On 8^th September 2025, an Early Career Researchers’ (ECR) Day was held as a pre-initiation to the MBI-MPG 2025 Conference, setting the tone for a whole week of inspiring science. Designed by postdocs and PhD students for fellow young investigators, the day featured short talks, flash presentations, and lively discussions with senior researchers and principal investigators from the Mechanobiology Institute, NUS.

The short talk awards this year jointly went to Zhe Wang, a postdoctoral researcher at Heidelberg University’s Institute for Molecular Systems Engineering and Advanced Materials (IMSEAM), and Ranmadusha Merengha Hengst, a PhD student in Jennifer Young’s lab at MBI, NUS. Their talks impressed both judges and peers with clarity, originality, and scientific rigor.

Flash talk sessions were equally vibrant, showcasing high-energy science in rapid-fire format. The joint winners—Aleksandra Kozyrina (RWTH Aachen University and University of Glasgow), Xiangfu Guo (NTU), and Oriane Foussadier and Laura Bocanegra Moreno (University of Geneva)—demonstrated how concise storytelling can make complex results compelling.

The ECR Day was more than just presentations—it was a launchpad for future collaborations. By dedicating time and space for emerging scientists to share ideas and gain valuable feedback, the next generation of mechanobiologists will surely drive the field forward to greater heights.