Our PhDs on the road

Jakob Schmolz, PhD candidate in Pharmaceutical Sciences: Congratulations on winning the poster award at your first presentation at an international conference (the 26th Annual Meeting of the Society for Dermopharmacy in Tübingen, Germany)! As the award winner, he was given the opportunity to present his work orally, which he says 'marked an important milestone in my PhD journey'.

Period of stay: 24-25 September 2025

Report

From 24 to 25 September, I travelled to Tübingen, Germany, to participate in the 26th Annual Meeting of the Society for Dermopharmacy. The congress brought together researchers, dermatologists, pharmacists, and industry representatives working on the latest advances in dermopharmacy and related fields.

I had the honor of presenting my first poster on phospholipid-based testosterone-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers for dermal application, which focused on their physicochemical characterisation and storage stability. The poster received 1st place in the poster evaluation, earning me the Hans Christian Korting Young Investigator Award in Dermopharmacy. As part of this recognition, I was invited to give a 12-minute oral presentation to the congress participants. This was an excellent opportunity to highlight my research results. The presentation was followed by a Q&A session, during which I received constructive and valuable feedback from the audience.

During the poster sessions and coffee breaks I had the opportunity to engage in inspiring discussions with fellow researchers and colleagues. These exchanges not only broadened my perspective but also highlighted opportunities for future collaborations. The scientific program offered a wide variety of sessions, ranging from new insights into dermatological compounding and dermocosmetics to legal and regulatory aspects of dermopharmacy, innovative therapeutic strategies for chronic inflammatory skin diseases, and the latest advances in dermatotherapy. Particularly exciting were presentations on novel formulation concepts, as well as applications of spectroscopic techniques to study skin penetration and barrier function.

Through this congress, I was able to connect with fellow PhD students and professionals working on related topics, including dermal delivery systems, and formulation technologies, which will certainly enrich the further development of my project.

Winning the poster award and being given the chance to present my work orally marked an important milestone in my PhD journey. I am grateful for the recognition and for the support of my supervisor, colleagues, and funding bodies that made this participation possible. I am truly grateful for the generous PhaNuSpo Travel Grant, which helped to cover my travel expenses.

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