Young Researcher and Innovator Conference Grant - Report from Tim Ravnjak

Conference title: 23rd International Congress of the European Society of Toxicology In Vitro (ESTIV 2026)
Conference web-page: https://www.estiv.org/congress2026/
Conference venue: Maastricht Exhibition & Congress Centre (MECC), Forum 100, 6229 GV Maastricht, The Netherlands

During the ESTIV 2026 conference, I presented a poster, titled: “Comparative analysis of cellular responses to selected carcinogens in 3D HepG2 monoculture and HepG2/Kupffer cell co-culture models”. The conference provided a valuable opportunity to present my research to an international audience and receive valuable feedback from experts working in toxicology, advanced in vitro models and on New Approach Methodologies (NAMs). One aspect of the conference that I really appreciated was that posters remained on display throughout the entire event, rather than only during a designated poster session. This format allowed for continuous discussions and increased opportunities for interaction with fellow researchers. As a result, my poster attracted considerable interest and led to several engaging conversations, not only about the specific findings presented but also about broader challenges and future directions in the development and application of complex hepatic 3D cell models, which were not only closed to academic circles, but also to researchers from the industry (Beiersdorf, Unilever, L’Oreal). These discussions allowed me to connect with researchers working on similar scientific questions, as well as with groups developing advanced liver models and related methodologies, which is also one of the pillars of the research group I work in. Exchanging ideas and experiences with experts from different institutions definitively provided valuable perspectives that will help shape my future research.

Overall, attending ESTIV 2026 was a highly valuable experience. In addition to disseminating my research, the conference enabled me to establish new professional connections within the scientific community. I hope these contacts will lead to future scientific collaborations and contribute to the continued development of my research in the field of in vitro genetic toxicology.