EVAMS – Emerging Voices in Cancer Research: A Multidisciplinary Symposium
The EVAMS – Emerging Voices in Cancer Research is a multidisciplinary international symposium fully committed to amplifying early-career contributions in oncology.
Born as the closing event of a Ministry-funded research project on innovative theranostic strategies targeting ALDH1A3—a key biomarker of cancer stem-like cells and a promising lever for precision diagnostics and therapy—EVAMS aims to provide a vibrant platform for young researchers at the forefront of cancer science.
Throughout the day, PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, residents, and early-career investigators will take the stage to present their original research through oral communications, flash talks, and poster sessions.
SCOPE AND HIGHLIGHTS
This international event will bring together emerging talents and leading experts from diverse fields—chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology, biotechnology, and medicine—to share and discuss cutting-edge discoveries in cancer research.
The symposium will conclude with a special focus session dedicated to Aldehyde Dehydrogenase (ALDH) as an innovative pharmacological target in brain cancer, the central topic of the co-funded research project.
KEY INFORMATION
📅 28 November 2025
📍University of Pisa (Google Maps link)
🎫 Free registration – but limited spots! (https://forms.office.com/e/JzkeNG41pq?origin=lprLink )
🗣️ English
SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMME
The Scientific Programme includes:
✨4 Keynote Lectures by international speakers:
Prof Mattia Mori – University of Siena
Prof Gennara Cavallaro – University of Palermo
Prof Sara Galimberti – University of Pisa
Dr Raquel Pequerul Pavón – Autonomous University of Barcelona
🗣️ Oral and flash communications – selected from the submitted abstracts
🧾 Poster session – featuring original work from young investigators
☕ Networking moments – connect and collaborate in a friendly, interdisciplinary atmosphere
| 08:30 | 09:00 | REGISTRATION | |
| 09:00 | 09:15 | OPENING ADDRESS | |
| SESSION 1 | |||
| chair | Prof Concettina La Motta, University of Pisa | ||
| chair | Prof Gennara Cavallaro University of Palermo | ||
| 09:15 | 09:45 | KEY1 | Prof Gennara Cavallaro (University of Palermo): Multifunctional Nanoplatforms for Precision Medicine in Cancer Therapy |
| 9:45 | 9:55 | OR1 | Dr Alexandra Charalampopoulou (The National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy): The Role of Radiobiology in Cancer Research |
| 9:55 | 10:05 | OR2 | Dr Marta Roncetti (Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche): Boosting the Anticancer Activity of Attenuated Listeria Monocytogenes via Bio-orthogonal Conjugation of Therapeutic Molecules |
| 10:05 | 10:15 | OR3 | Dr Lidia Ciccone (University of Pisa): Human Prealbumin in Complex with Anticancer Drugs |
| 10:15 | 10:25 | OR4 | Dr Salvatore Emanuele Drago (University of Palermo): Bioreducible Cationic Polymethacrylate-Carbon Nanodot Conjugates as Theranostic Platforms for siRNA Delivery |
| 10:25 | 10:30 | YT1 | Dr Maria Chiara Santangelo (University of Pisa): Glycoconjugated Luminescent Ln (III) Complexes as Selective Bioimaging Probes |
| 10:30 | 10:35 | YT2 | Dr Jacopo Castagnoli (University of Pisa): Cyclodextrin-based Nanocarrier Systems for Improved Delivery of Gefitinib in Lung Cancer Treatment |
| 10:35 | 10:40 | FP1 | To be selected |
| 10:40 | 10:45 | FP2 | To be selected |
| 10:45 | 11:30 | COFFEE BREAK AND NETWORKING | |
| SESSION 2 | |||
| chair | Dr Ilaria D’Agostino, University of Pisa | ||
| chair | Prof Sara Galimberti, University of Pisa | ||
| 11:30 | 12:00 | KEY2 | Prof Sara Galimberti (University of Pisa): The New Frontiers of Immunotherapy in Hematology: From Bispecific Antibodies to CAR T Cells |
| 12:00 | 12:10 | OR5 | Dr Elena Andreucci (University of Florence): New Challenges in Immuno-Oncology: How to Induce Immunogenic Cell Death and Trigger a Systemic Anti-Tumour Response |
| 12:10 | 12:20 | OR6 | Dr Davide De Luca (Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche): Functional Characterization of MYC Point Mutations in Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma |
| 12:20 | 12:30 | OR7 | Dr Marta Banchi (University of Pisa): Synergistic Activity of Tafasitamab and Metronomic Chemotherapy on Preclinical Models of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma |
| 12:30 | 12:40 | OR8 | Dr Silvia Martina Ferrari (University of Pisa): New Targeted Therapies in Aggressive Thyroid Cancer for the Personalization of the Treatment |
| 12:40 | 12:45 | YT3 | Dr Lorenzo Chiaverini (University of Pisa): Metal Complexes for Anticancer Treatment |
| 12:45 | 12:50 | YT4 | Dr Miriana Di Stefano (University of Pisa) Artificial Intelligence and Drug Discovery |
