27 January 2026

On 8-9 December 2025, it was once again time to bring together the WCMM/DDLS affiliates for a retreat. “With all our diverse interest and expertise, we have so much to learn from each other”, comments Claudio Cantù, professor at the division of Molecular Medicine and Virology (MMV).

A group of people sitting in a room.

Like previous years the retreat were held at Sandvik Gård. This time 25 scientists from early master’s students to full professors, attended the event.

“And we were all equal participants”, says Claudio Cantù, who, alongside Alexa McIntyre organised the retreat.

What did the retreat involve?

“We debated ten topics around the system of science. We then arranged three-versus-three debates to discuss them. People engaged beyond allocated times, some debates did not stop despite fika and lunch breaks”, says Claudio Cantù.

How was the retreat received?

“Alexa McIntyre and I perceived it as a big success. Everyone engaged actively and passionately. Many send unsolicited enthusiastic feedback. And with the night sauna on the lake – with subsequent icy swims – how could it be anything but a success?”

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