Dear UV4Plants community,
Thanks to the generous support of the UV4Plants bursary and the ESP, I had the opportunity to attend the 21st Congress of the European Society for Photobiology (ESP) (https://www.photobiology.eu/esp-2025-congress-bari), which took place in Bari (Italy) from August 24th to 28th, 2025. The event brought together researchers from across Europe and beyond, creating a lively space to share the latest advances in photobiology.
Three sessions were particularly interesting for me: “Plant UV Photobiology” led by Gareth Jenkins, “UV radiation and climate effects through the lens of the Environmental Effects Assessment Panel” chaired by Janet Bornman, and “Precision Photobiology: Tailoring Light Environments in Controlled Environment Agriculture” driven by Matt Jones, because they connect directly to the core of my postdoctoral project at Örebro University (Sweden) (https://www.oru.se/personal/lara_garcia-campa).
I also had the chance to present my own work with a talk during the congress, as the recipient of the ESP Best Ph.D Thesis Award i
n the plant photobiology area. My project explores UV-B-mediated acclimation to high-light stress in Norway spruce and Scots pine, the two most economically important conifer species in Sweden and across Scandinavia. The feedback I received was very constructive and encouraging, and the discussions with experienced researchers were both insightful and motivating.
This was my first time attending this meeting, and the experience exceeded my expectations. The talks were diverse, inspiring, and highly relevant, ranging from molecular mechanisms to ecological implications, and providing me with fresh ideas for my own research.
The meeting offered a wonderful opportunity to connect with the community. I really appreciated the open, friendly atmosphere, which made it easy to exchange ideas, ask questions, and establish potential future collaborations. And of course, Bari was a beautiful backdrop for the congress. A city full of history, charm, and great food!
Overall, this conference was a meaningful step in my development as a researcher. I’m very grateful to UV4Plants for making this experience possible through the travel grant, and I look forward to staying involved in the network in the future.
All the best,
Lara García Campa