| 12:50 | 12:55 | FP3 | To be selected |
| 12:55 | 13:00 | FP4 | To be selected |
| 13:00 | 14:30 | LIGHT LUNCH AND POSTER SESSION | |
| SESSION 3 | |||
| chair | Dr Ilaria D’Agostino, University of Pisa | ||
| chair | Prof Mattia Mori, University of Siena | ||
| 14:30 | 15:00 | KEY3 | Prof Mattia Mori (University of Siena): A Journey into the Chemical Space of Hedgehog Pathway Inhibitors |
| 15:00 | 15:10 | OR9 | Dr Davide Moi (University of Cagliari): Discovery of Hsp90/HDAC6 Dual Inhibitors Targeting Aggressive Prostate Cancer |
| 15:10 | 15:20 | OR10 | Dr Doretta Cuffaro (University of Pisa): Structural Optimization and in vitro Efficacy on Colorectal Cancer Cells of Novel Cetuximab-Conjugate Aminobisphosphonates |
| 15:20 | 15:30 | OR11 | Dr Giulia Bononi (University of Pisa): Targeting Cancer Cell Metabolism: Therapeutic and Diagnostic Approaches |
| 15:30 | 15:40 | OR12 | Dr Andrea Angeli (University of Florence): Dual Inhibition of Carbonic Anhydrase IX and Glutathione Peroxidase 4 as a Novel Strategy for Ferroptosis-Induced Tumor Cell Death |
| 15:40 | 15:45 | YT5 | Dr Fabio Di Ricco (University of Pisa): A Novel Class of Thyromimetics for the Treatment of MASLD-Associated HCC |
| 15:45 | 15:50 | YT6 | Dr Eva Landucci (University of Pisa): Piperidine-Based MAGL Inhibitors: A Reversible Approach to Enzyme Modulation |
| 15:50 | 15:55 | FP5 | To be selected |
| 15:55 | 16:00 | FP6 | To be selected |
| 16:00 | 16:30 | COFFEE BREAK AND NETWORKING | |
| SESSION 4 | |||
| chair | Prof Concettina La Motta, University of Pisa | ||
| chair | Prof Silvia Garavaglia, University of Piemonte Orientale | ||
| chair | Prof Lorenzo Magrassi, University of Pavia | ||
| 16:30 | 17:00 | KEY4 | Dr. Raquel Pequerul (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona): Improved Detection of ALDH in Low-Activity Samples Using an Enhanced-Fluorescence Method |
| 17:00 | 17:10 | OR13 | Dr Sneha Swaroop (University of Bradford, UK): Targeting Cancer Stem Cells: A Strategy for Effective Eradication of Cancer |
| 17:10 | 17:20 | OR14 | Dr Maya MacLean (Dalhousie University): Highly selective inhibition of ALDH1A3 impedes breast cancer growth and metastasis by blocking ALDH1A3-driven transcriptional programs |
| 17:20 | 17:30 | OR15 | Dr Bianca Laura Bernardoni (University of Pisa): Lighting Up Cancer: Design and Synthesis of Fluorescent ALDH1A3 Inhibitors for Precision Cancer Surgery |
| 17:30 | 17:40 | OR16 | Dr Paola Corna (University of Pavia): Biological Effects of ALDH1A3 Ligands Containing B or Gd on Glioblastoma cells |
| 17:40 | 17:50 | OR17 | Dr Valentina Gigliotti (University of Piemonte Orientale): A Selective ALDH1A3 Inhibitor Impairs Mesothelioma 3-D Multicellular Spheroids Growth and Neutrophil Recruitment |
| 17:50 | 18:00 | OR18 | Dr Giulia Ferrara (University of Piemonte Orientale): ALDH1A3-Targeted Theranostics |
| 18:00 | 18:10 | OR19 | Dr Manuel Giacomarra (Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza): Exploring a Novel ALDH Inhibitor as a Promising Anticancer Agent against Glioblastoma Using in Vitro Precision Medicine Approaches |
| 18:10 | 18:30 | CLOSING REMARKS AND POSTER PRIZES |
VENUE AND INFORMATION
The symposium will be a FREE EVENT and is scheduled for November 28th, 2025
The EVAMS will be held at the University of Pisa
The official language of the Symposium is English
Deadline for Registration – SPOTS ARE LIMITED, so Hurry up!!!
Deadline for Abstract Submission: November 21st
ACTIVE PARTICIPATION
All attendees are warmly encouraged to present their anticancer research project by submitting an abstract using the official template file.
Abstract Submission Deadline: November 21st, 2025
Notification of Flash Talk Selection: November 24th, 2025
The Best Poster Award will be announced during the closing session.
All accepted abstracts will be included in the official EVAMS Book of Abstracts.
📄 Download EVAMS Book of Abstracts
👉 Register now – limited seats! 📲 https://forms.office.com/e/JzkeNG41pq?origin=lprLink
SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE
Prof Concettina La Motta – University of Pisa
Dr Ilaria D’Agostino – University of Pisa
Prof Silvia Garavaglia – University of Eastern Piedmont
Prof Lorenzo Magrassi – University of Pavia
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and SPONSORS
🌱 Organized in full compliance with the Gender Equality Guidelines for Conferences and the Guidelines for Sustainable Events.
🙏Funded by the European Union – Next Generation EU, Mission 4, Component 2, Investment 1.1, CUP I53D23004870006 
🙏 Co-funded by the University of Pisa – Conference Funding Call 2025
Sponsored by Zentek (https://zentek.it/)
Join Us!
Join us for the EVAMS!
🚨 Don’t miss this opportunity – 🎤 Your Research deserves to be heard!