The SIMBA consortium meeting took place over three days last week from 9-11 December 2020. This was the second consortium meeting to be held online because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Unsurprisingly, the online setting did not stop partners from engaging in productive and insightful conversations about the progress of the project so far.
After an opening address from coordinator Anne Pihlanto, the first day kicked off with presentations from other H2020 microbiome projects CIRCLES, MASTER, HoloFood & MicrobiomeSupport. SIMBA is currently working with these projects as part of a Horizon Results Booster. The opening session also featured a presentation from a new H2020 project AtlantECO who joined to tell partners more about the contribution their research will make to the field.
Over the course of the three days, SIMBA partners heard updates from each work package about their progress and latest developments. Several PhD and master’s students also delivered presentations on the research they are carrying out for SIMBA as part of their studies.
Just as it began, the session closed on Friday afternoon with remarks from the project coordinator, who thanked partners for their contributions and said that she was looking forward to seeing the interesting results coming from the project over the next few years.
Overall, the sessions were informative, insightful, and engaging. While the online meeting proved to be a success, SIMBA partners are all looking forward to a time where they can all connect in person again.