Back in June 2020, the Virofight project was kicked-off within the high-time of the Covid-19 pandemic. No need to mention, that the Kick-Off meeting was organized fully remote, however the spirit and motivation was high and everyone was ready to start. Though by that time no one would have expected that it will take additional 2 years until the Virofight team can finally meet in person.
By spring this year, it became clear, that we finally have the chance to meet in person. Although the motivation was still there and first important results have emerged, we felt, that it is important to get everyone together for a first physical General Assembly Meeting. This meeting was finally held on 8th/9th May 2022 in Schloss Hohenkammer, a very nice meeting venue in the north of Munich.
We started the meeting with a Working Dinner in the evening of the 8th May and after our Coordinator Hendrik Dietz welcomed everyone, we enjoyed a delicious meal in a nice atmosphere. Afterwards we moved to the bar, where conversations related to science and beyond continued.
On 9th May we started the day with a progress presentation for all scientific Work Packages. We have allocated sufficient time to discuss the new data and also challenges, which some experiments brought along. Everyone contributed and exchange their best practices, so that we had a very efficient and fruitful morning session. After lunch we have reserved time for Breakout-Sessions in smaller groups, which further supported the exchange between the WPs and the team members. After this, the Project Management and Dissemination, Exploitation and Communication Work Packages presented the status of the project and showed, that the Virofight project is well on track with their commitments and obligations.
After a general wrap up and summarizing words from Hendrik, we had another coffee together at the Afternoon break and then the first Virofight in person General Assembly Meeting was official closed. Slowly all partners left for their journey back home.
We would like to THANK everyone for joining this General Assembly Meeting and making it so successful, inspiring and fun.