The Erlangen Meeting on last september was very successful, with more than 100 participants, who gave 62 oral talks and presented 30 posters. After that, and following the tradition to have Meetings every other year, we should soon moving to organize the XVI Meeting on autumn 2026. A call for possible candidatures for the 2026 Meeting will be launched on the next months.

On 2025, we will support two awards for young speakers at the FASEB SRC “Lipid Mediators: Advancements and Approaches”, to be held at Malahide, Ireland, Sept. 7 – 11 (see https://events.faseb.org/event/lipid-mediators/summary). Moreover, we are going to organize the Symposium “Crosstalk between sphingolipid signalling and neurodegeneration“ at the  joint ESN-HSN Meeting in Naxos, Greece, on  May 28-31 (see https://www.hsfn.gr).

2025 FEBS/SPHINGOLIPID BIOLOGY MEETING IN VARNA

Among the events related to Sphingolipids, we are pleased to announce also the FEBS Special Meeting “Sphingolipid Biology: breaking boundaries” to be held in Varna, Bulgaria, on May 25-30, 2025 (see https://sphingolipidbiology2025.febsevents.org/).

OPEN CALL TO SUPPORT PHD STUDENTS MOVING TO AN OUTSIDE LABORATORY FOR SHORT INTERNSHIPS

PhD students who will move for a short term internship (3-9 months) to a laboratory outside their own country may apply to get a travel support ranging from a minimum of 500 € to a maximum of 2500 €. The amount of such supports will be evaluated by the Sphingolipid Club staff, depending on the stage duration and the country selected. For the next year the call is open and has no deadline.

The applicant, who should be an active junior Member of the Club for 2025,  must send an email to info@sphingolipidclub.com, indicating the length and the starting date of the stage, and adding: a) a letter signed by his/her PhD mentor, certificating his/her status as a PhD student, b) a letter of acceptance of the head of the hosting laboratory, c) a short CV, with a minimum of two publications, including posters, or oral presentations at international Meetings.

The acceptance of the travel award and the relative amount will be communicated by the Sphingolipid Club not later that one month after having received the applicant email. For further information, address your enquiries to info@sphingolipidclub.com. The official announcement will be soon posted on our website, at www.sphingolipidclub.com, but the call is open since now.

SEARCHING FOR A PHD POSITION

Doğuhan Yalım, a promising young turkish scientist, wrote to the Sphingolipid Club asking for a PhD position in an European or American laboratory. If interested, you could contact directly Doğuhan at doguhanyalimm@gmail.com.

MYLES CABOT RETIREMENT

Next year, the Sphingolipid Club accounts for 25 years of life. Thus, it is physiological that some of the Members has reached the age limit for retirement. On last years some of us have reached this important life milestone, but they still are present and active in the Club. Among them, if we are correct,  Tim Cox, Al Merrill, Christoph Arenz, Paola Bruni, Riccardo Ghidoni and, more recently, Marco Presta, Gerhild Van Echten and Thierry Levade. Few months ago, it has been added also our honorary Member Myles Cabot, who sent us an affectionate email, that is reported here below:

“Dear Riccardo, Please, if possible, send an email to the SLC members letting them know that I have retired, and if needed I can be reached at mylescabot@gmail.com. I have enjoyed my 54 years in lipids, so at 76 years of age it is time to relax at the beach, read best selling novels, and enjoy Peggy’s cooking…and grandchildren. Take care. All the best. Ciao for now. Baci. Abrazos. Myles”

The Sphingolipid Club wishes the best for the present and future life of our great friend Myles.

FRAUDOLENT EMAILS

It happens periodically, even not frequently, that some Members of the Sphingolipid Club receive fraudolent emails asking for money or other utilities, with the false signature of our President. All our Members should know that that the only official email address of the Club is info@sphingolipid.com. Unfortunately, it is not easy to get exempt from such fake contacts. Please, inform the Club if you receive further fraudolent communications.

ISN COUNCIL MEMBERS ELECTIONS

The International Society for Neurochemistry (ISN) has generously supported our last two meetings, and we are deeply grateful for their contributions. Soon, ISN will open the nomination process for the 2025–2026 Council Members. We are pleased to announce that one of our esteemed Club members, Erhard Bieberich, is among the candidates for the Council. We strongly encourage all SLC members who are also ISN members to support his candidacy. Having a top-level scientist specializing in sphingolipids on the Council is a unique opportunity to enhance the visibility and support for our scientific activities. Please note that only current ISN members are eligible to vote.  Those who are Members of the European Society for Neurochemistry are allowed to get free Membership also to the ISN. You can find out more and join ISN through the following ink https://www.neurochemistry.org/  Thank you for your support!

RENEWAL OF THE MEMBERSHIP TO THE SPHINGOLIPID CLUB

Finally, and most important! All our Members whose Membership to the Club is going to expire on December 2024 are warmly invited to extend their subscription for the next two years. Related infos can be found on our website at the “Become a Member” submenu. Remember that the subscription as Members is mandatory for the survival of the Club.

THE SPHINGOLIPID CLUB STAFF WISHES TO ALL THE MEMBERS AND TO THEIR FAMILIES GREAT WINTER HOLIDAYS AND A SERENE AND FRUITFUL NEW YEAR!