Regional Young Investigators’ Meetings (RYIM) aim to build local networks of scientists and science professionals with an aim to promote regional collaborations and change. The RYIMs are intended to be Young Investigator (YI) driven endeavours that promote networking in local scientific communities and foster collaborative leadership among YIs in the region.

Importantly, RYIMs are expected to be ​‘no-garland’ events, optimized towards a supportive and collaborative environment for the participants, resource personnel and organisers. RYIMs will ensure diversity and representation across gender and other demographics for participants, speakers, panellists and resource personnel.

The Regional Young Investigators’ Meeting (RYIM) Chennai, will be held from 22 – 24 January 2025, on the scenic, wildlife-rich campus of Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM). The theme of the meeting focuses on the ​‘Future of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences.’ RYIM Chennai is being organised by IIT Madras in partnership with the Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (SRIHER) to bring together clinicians, scientists, young investigators, and allied health professionals to explore advancements in healthcare and interdisciplinary research. 

The RYIM Chennai will be conducted across two days (22 January — 23 January 2025), followed by a workshop, Crafting Your Career (CYC), on 24 January 2025.

Meeting Focus Areas

• Facilitating interactions between Young Investigators (YIs) in the region.

• Strengthening the inter-institutional collaborations among research organisations, medical colleges, and universities

• Human Resource Development: Skill development for leading a research group 

• Funding opportunities and grant writing

• Navigating through challenges faced by early-career biomedical researchers

• Panel discussions and breakout sessions to identify the common interest areas and overcome the hurdles

• Showcasing the faculty and young investigator-initiated biomedical research

RYIM Chennai will focus on critical and emerging areas in medicine and allied health sciences, fostering interdisciplinary discussions and collaborations. Towards this goal, the key focus areas include:

1. Emerging Technologies in Healthcare: Exploring the latest innovations in diagnostics, AI applications, digital health, and personalised medicine transforming healthcare delivery.

2. Breakthroughs in Vaccine Science, Disease Modelling, and Drug Development: Insights into cutting-edge research and advancements in vaccine technologies, new disease modeling techniques, and novel drug development approaches.

3. Precision Medicine and Digital Health: Understanding how personalised healthcare, data-driven technologies, and digital tools revolutionising patient care and treatment strategies are.

4. Public and Allied Health Sciences: Addressing global health challenges and the critical role of public and allied health sciences in driving health outcomes.

5. Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: Discussing the role of AI and machine learning in healthcare, from clinical decision support to predictive analytics and beyond. 

Meeting Format

• Plenary talks
• Keynote talks
• Special abstract talks
• YI talks
• Panel discussions
• Spark your Science: Rapid Fire Talks
• Poster presentations

Meeting workshop

An IndiaBioscience-led Crafting Your Career (CYC) workshop, led by Ankita Rathore and Lakshmi Revathy Perumalsamy.

What’s more in RYIM Chennai? 

RYIM Chennai will feature several exciting events aimed at promoting networking, collaboration, and knowledge sharing:

• Spark Your Science Tournament: This event gives young investigators and postdocs a platform to present their research in a fast-paced, engaging format. Participants will compete by delivering concise, impactful presentations, with the audience voting for the best ones. This tournament provides a unique opportunity for young researchers to gain visibility, showcase their innovative ideas, and receive feedback from peers and senior experts.

• Industry Talks: Leaders from the healthcare, biotechnology, and life sciences industries will deliver talks on the latest technological advancements and their real-world applications. 

• Networking Dinner: The evening will conclude with an elegant Gala Dinner, which will not only provide a relaxed atmosphere for networking but also feature a cultural performance showcasing the region’s rich heritage. 

Who can apply?

RYIM Chennai invites applications from a diverse range of participants who are passionate about advancing healthcare and interdisciplinary research. The meeting is tailored for young investigators and early-career professionals, but it is open to individuals from various backgrounds. The eligibility criteria are as follows:

• Young Investigators and early-career researchers: Individuals who are within the first 5 – 6 years of their independent research careers. This includes those holding faculty, researcher, or similar positions at academic institutions, research organisations, or in the healthcare sector.
• Postdoctoral Researchers: Postdocs who are actively engaged in research related to medicine, health sciences, biotechnology, or allied fields. Participation is encouraged for those interested in pursuing a career in academic research or transitioning into industry roles.
• PhD Students: Advanced doctoral students nearing the completion of their PhD, with a focus on life sciences, medical sciences, public health, biotechnology, or related disciplines, are welcome to apply. This is an opportunity for them to gain insights into career development and present their research.
• Healthcare Professionals and Clinicians: Professionals, including physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals, who are involved in research or are keen to expand their expertise in interdisciplinary medical and health sciences.
• Industry Representatives: Early-career professionals from the healthcare, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries interested in exploring collaborative research opportunities and innovations at the intersection of academia and industry. 
• Scientists on Career Breaks: Researchers who have taken a career break and are seeking to re-enter the scientific or healthcare workforce are encouraged to apply, especially those with a strong interest in pursuing interdisciplinary research collaborations.

Application Requirements:

• A demonstrated interest in interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative research in medicine, health sciences, or allied fields.

