Five early-career pain researchers are participating in the IASP-PRF Virtual Correspondents program during the IASP 2022 World Congress on Pain, taking place 19-23 September in Toronto, Canada. The IASP-PRF Virtual Correspondents program is a unique science communication training program that provides participants with knowledge and skills needed to communicate science effectively to a wide range of pain researchers, patients, and the greater public. The Correspondents will conduct interviews with pain professionals, write summaries of scientific lectures – and provide live blogging, too! Take a look at their blog posts written during Congress below.
IASP-PRF Virtual Correspondents Blog Posts Written During Congress
Physical spaces help me to compartmentalize the input I receive and to operate accordingly. Walk into the clinic, and diagnose. Climb up to the lab, and do the ELISA assay. Sit on the bus, and contemplate the health care disparities article I just read. During the past three days, the spaces and pillars of the pain research and management community have merged. My mind has been swirling among these tightly connected aspects in discovery, diagnosis, treatment, education, and governance in pain medicine. The abstract notion of integrating different disciplines – at all levels and around the globe – has become tangible in this meeting.
This September in Toronto, early-career scientists and clinicians were cheered. I was delighted when I attached the blue ribbon reading “First Time Attendee” to my badge. Trainees have become friends when helping each other to hang posters and in the long coffee lines. The “in-betweeners” were embraced. In fact, anything “in-between” – such as translational scientific efforts and talks about neurons and “non-neurons” – have been acknowledged. Years of dedicated work in pain research, practice, education, and advocacy have been recognized. Friends from all over the world were reunited after years apart. They celebrated achievements, formed collaborations, and sought advice on how to overcome challenges. Five PRF Correspondents – who did not know each other until three weeks ago – worked together to navigate Twitter and build a rapport.
Trying to absorb the tremendous amount of beautiful data from many different perspectives, sitting across the table to receive insights from talented scientists – or walking into a room where the IASP Federation Leaders held a meeting – could have been overwhelming. Instead, the collective efforts to alleviate pain and the feelings of togetherness and humility that the community reflected on have made me feel a part of a greater cause. I am hopeful for the future.
Ozge Erdogan, DDS DMSc, recently completed her doctoral training at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, US – @ozgeerdogan
Our first assignment as PRF Correspondents has been to provide coverage of the IASP 2022 World Congress on Pain. If you are like me – someone who has been an observer on Twitter – you may be worried about posting something that makes people cringe. However, my biggest concern is communicating the science.
I’m just beginning to learn about pain, and sometimes feel I’m not qualified enough to cover a topic I don’t fully understand yet. I’m primarily a cone snail venom research trainee, and my work involves probing nicotinic receptor expression in the dorsal root ganglion. Recently, I presented a poster at one of the largest venom conferences in the world but I also felt my work didn’t quite belong. I decided to venture a little deeper into the pain field, and now here I am – corresponding virtually about #IASP2022. Yet, I feel the same way I did at the venom conference – an “outsider.”
But I’m not afraid to start as an “outsider.” A piece of advice I received before I began to pursue my PhD was to, “Work within the boundaries of two disciplines. It's at the interface where discovery lies.”
Three plenary lectures exemplified this merging of disciplines: “Cytokines and Pain” by Michaela Krass (Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria), “Neuronal Interactions with Microbes in Pain and Host Defense” by Isaac Chiu (Harvard Medical School, US), and “Elucidating Pain Mechanism with Venom-Derived Peptides and Natural Toxins,” by Irina Vetter (University of Queensland, Australia). To work at the interface requires mastery of one field and the willingness to learn another. You learn more and arrive at the results faster when working with experts from different fields. Isn’t that what #IASP2022 is all about?
This year’s winner of the Ulf Lindblom Young Investigator Prize for Clinical Science, Lauren Heathcote (King’s College London, UK), summed it up perfectly – “Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone, and don’t be scared to seek mentors outside of your field. The magic of research happens with unexpected interactions.”
