Engaging Young Researchers

Engaging Young Researchers in the BEHIND-MS Project: A Path to Advancing MS Research

Posted on May 16, 2025  •  5 minutes  • 933 words

At the heart of the BEHIND-MS project is an innovative collaboration involving young researchers and students, whose contributions are playing a crucial role in advancing our understanding of multiple sclerosis (MS). The project’s commitment to involving young minds is shaping the future of MS research, allowing for new ideas, fresh perspectives, and cutting-edge technologies to be integrated into this critical field.

Here’s how the BEHIND-MS project is engaging young researchers and inspiring the next generation of scientific leaders.

Empowering young researchers: Innovation and inspiration

Young researchers are central to the BEHIND-MS project, taking on essential roles in data collection, analysis, and the implementation of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence. These researchers are not just contributing to the scientific progress of the project but are also documenting their experiences, offering a unique perspective through self-narration devices. Their involvement goes beyond research; they help tell the story of scientific discovery, bridging the gap between innovation and personal experience.

Why is engaging young researchers so important? Their fresh ideas, energy, and expertise with emerging technologies are invaluable in advancing MS research. Young minds bring innovative solutions to complex scientific problems, accelerating the pace of discovery and enhancing the quality of research. By involving young researchers, the BEHIND-MS project fosters a creative and dynamic environment that propels the study of MS forward.

Supporting young careers: Growth and networking

The BEHIND-MS project offers significant support for young researchers, providing them with a platform to showcase their work, share challenges, and celebrate successes. By collaborating within an international consortium, young researchers gain access to state-of-the-art resources, develop vital skills, and build professional networks that will be instrumental throughout their careers. This exposure helps young researchers increase their visibility in the scientific community, an essential step for anyone looking to make a lasting impact in the world of MS research. The initiative also extends to young students, inspiring them to pursue careers in neuroscience and related fields. Through the BEHIND-MS project’s various activities, such as teaching courses and PhD training sessions, students are introduced to the complexities of MS, particularly the role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the disease’s progression. These educational experiences provide a deep dive into the intersection of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, highlighting the critical role of B cells in MS pathology. It also presents students with the exciting possibility of contributing to groundbreaking research on EBV and MS.

The BEHIND-MS documentary and introduction of the project at PhD course

One of the key ways the BEHIND-MS project engages young researchers is through the development of a short documentary that tells the story of their journey within this project. Led by CNR through Dr. Alessandro Taloni, the documentary aims to inspire future generations of researchers by emphasizing the importance of scientific collaboration, perseverance, and passion. Offering a unique opportunity to combine three different perspectives through the eyes of young researchers: clinical, basic research, and the scientific future of Europe. By showcasing the human side of research, it encourages students and aspiring researchers to pursue their curiosity, engage in international collaborations, and innovate in the face of scientific challenges.

The documentary, filmed using self-narration techniques, will provide an immersive view into the lives of young researchers, directly confronting their aspirations and the precariousness that inevitably characterizes the early stages of a scientist’s career. Different themes based on nationality, social background, and scientific field will be explored through the engaging medium of storytelling, highlighting the strong congruences that characterize scientific activity, even on an intimate and personal level. This approach allows these specific themes to emerge from the laboratories and present themselves in their universality.

The documentary will take a year to prepare and will aim to inspire young researchers to be fully engaged in impactful research projects.

In parallel, at the University of Verona , the BEHIND-MS project was introduced by Prof. Roberta Magliozzi to PhD students earlier this March, aiming to further enhance the learning experience for young students. In the course, students explored the complex relationship between EBV and MS, focusing on the critical role of B cells in disease progression. By participating in discussions and reviewing recent research on EBV and MS, students gained a deeper understanding of the disease’s underlying mechanisms, and the course helped in inspiring them to pursue further research in this vital area. The presentation of the BEHIND-MS project has been a great success among the PhD students. They participated with several questions and they expressed interest in the potential future results of the study. The team at the university of Verona therefore intends to organize a further similar event for graduate and post-graduate students at the University of Verona at the end of the 5 years grant aiming to show the results of the project. The specific aim is to select Benedetta Bellini, who is currently pursuing her PhD project by studying EBV in MS, as speaker.

Looking ahead - Empowering the next generation

Young researchers and students are driving innovation in the BEHIND-MS project, bringing fresh ideas, new technologies, and energy that advance our understanding of MS and support the development of better treatments. In return, the project offers them valuable experience, professional growth, and international networking opportunities—preparing them to lead the next generation of MS research.

By fully involving young talent, BEHIND-MS fosters a dynamic, inclusive research environment that accelerates scientific progress and inspires future innovation. The knowledge gained, technologies developed, and collaborations formed will leave a lasting mark on MS research. Moving forward, the project will continue to highlight the critical contributions of young researchers, reinforcing our shared commitment to improving the lives of people with MS.