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The HUPO Early Career Researcher (ECR) Committee is excited to present this    year’s Poster Competition sponsored by Pelago Bioscience.

All graduate students (Master’s and PhD), as well as postdoctoral researchers, are invited to participate in the HUPO 2026 poster competition taking place on September 27 - October 1, 2026 in Singapore.

To participate, graduate students and postdocs simply need to indicate in their abstract submission that they would like to participate in the competition. This can be done by clicking the appropriate box while completing your submission. Posters in each trainee category (graduate students and postdocs) will be pre-selected based on quality, novelty, and potential impact of their abstracts. The authors of selected posters will be notified prior to the conference. Cash prizes of $500 will be awarded to the winner and $300 to two runners-up.

All early career proteomics researchers are invited to participate!

Best of luck to all!

Proudly sponsored by: Pelago Bioscience

 

At HUPO 2025, the HUPO Education and Training Committee (ETC) delivered three pre-congress training sessions, each organized and chaired by  internationally recognized experts and designed to address different but complementary aspects of modern proteomics.

Session1: Exploring Protein Post-Translational Modifications (PTMs)

This session introduced contemporary strategies for studying protein post-translational modifications, with an emphasis on practical workflows, clinical sample preparation, and emerging directions in PTM and glycoproteomics research. Dr. Hu Zhou (Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, CAS, China) provides in-depth guidance on PTMomics sample preparation, with a strong focus on practical considerations and best practices for clinical tumor samples. Dr. Nick Riley (University of Washington, USA) walks participants through a comprehensive glycoproteomics workflow and outlines emerging directions in glycoproteomics research. Together, the session highlights modern mass spectrometry–based strategies, key technical challenges, and future opportunities in PTM-focused proteomics, equipping students with actionable knowledge and a broader perspective on PTM biology and disease mechanisms. The session was chaired by Dr. Shixia Huang (Baylor College of Medicine) and Dr. Yansheng Liu (Yale University).

Session 2: Mastering Computational Proteomics

The three talks collectively emphasized that although proteomics now produces vast amounts of LC–MS/MS data, its full potential—particularly for experiment planning and AI-driven discovery—remains restricted by inconsistent metadata and technical variability across datasets. Dr. Deepti Jaiswal Kundu (EMBL-EBI) highlighted how standards such as the Sample and Data Relationship Format (SDRF) enable datasets to become machine-readable and reproducible, helping transform repositories like PRIDE and MassIVE from passive archives into genuinely reusable scientific resources. Dr. Tine Claeys (VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology) reinforced this message from an AI perspective, showing that meaningful, consistent annotation is essential for training reliable models such as MLMarker, and revealing how missing information, batch effects, and format inconsistencies silently undermine large-scale data reuse. Dr. Brian Searle (Mayo Clinic, USA) then demonstrated how deep learning tools such as Prosit can harmonize fragmented datasets into a shared coordinate framework, enabling the training of more generalizable models and unlocking the value of legacy experiments. Together, the talks made a compelling case that rigorous metadata standards and data harmonization are fundamental to robust data reuse and biologically meaningful AI in proteomics. The session was chaired by Dr. Deepti Jaiswal Kundu (EMBL-EBI, UK) and Dr. Giuseppe Palmisano (University of São Paulo, Brazil)

Session 3: Single-Cell Proteomics - Emerging Technologies and Translational Applications

The three talks collectively emphasized that single-cell proteomics is rapidly becoming a practical engine for resolving cellular heterogeneity and enabling precision medicine, driven by parallel advances in sample preparation, mass spectrometry, and computational analysis. Dr. Claudia Ctortecka (Broad Institute, USA) underscored that “precision starts with preparation,” walking through experimental design, randomization, QC, and workflow automation—highlighting ultra-sensitive acquisition strategies (including timsTOF Ultra2) that can quantify thousands of proteins per single cell and extend to low-cell-count tissue regions. Dr. Olga Vitek (Northeastern University, USA) reinforced that translation depends on robust statistics: she dissected how biological/technical variation, unbalanced designs, and uncertain cell-type labels can mislead differential analysis and provided practical recommendations for cell-type annotation and modeling choices that improve accuracy. Dr. Ana Konvalinka (University Health Network/University of Toronto, Canada) then connected these capabilities to clinical impact, illustrating how single-cell, tissue, and spatial proteomics can illuminate immune–parenchymal interactions, explain disease heterogeneity, and inform precision monitoring and future trial design. Together, the session made a clear case that scalable, reproducible end-to-end workflows spanning careful sample handling, appropriate statistical inference, and clinically grounded interpretation are essential for bringing single-cell proteomics into real-world translational and clinical use. The session was co-chaired by Dr. Ana Konvalinka (University Health Network/University of Toronto, Canada) and Dr. Lin Qingsong (National University of Singapore).

