The evolution of ‘The Young ISHAM’

As often it does need several things and circumstances that an idea becomes reality.
Often, a good glass of wine and a loose atmosphere help to find an open ear for such an idea. We had the idea of founding a network for young scientists of the field of medical mycology, created and run by young scientists. During the gala dinner at the ISHAM2009 conference in Tokyo (Japan) we talked to Sybren de Hoog (past ISHAM president) and David Ellis (elected ISHAM president) and luckily we found open ears. So, ‘The Young ISHAM’ became a step closer to reality.

Since the 30th of May 2009, we started working on the concept of ‘The Young ISHAM’ and found that it should be a working group within ISHAM. Young scientists should feel stronger integrated in the international society of medical mycologists. ‘The Young ISHAM’ should be for young members in a fresh style, encouraging young scientists to communicate with other scientists around the world and ask their upcoming scientific questions. We found that an online interface would be the proper tool. We won Kasper Luijstenberg as webmaster for our idea and the CBS Fungal Biodiversity Centre as host of our online network.

In July 2009 we were accepted as working group of ISHAM and got green light to start designing this platform for young scientists. We hope now that our members now make this platform alive so that it can become a real network for young scientists and reality.

Looking forward to see you all online,

Ela and Ferry