Jortan O. Tun, MS, is a PhD candidate at the University of Utah, US – @JortanTun
What is central sensitization? What isn’t central sensitization? Are we approaching a future with digital avatars? What drives itch and inflammation? These questions were addressed (and even some answers provided) in less than one day at the IASP 2022 World Congress on Pain, and I’ve only had access to the virtual content.
To be honest, sometimes I feel like my brain is exploding as it tries to process this plethora of insightful presentations. I’m inspired by the renowned scientists who have made substantial contributions about what we know today, and also by the young investigators and trainees who will continue to unravel the mysteries of pain.
What are the benefits of “attending” #IASP2022 virtually? To name a few: 1) No jetlag; 2) No waiting in long coffee queues; and 3) Not coming home to a huge pile of work (which always happens!). However, getting cut off from the online broadcast during one of the most grasping moments of a presentation was simply painful. Just imagine the plenary speaker disappearing while your mind thinks, “I cannot wait to see the next slide!”
There’s one more day left at #IASP2022. There are many more interesting sessions yet to come, ranging from the molecular taxonomy of sensory neurons, advances in optical imaging, and even venom- and toxin-induced pain mechanisms. What isn’t to love about pain research?
Paulina Scheuren, PhD, is a postdoctoral fellow at Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland – @ScheurenPaulina
During the past two days of #IASP2022, I’ve been asking myself, “How long will it take to read all of the notes I’ve written?” It’s impressive that even the shortest of lectures can generate such powerful insights. There have even been times I’ve tried to take notes but the lecturer’s presentation skills were so good that I couldn’t help but to observe and admire.
The Pre-Congress feelings of excitement are now mixed with curiosity and enthusiasm. I’ve heard a lot of new things that have challenged me to rethink my interests, my questions, and my way of understanding pain. This is the power of the World Congress on Pain. Watching lectures from different pain fields has made me interested and eager to learn more about topics I’ve never considered before. The hardest thing will be to organize all of these new ideas and stay focused.
I’m attending #IASP2022 from the other side of the world (14 hours ahead of Toronto!). I thought I would miss the last sessions of each day; however, I’ve been able to stay awake until the last minutes (and also had the pleasure of seeing some beautiful sunrises). Although I had some Internet connectivity issues, nothing interfered with my enjoyment of these amazing sessions.
Following the #IASP2022 posts on Twitter has made the virtual experience better. Whereas seeing posts of in-person Congress activities has made me jealous, these online activities have made me feel more “present.” It’s great to see people sharing their thoughts, and research teams supporting each other’s presentations. Follow #IASP2022 and stay tuned!
Fernando Sousa, MRes, is a PhD candidate in the Department of Physiotherapy at Monash University, Melbourne, Australia – @fernandosouf
Have you ever felt the type of energy that’s been on display during the IASP 2022 World Congress on Pain? What a week! Hitting the plenary lectures at 8 a.m., then heading to the topical workshops, paying attention, taking notes, and working up the confidence to present questions to the “big names” in pain science. Let’s be clear – you’ll probably need a coffee (or more than a few) after lunch – and then it’s time for the afternoon sessions! Somehow, you also find the energy to have dinner with your colleagues (and maybe some drinks!). Then, repeat! What kind of Energizer Bunnies are these pain scientists?
This kind of energy can only manifest when you’re engaged with wonderful people in a wonderful place. The IASP 2022 World Congress on Pain has expanded the boundaries of my research, and I feel empowered to explore interests in new and different topics. I’ve also been surprised by the number of opportunities we PhD students and early-career researchers can pursue. For example, did you know there is an IASP Early Career Presidential Task Force? I did not, but I appreciate the new professional headshot they took of me in the Early Career Lounge! Let’s keep going!
Macarena Tejos-Bravo, MS, is a PhD candidate at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile in Santiago – @MacaTejosB