• A strong academic or professional background in related areas, with a commitment to advancing healthcare through cutting-edge research.

• Individuals with research aligned with the focus areas of the meeting, such as precision medicine, emerging technologies, digital health, public health, and AI in healthcare.

• If you are not sure about your eligibility, write to us at ryimchennai@​gmail.​com.

Please note that it is not necessary to be YIM alumni to participate in this meeting and there is no age bar for registration. Seats are limited, so please hurry up. 

Registration fees:

Students/​Research Scholars: INR 2500/- (*Early bird: INR 2000/-) 

Postdocs: INR 3500/- (Early bird: INR 3000/-)

Early Career Investigator/​Faculty: INR 5000/- (Early bird: INR 4000/-)

Industry representatives: INR 6000/- (Early bird: INR 5000/-)

Registration fees cover access to the meeting, conference kits, food, and resource materials. It does not include travel and accommodation. 

* Early Bird: Registration Deadline 31 December 2024.

How to Register:

The link to the registration form is provided below. Before you access it, make sure that you have the following items ready:

1. Your CV [Only 2 pages, as PDF]

2. Your poster abstract, if you are planning to present a poster at the meeting [250 words; submit as PDF using this template]

Complete your registration using this link. Once you have submitted your details, it is no longer possible to make changes to the registration form.

Payment Process: After completing the registration form, you will be redirected to the payment page. Please make the payment using the provided link and take a screenshot for your records.

You will receive an automatic confirmation after you submit the form. A copy of the filled form will arrive in your Inbox. No further confirmation is required.

Note: Both payment and registration are mandatory to secure a spot at the meeting. The number of registrations may be capped at 150, on a first-come basis.

Important Dates:

- Early Bird Deadline: 31 December 2024

- Registration Deadline: 20 January 2025

- Notification of Selection for CYC workshop (by email): 5 January 2025

- Notification of Selection for Childcare Grant (by email): 5 January 2025

Childcare Grants:

IndiaBioscience and RYIM Chennai will support up to six participants with Child Care grants (INR 5000/​grant). At the time of registration, please indicate if you want to avail this grant and we will reach out to you to discuss your eligibility.

Abstract and Poster (All attendees are encouraged to submit a poster)

Audience:

Please keep in mind that this is a mixed biology meeting, and many in the audience will not be experts in your subject. Non-scientific personnel will also be in attendance. Design your abstract and poster accordingly.

Content:

An ideal poster would summarise your overall research interests, contain some preliminary data (if relevant) and outline your future directions. If you want to present a study in progress or one that is completed, we suggest that you follow the Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion format. You could otherwise focus on a proposed research direction that you want feedback on or that could attract private investment. Overall, the content of your poster should encourage people to come and interact with you on ideas.

Abstract submission guidelines:

• Use this template 

• 250 word limit

• <Title>, <authors and their affiliations>, <city>, <email ID for contact>

Poster guidelines:

• Should be no more than 3 ft (breadth) * 4 ft (length)

The Crafting Your Career (CYC) workshop by IndiaBioscience will be held from 24 January 2025 at IIT Madras for interested PhD scholars and postdoctoral researchers registered for RYIM Chennai.

Workshop trainers: Ankita Rathore and Lakshmi Revathy Perumalsamy

If you are interested in attending the CYC workshop, please indicate this in the registration form for the meeting. Participants will be selected on a first-come, first-serve basis. IndiaBioscience will aim to include as many participants as possible.

More information on CYC can be found here.

All IndiaBioscience Meetings, Workshops, and Conferences are subject to a Conference Code of Conduct.

IndiaBioscience is dedicated to providing an inclusive and harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, caste, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of event participants in any form. All communication should be appropriate for a professional audience including people of many different backgrounds. We expect participants to follow these rules at all event venues (virtual or physical) and event-related social events.

Speakers and Presenters: Sexual language and imagery are not appropriate for the event venue, including talks and posters. Sexist, racist or exclusionary jokes are not acceptable.

Participants: Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, caste, religion, sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention.

Sponsors: Sponsors are also subject to the anti-harassment policy.

Virtual events: Attendees, Speakers, Trainers and Event Organisers are required to keep all e communications — emails, online presentations, webinar chat/Q&A sessions etc — professional and respectful. As with the physical events, at online seminars/​workshops/​courses and associated correspondence, sexual language/​imagery and harassment are not appropriate and will not be tolerated.

Action: Attendees asked to stop any harassing behaviour are expected to comply immediately. If an attendee engages in behaviour that violates this code of conduct, the conference organisers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender, expelling him or her from the premises with no refund or expelling them from the virtual event (i.e. webinar, workshop, course etc).

Conference staff members are there to help participants contact appropriate authorities, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the conference. We value your attendance.

Contact: If you are harassed, have noticed that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact: ryim@​indiabioscience.​org

License: This Conference Code of Conduct was modified from the Code of Conduct for JSFOO 2014 and Code of Conduct for YIM 2015, available under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License, and the Geek Feminism Wiki, created by the Ada Initiative and volunteers, available under a Creative Commons Zero license.

The Conference Code of Conduct for IndiaBioscience events is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.