Summary of Participant Survey Results

Overall Summary

A total of 46 participants completed the post-congress survey across the three HUPO 2025 ETC pre-congress training sessions. Overall feedback was highly positive, with the large majority of respondents indicating that they would recommend the sessions to colleagues (40/46 Agree or Strongly Agree) and that they were interested in attending future HUPO ETC training events (40/46 Agree or Strongly Agree). Participants consistently valued the balance of conceptual grounding and practical insight, particularly where sessions addressed real-world challenges in experimental design, data interpretation, and emerging technologies. Qualitative comments emphasized the importance of expert-led instruction, clear workflows, and training that directly supports reproducibility and data reuse in proteomics research.

Session-Specific Survey Results

Exploring Protein Post-Translational Modifications (PTMs):

12 respondents completed the survey for this session. Feedback was uniformly positive, with respondents highlighting the practical guidance on PTMomics sample preparation, especially for clinical tumor specimens, and the clear, end-to-end overview of glycoproteomics workflows. Participants particularly valued the combination of hands-on considerations with forward-looking perspectives on PTM biology and disease mechanisms. Interest in future HUPO ETC training was very strong among this group, reflecting demand for structured, student-focused PTM education.

Mastering Computational Proteomics:

A total of 26 respondents identified this session (including minor duplicate session labels). Participants consistently emphasized the importance of metadata standards, data harmonization, and reproducibility as key take-home messages. Respondents noted that the session effectively clarified why inconsistent annotation and technical variability limit large-scale data reuse and AI-driven discovery, and they appreciated concrete examples involving SDRF, PRIDE/MassIVE, ML-based modeling, and deep-learning tools such as Prosit. The session was viewed as particularly valuable for trainees planning to work with large or legacy proteomics datasets.

Single-Cell Proteomics: Technologies and Applications:

7 respondents completed the survey for this session. Feedback indicated strong appreciation for the session’s clear evaluation of current single-cell proteomics technologies, including strengths, limitations, and appropriate use cases. Participants valued the balanced discussion of technical performance, data quality considerations, and biological interpretation, which helped them critically assess when and how single-cell proteomics approaches can be effectively applied. Several respondents noted that the session improved their ability to evaluate experimental design choices and technology readiness, rather than simply learning tool-specific workflows. Overall satisfaction was high, and respondents expressed interest in additional ETC offerings that similarly emphasize critical evaluation and practical decision-making in emerging proteomics technologies.

Register Now!

Join the HUPO Early Career Researcher Committee for an engaging webinar:

Maximizing the Impact of your Abstract and Keywords

March 4th | 16:00 GMT
Hear from international expert:
Reegan Burnell-Clarke – Taylor & Francis Commissioning Editor 

Join Reegan Burnell-Clarke (Taylor & Francis Commissioning Editor) for a short session on "Maximising the impact of your abstract and keywords" to learn how these elements can make or break your research's discoverability and impact. 

Discover how to craft a precise compelling title, write a concise and self-contained abstract, and strategically use effective keywords to maximize visibility and engagement. This session is well-suited for researchers striving to maximize the reach and influence of their scholarly contributions and will be followed by an opportunity for question and answers.

Register today to secure your spot:  https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ipliwe8DSCWcxwsc8Et5DQ

The HUPOST January 2026 issue is here!

Featuring: Congress Updates, ECR Highlights & Much More!

HUPOST January 2026: Congress Updates, ECR Highlights & Much More: https://conta.cc/49G7Clq

The ECR Committee is pleased to welcome new members from all over the world. They will play key organizing roles in ECR activities such as mentoring sessions, networking events, online panel discussions, competitions, and more. Read their short biographies  to get to know more about them.

Ankit Biswas is an Integrated MSc-PhD candidate at UNESCO-Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology, India. His research focuses on the conjunction between placental molecular markers in maternal plasma for early detection and maintenance of preterm birth. Further, elucidating the marker's mechanistic function in adverse pregnancy outcomes using advanced proteomic platforms. He is largely interested in exploring the field of reproductive biology employing new generation proteomic tools to bridge the knowledge gap between clinical outcome and molecular mechanism.

