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We are delighted to share that the ISCT Europe Regional Executive Committee is establishing a new ISCT Europe Regional Early Stage Professionals (ISCT EU ESP) Subcommittee, and we are now looking to bring together its “dream team”.  An early stage professional (ESP) is anyone with an active ISCT membership who is within ten years of earning their terminal degree or entering the cell and gene therapy (CGT) field. If you are a proactive and committed ISCT ESP in the Europe region, make sure not to miss this opportunity to develop your career and contribute to the field. Creating the ISCT EU ESP Subcommittee was one of the strategic priorities the ISCT Europe Regional Executive Committee set for 2026, and in the paragraphs that follow we explain what it is, how it sits within ISCT, what membership offers, and how to put yourself forward.

The Purpose Behind the Subcommittee

The thinking behind it was simple. ISCT has a growing community of ESPs across Europe, yet there has not been a dedicated space for them to come together and contribute as a group. This subcommittee now provides that space. Made up of a team of ISCT Europe ESPs, it offers a focused setting to share ideas, engage with the topics shaping the CGT field, and contribute to the work of the society alongside others at a similar stage of their careers.

Community sits at the heart of this. Beyond bringing people together, the subcommittee will ensure that ISCT Europe ESPs are represented, kept informed, and actively involved in conversations about the society and the wider European CGT sector. With its formation, Europe joins the family of regional ESP subcommittee’s, including Australia and New Zealand, Central and South America, and Asia, all working alongside the ISCT Global ESP Committee.

How It Sits Within ISCT

For a subcommittee like this to be effective, it needs to be well connected to the rest of the society, and it is. It was established as a subcommittee of the ISCT Europe Regional Executive Committee and operates under its guidance, in line with ISCT’s organisational structure and governance framework. In practice, this means that it reports regularly to the ISCT Europe Regional Executive Committee, and to the ISCT Global ESP Committee as requested, ensuring its work remains closely aligned with the rest of the society.

Within this structure, the subcommittee also has the space to develop its own ideas. The ISCT Europe Regional Executive Committee and ISCT Head Office provided valuable guidance during its formation, and the ISCT EU ESP Subcommittee will continue to work closely with both to shape a work programme that supports ISCT’s priorities and stay in step with the society’s overall mission. Within that shared direction, there is room for ISCT Europe ESPs to bring forward local initiatives and contribute in ways that reflect their interests, as well as the needs of both the regional and global ISCT community.

What Membership of the ISCT EU ESP Subcommittee Offers

Getting involved will offer several opportunities for engagement and professional development. Membership provides a practical way to contribute to ISCT’s mission, while building a cross-disciplinary network of peers and more senior ISCT members across Europe and beyond. The kind of connections that are difficult to establish on one’s own. In addition, because the subcommittee produces tangible outputs, such as webinars, workshops, roundtables, Telegraft articles, and contributions to Cytotherapy, there are meaningful ways to get actively involved and gain visibility within the ISCT community.

It also offers insight into how ISCT operates, from its committees to its governance and leadership, providing valuable perspective as members advance in their careers. Many of today’s senior leaders in the field began exactly where ISCT Europe ESPs are now, and those who engage early often go on to take up leadership roles within ISCT and across the sector. The same has held true for members of the Australia and New Zealand, Asia, and Central and South America regional ESP subcommittee’s. This subcommittee is one of the ways ISCT helps develop its future leaders, alongside well established initiatives such as the ISCT ESP Mentoring Program and the ISCT ESP Leadership Development Program. Supporting and training ESPs has long been a priority for ISCT, and this subcommittee brings that commitment closer to home for members in Europe.

Meet the Co-Chairs

Guiding the ISCT EU ESP Subcommittee through its first term are its inaugural Co-Chairs, Manuela (Manu) Romano and Alejandro (Alex) Barquero, who between them bring considerable energy and experience to the role. Both Alex and Manu are genuinely enthusiastic about getting started and welcoming the new members, to build a capable and collegial team that ISCT Europe ESPs will be proud to be part of. Their aim is for everyone who joins to find a welcoming place to learn, proactively contribute, and develop a shared platform for growing together.

A Team that Reflects its Community

The value of the ISCT EU ESP Subcommittee lies in the range of perspectives it brings together, which is why we are keen for the subcommittee to reflect the community it serves. In selecting members, we will aim for broad geographic representation across Europe, strive for gender balance, and include individuals from academia, industry, clinical and regulatory backgrounds. Much of the strength of a group like this comes from the diversity of experience around the table. Whatever part of the CGT field you work in, and wherever you are based in Europe, your perspective is welcome.

How to Put Yourself Forward

If our mission resonates with you, today is your chance to put yourself forward for this initiative. More information on how to apply is available via the formal Call for Applications, which is now open until 24 June 2026, to all ISCT Europe ESPs with an active ISCT membership who live and work in Europe. Applicants are asked to submit a brief statement of interest, a two page CV, and one or more suggestions, either to support the subcommittee’s objectives or as a new project for its annual work programme. This is a great opportunity to bring your own ideas to the table from the very start!

If you are interested, or simply curious and giving it some thought, please feel free to reach out to Manu or Alex who are always happy to talk. If you are ready to contribute and get involved, we would love to hear from you. Submit your application to isct@isctglobal.org. We are looking forward to building this together!

Manuela Romano - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuela-romano-05a68617a/

Alejandro Barquero - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejandrobarquero/?locale=en