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Some of the most inspiring moments at this year's European Network to Cure ALS (ENCALS) meeting in Madrid came from the Rapid Fire presentations. In just a few minutes, early career researchers shared innovative research that could help improve our understanding of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) / motor neuron disease (MND).
Congratulations to this year's Rapid Fire Presentation winners, Zsofia Laszlo from the University of Dundee and Dr Holly Spence from the University of Aberdeen.
Zsofia Laszlo
Zsofia is a PhD student in the laboratory of Dr Chris Henstridge, University of Dundee. Zsofia's attendance at ENCALS 2026 was supported by a Euan MacDonald Centre registration bursary. Reflecting on her experience, she said:
ENCALS 2026 in Madrid certainly turned up the heat, both scientifically and literally! I'm still not sure what was more intense: the conference sessions or the 40°C weather!
It was a truly inspiring few days, filled with exciting scientific discussions, new collaborations, and the opportunity to reconnect with colleagues from around the world.
I was delighted to present two of our latest studies, which explored different aspects of MND. The first focused on understanding the earliest changes that occur in the connections between nerve cells, while the second investigated the role of glial cells and how they may contribute to disease progression. It was a wonderful opportunity to receive valuable feedback from colleagues and exchange new ideas.
I was also incredibly honoured to receive one of the Best Rapid Fire Talk Awards. Although it is always challenging to summarise months of research in just a few minutes, sharing our key findings and discussing them with fellow researchers made the experience especially rewarding.
None of this would have been possible without the incredible support of the Euan MacDonald Centre, the MND Association and the Neurosciences Foundation. Their continued support for our research, and for my attendance at the conference, is truly appreciated.
Finally, a heartfelt thank you to the conference organisers for hosting such an engaging and memorable meeting. I am already looking forward to seeing everyone again next year in Lübeck."
Dr Holly Spence
Dr Holly Spence, from the University of Aberdeen, also reflected on the recognition:
I was grateful for the opportunity to present our findings, which highlight the potential to identify biologically distinct forms of ALS. This could help move us towards more precise, personalised approaches to diagnosis and treatment.
Presenting this research at an international conference and having it recognised by experts in the field is incredibly rewarding.
I'm very grateful to the MND Association for its funding and continued support, which will allow us to build on these findings and expand this exciting area of research, with the goal of improving outcomes for people living with MND.
Acknowledgements
We are incredibly grateful to our supporters and fundraisers, whose generosity makes it possible for the Euan MacDonald Centre to support early career researchers to attend national and international conferences. These opportunities help researchers share their work, build collaborations and bring new knowledge back to Scotland's MND research community.
Relevant links
Header image thanks to Zsofia Laszlo and the Henstridge Lab, Dundee