Moreover, as a member of proteomic society, India he has been a part of outreach programs for proteomics training in India. Ankit greatly looks forward to becoming a part of the HUPO-ECR community to actively contribute to the initiatives that support early-career researchers and foster dynamic interdisciplinary collaboration.

 Beata Szeitz (Bea) is a postdoctoral fellow in the Fenyo Lab at NYU Langone Health. She earned her PhD from Semmelweis University in Hungary, focusing on lung cancer proteomics. Her research addresses biologically and clinically driven questions in cancer using bioinformatic approaches. In her postdoctoral work, she studies the role of LINE-1 retrotransposon in small cell lung cancer. Bea is glad to become a member of the HUPO-ECR and looks forward to contributing to its activities.

 Mayara Silva (Maya) is a senior PhD candidate in Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Guelph, Canada. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy and her Master’s degree in fungal biology/medical mycology at the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Brazil. Throughout her academic journey, Mayara has been actively engaged in science communication initiatives, reflecting her commitment to connecting science with broader audiences.

Her research focuses on the application of mass spectrometry–based proteomics to investigate host–pathogen protein–protein interactions, with the aim of advancing our understanding of infectious disease development. By integrating clinical training with foundational biological research, she is particularly interested in translational science and in developing proteomics-based approaches to elucidate the interplay between immune responses and pathogen virulence factors.

Mayara is enthusiastic about joining the HUPO ECR Committee and looks forward to actively contributing to initiatives that support and empower early-career researchers within the global proteomics community.

Ragini Bhalla is a PhD candidate at Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), and is affiliated with the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the National University of Singapore (NUS). Her research examines how pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) establishes an immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment that impairs CD8⁺ T-cell function. She leverages mass spectrometry-based proteomics, phosphoproteomics, and secretome profiling to study tumour-immune crosstalk and identify key dysfunctional pathways underlying impaired immune responses.

Her broader interests lie at the intersection of cancer biology and immunology, with a particular emphasis on applying high-resolution proteomics to uncover mechanisms of immune dysfunction and inform the rational design of next-generation immunotherapies.

Ragini looks forward to joining the HUPO-ECR community and actively contributing to initiatives that support early-career researchers and encourage interdisciplinary exchange.

Viviane Reber is a PhD student at the Institute of Molecular Systems Biology at ETH in Zurich, Switzerland. She works on developing and applying methods like limited proteolysis coupled to mass spectrometry (LiP-MS) and in vivo proximity labeling to understand the role of dynamic protein structures and how small molecules interact with protein targets. Her early work included a Master's thesis focused on Parkinson’s disease, specifically investigating how alpha-synuclein interacts with mitochondrial regulators of ATP homeostasis. Now she works on the characterization of chemical probes using multimodal proteomics with a focus on kinase inhibitors as part of the public-private partnership EUbOPEN.

Viviane joined the HUPO-ECR in October 2025 and is excited to continue to support and empower young researchers.

The HUPO Early Career Researcher (ECR) Committee is pleased to  announce a call for the HUPO ECR Manuscript Competition, sponsored by Taylor and Francis, at HUPO 2026, which will take place September 27 - October 1, in Singapore. The Manuscript Competition is a unique opportunity for early career researchers to gain visibility in the proteomics community, as it serves as a platform to highlight the invaluable contributions that postdoctoral fellows, young clinicians, and junior faculty members make to the proteomics field.

We encourage early career proteomics researchers to participate in this competition with an already published or accepted manuscript during the 2025 and 2026 calendar years. Three finalists will be selected to present their publications in a dedicated plenary session at HUPO 2026, where an expert committee will evaluate oral presentations to determine the “Proteomics Highlight of the Year” by an ECR.

Eligibility criteria: This competition is intended for:

● Postdoctoral fellows (Ph.D. degree awarded post January 2020),

● Junior faculty members (appointment post January 2022 and PhD awarded post January 2014), and

● Young clinicians (M.D. degree awarded post January 2019).

● Applicants must be HUPO members.

● Career interruptions and leave, such as parental leave, will be considered to extend the eligibility period.

● Finalists from previous years are not eligible to participate.

