CUSO MPS PhD Retreat: Plant Membrane Signaling

25-26 June 2026

Markus Geisler, Lecturer, UNIFR
Francesca Iacobini, PhD Student, UNIFR
Natalie Judkins, PhD Student, UNIFR
Isis Barbosa Carvalho, PhD Student, UNIFR
Bruno Smet, PhD Student, UNIFR

Julia Santiago, Prof., UNIL, CH
Waltrauzd Schulze, University of Hohenhaim, Stuttgart, DE
Michael Wrzaczek, Czech Academy of Sciences in České Budějovice , CZ
Stefanie Ranf, Prof., UNIFR

The Retreat will take place over 1.5 days in the scenic "Schloss Münchenwiler" and will bring together PhD students of the entire MPS Program.

Beside the scientific aspect of "Plant membrane signaling", the main goal of this retreat is to offer an intensive exchange between the students on one hand, and the students and the invited speakers on the other in a relaxed and informal environment.

The meeting will be a combination of talks from the invited speakers (the speakers will beside their scientific topics, also present their career paths, choices and challenges) and selected presentations (oral talks and poster session) from all the participants. This format is accompanied by a roundtable discussion allowing the the students to address their scientific and career questions.

> Flyer and Program (PDF)

Preliminary Program

Thursday June 25
13:00 Arrival in Schloss Münchenwiler, Murten/Morat14:15-14:30 Opening remarks14:30-15:30 First invited speaker15:30-16:00 Coffee break & check-in16:00-17:00 Second invited speaker17:00-19:00 Student talks (followed by first poster session)19:00 Dinner (followed by social activities)

Friday June 26
8:00-9:00 Breakfast & return room keys9:00-10:00 Third invited speaker10:00-10:30 Coffee break10:30-12:00 Student talks & second poster session12:00-13:00 Lunch13:00-14:00 Fourth invited speaker14:00-14:15 Coffee break14:15-15:00 Roundtable discussion15:00 Closing remarks & poster prizes

Schloss Münchenwiler, Münchenwiler, Fribourg, CH

Deadline for abstract submission: 29.05.26

*** Guidelines for Submission of Abstracts ***

General Requirements:
- Language: English
- Word limit: 200–300 words
- Font: Arial
- Line spacing: 1.5
- Submit as: Word file

Title and Authors:
- Title: max. 20 words
- Authors: Full names (First name, Last name)
- Affiliations (institution, city, country)
- Indicate presenting author with *

Non references needed!

Accomodation is covered by the CUSO.

Reimbursements for CUSO MPS Students:
Train ticket, 2°class, half-fare from your institution to the place of the activity

Reimbursement of your travel tickets can be asked online through your MyCUSO. See HERE for the procedure.

For any question concerning reimbursement please contact the CUSO MPS coordinator Debora Zoia

Deadline for registration: 29.05.26

* For cancelations after the deadline of registration or no-show: 100 CHF administrative fee

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