Attending the 9th International Society for Microbial Electrochemistry and Technology Conference (ISMET9) in Leipzig and Jena, Germany (15–19 September 2025), was an incredible experience and a real highlight of my PhD journey so far. The week began with an excellent hands-on workshop that covered metagenomics data analysis, reactor design, and cyclic voltammetry interpretation. The sessions were very informative and gave me new insights that I can apply directly to my own research.

The conference itself was equally inspiring. I finally had the chance to meet many of the authors whose microbial fuel cell papers I have been reading for years. Their feedback on my oral presentation was very encouraging, and I came away feeling more confident about my results.

It was also a great opportunity to connect with researchers from around the world and discuss potential collaborations that could help advance my project. I am very grateful to my supervisors and the CDT for their support and guidance, which made attending ISMET9 possible

Christine Paul - Cohort 9