Publication criteria:

● The applicant must have contributed significantly to the publication as the first or last (or shared first/last) author.

● The publication must be an original research article.

● Review articles will not be considered for this competition.

● The publication must have been accepted or printed for publication at the time of submission for the competition but must not have been published before January 1, 2025.

● Manuscripts that were posted on bioRxiv and other pre-print servers prior to publication will be considered (i.e., prior to January 1, 2025).

● The publication must be written in English.

How to Apply: A complete application must include the documents listed below. Send completed applications by email to ecr@hupo.org.

1. Single publication file as a pdf (including the supplementary information if it applies)

2. A short statement (300 words maximum) in which the applicant describes the novelty and impact of the publication on the field of proteomics.

3. Evidence of HUPO membership (e.g., screenshot of HUPO membership or member ID)

Prize: Awards will be presented during the Closing Ceremony & Awards Session at HUPO 2026. Cash prizes (USD 1,000 to winner and USD 500 each to two runners-up) will be provided post-Congress.

The HUPOST December 2025 issue is here!

In a crowd hungry for knowledge, an intense poster competition has taken place. The contest has never been this close. Please welcome the winners of the ECR Poster  Competition 2025! Our two champions and six runners-up should be proud of their outstanding presentations.

This year’s participants left the HUPO World Congress with honourable certificates and winners received prizes sponsored by Pelago Bioscience. Congratulations to all, and we look forward to seeing new rising stars at HUPO 2026 in Singapore! 

Students:

Winner

 

Daniel Davoudpour, Masters Student

University Of Toronto, Canada

Affinity-purification mass spectrometry (AP-MS) and kinase inhibitor screens identify phosphorylation-mediated regulation of αT-catenin at the cardiomyocyte intercalated disc.

Runner-up

 

Marion Pang, PhD student

California Institute of Technology, United States

Marker-guided Spatial Proteomics by LMD-ScP Captures Single-Cell Identity and Heterogeneity of the Nervous System

Runner-up

 

Kathrin Korff, PhD student

Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Germany

Sample handling shapes the signal: workflow bias in plasma proteomics.

Runner-up

Martin Gesell, PhD student

ETH Zurich, Switzerland

Specialized T Cell Receptor Nanoscale Communities Define Subset Diversity of Primary Human T Cell Subsets.

Post-Docs:

Winner

 

Marc Oeller, Postdoctoral Fellow

Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Germany

Resolving the Heterogeneity of Protein Inclusions in Parkinson’s Disease by Deep Visual Proteomics

Runner-up

 

Ana Montero, Postdoctoral Fellow

Instituto De Salud Carlos Iii, Spain

In depth-analysis of Alzheimer’s disease brain tissue reveals novel Aβ interactors

Runner-up

 

Loren Méar,Postdoctoral Fellow

Uppsala University, Sweden

Spatial proteomics uncovers structural and molecular complexity of the human ovary in 2D and 3D.

Runner-up

 

Ulises H. Guzman, Postdoctoral Fellow

NNF Centre For Protein Research, ICMM, UCPH, Denmark

A Scalable FFPE tissue Workflow for High-Throughput and Sensitive Spatial Proteomics

HUPO ECR Poster Competition prizes sponsored by Pelago Bioscience. 

The 3MT Competition at HUPO was a truly inspiring showcase of creativity, clarity,  and scientific communication. Twelve PhD students embraced the challenge of presenting their complex research in just three minutes, using only one static slide and speaking as if to a lay audience. Their ability to distil intricate proteomics topics into accessible, engaging presentations was remarkable, demonstrating impressive precision, confidence, and dedication. The session captivated everyone in the room and highlighted the strength of the next generation of researchers. A standout moment came from Ruxandra Bighiu, who captivated the audience with the fascinating world of hearing proteins.”

Winner

 

Ruxandra Bighiu, University Of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

The Hidden Machinery of Hearing: A Deep Dive into Hearing Proteins 

Runner-up

 

Caroline Weiss, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, München, Germany

Mapping the Protein Landscape of the Human Body

Runner-up

 

Carla-Marie Jurkovic, Université De Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada

Uncovering the hidden mechanics of DNA repair to fight cancer

           

All prizes are sponsored by Mass Dynamics and will be awarded post-congress: $500 for the Winner and $300 each for two Runners-up, plus an annual subscription to Mass Dynamics software for the Winner and both Runners-up.