspiring LRI Spring Meeting 2024, also reflected in the overwhelmingly positive feedback from the participants: “Every year the different aspects of leprosy covered during the LRI Spring Meeting give a very good impression of why leprosy research is still necessary and relevant.” “A powerful forum with a very talented and committed group of people.”
We will review participants’ suggestions and look forward to welcome you at the next LRI Spring Meeting!
Online ‘Highlights of LRI Spring Meeting’ event coming on May 30th
Last year, LRI hosted the online "Highlights of LRI Spring Meeting" event for the first time, and after its success in reaching global audiences, the webinar is returning!
On May 30th, from 14:00 to 16:30 CEST, the "Highlights of LRI Spring Meeting 2024” will take place to allow for global participation and share important findings from LRI funded projects. The event will include the showcasing of selected project progress presentations from the in-person meeting and a special session on LRI research impact.
The event is open to everyone with an interest in leprosy research, and participation is completely free-of-charge. During the webinar, the possibility to ask the presenters questions will be given, so don’t miss out!
To register your interest in the event, please complete the registration form, and you will receive the meeting link. Further event details and the program will soon be available on the LRI website and LinkedIn channel, as well as through newsletter updates.
We are excited to welcome you online soon!
