Hannah Song, PhD
Contributing Editor, ISCT Telegraft
National Institutes of Health
United States
It is my great honor and privilege to write to you today as a newly-minted Telegraft Editorial Board member! I’ve been part of the ISCT community for 5 years and involved in cell and gene therapy for almost 10 years, as well as an avid reader of Telegraft and Cytotherapy publications. I’m excited to help spread the news and build community through the Telegraft feature, designed to help members connect to each other and ISCT resources.
My first introduction to ISCT was the 2022 Annual Meeting in San Francisco, California. I had never been to a meeting with such a translational focus. The roundtables were exciting and full of energy. My oral abstract on bioreactor technologies had a packed room full of attendees. At the time I was working mainly on CAR-T cells, and attended pretty much only sessions related to CAR-T. What a fool I was! Since then, I’ve made it a point to explore sessions more broadly and have learned a tremendous amount this way.
Though sometimes, it’s just not possible to attend the ISCT meeting in person which can feel disappointing, especially as I see excitement build throughout the society for ISCT 2026. The fear of missing out (FOMO) is real! However, I have learned first-hand the benefits that the society offers year-round, beyond the annual meeting. If you're like me, and this is not a year you can attend the annual meeting, let’s take stock about ways you can participate in ISCT year-round.
A perfect place to start is to check out the recording of this recent Industry webinar. It not only goes over the Industry pillars but the entire society, including the Scientific and Regulatory Pillars, including what their committees are focused on throughout the year. It also features a fantastic talk from Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM) leadership that spotlights the ways in which the CGT sector is succeeding, of particular relevance in a time where the struggles are most pertinent.
Second, look for ways to get involved on a committee. What are your interests? Pick a pillar – and look deeply into those committees. Look at the websites for each committee and see who sits on them, and what their focus is. Read the committee papers – here are a few recent ones on gene editing platforms, clinical trial design and immune monitoring after transplant. Do you know any members on the committees? Reach out and ask about their experience and inquire about joining. If you’re an Early Stage Professional (10 years within your terminal degree), look into joining the ESP committee. Many committees are hosting webinars this month, including on cryopreservation from the Cold Chain working group, and the ever-hot topic of AI, both from the Industry Process Development and Manufacturing group. They are free to all members, and if you miss it, you can even catch a recording on your lunch break!
Third – make sure you are following ISCT social media. They describe events and opportunities open to all members. In May, we will see ISCT TV coverage of the annual meeting, and we will live vicariously through those at the Dublin annual meeting. Beyond the annual meeting, ISCT’s social media will highlight opportunities to apply to some fantastic opportunities. These include the stellar ISCT Mentoring Program later this fall (where you can consider joining either as a mentee or a mentor), the Leadership Development Program in December/January (great for young professionals who would like to gain experience in a committee they are not sure about joining), and workforce development opportunities both online or in-person.
Finally, this year is the FIRST year that ISCT is offering a fully virtual option to attend the annual meeting. If you really can’t stand the thought of missing the latest updates, you can attend the plenaries and SO much more from the comfort of your own home. No airport lines or passports needed!
The society is nothing without its members. Reach out and connect you’ll be surprised at the connections you can make and what you can learn. Kick FOMO to the curb and put that ISCT membership to work year-round!
Dr. Hannah Song contributed to this article in their personal capacity. The views expressed are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Institutes of Health or the United States Government.
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