IFIGENEIA mentoring event at the UNSA Department of Physics
A special interactive event, within the IFIGENEIA mentoring scheme, was organized for students of the Department of Physics at the University of Sarajevo, on October 10th 2025. The event was based on the Particle Therapy MasterClass using treatement plans that visualise tumour contours to be treated; thus, giving the opportunity to introduce the students to the main scientific topics of IFIGENEIA, namely radioisotopes and the technology needed for their production. The event, organised by dr. Azra Gazibegović Busuladžić from the Physics Department, was announced as an open informal discussion, following the lecture, giving to participating students the opportunity to discuss with Dr. Yiota Foka, from GSI/CERN, about her experiences in science, the important connections of science and medical applications, or societal applications in general.
Dr. Foka put into perspective the importance of radio-isotopes both for imagining but also for targeted therapies. She also highlighted the benefits of modern technologies and their impact for better patient outcomes. She presented details on possible facilities that could combine hadron therapy and nuclear medicine emphasizing a possible design of a standalone facility for radio-isotope production, which is the aim of IFIGENEIA. Then, details on the IFIGENEIA consortium were also presented as well as its importance for capacity building, highlighting its mentoring scheme as potentially directly beneficial to the attending students.
The event dedicated ample time to answering the interesting questions of the students and was characterised by vivid discussions. Students readily expressed support to the idea of science benefiting humanity, particularly healthcare. They also commented that they would see themselves as likely, or even gladly, taking part in such projects. Indeed, the event presented an opportunity for exchanging ideas but also for establishing further contacts. Students were encouraged to contact dr. Azra Gazibegović Busuladžić from the Physics Department and dr. Yiota Foka for additional information.
dr. Yiota Foka is giving the presentation
Meeting with UNSA rector
On October 8th, members of IFIGENEIA project from UNSA and GSI: dr Azra G B, Nina Begović, and dr Yiota Foka had a focused discussion with the rector of the University of Sarajevo, prof. dr. Tarik Zaimović. This meeting was organized as a follow up of the IFIGENEIA promotion at UNSA in September (https://ifigeneia.eu/ifigeneia-presented-to-the-public-of-bosnia-and-herzegovina-at-three-official-events-during-the-month-of-september-2025/). One of the aims of the meeting was to update the rector on planned IFIGENEIA activities and to stress IFIGENEIA’s intentions to connect science, health, industry and society for the benefit of all. Concrete possibilities for the action in that direction were presented and explored. The rector extended his personal support alongside the support of the University. This positive response from the rector will, hopefully, open doors for many future fruitful collaborations that stem from IFIGENEIA.