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November was Enrique’s month to shine and finally finish his PhD studies by defending his thesis. In the past years, he was developing novel 5-flucotosine-based antifungal therapeutics under the supervision of Prof. Fabio Gsaller at the Department of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Innsbruck. Congratulations Enrique! Good luck with your future work life in the pharmaceutical industry.

In October 2023, it was Annie’s turn to defend her PhD thesis. Under the supervision of Prof. Hubertus Haas, her work at the Department of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Innsbruck was focused on analyzing molecular mechanisms for the adaptation of Aspergillus fumigatus to iron starvation. We welcome Annie to the club of Alumni and wish her all the best for her future.

This year's summer retreat indeed lived up to its name. It was cozy, warm, and exceptionally beautiful—a description that perfectly captures the feelings we experienced while conquering the mountain trails. The day before our departure, it had been raining incessantly. However, as luck would have it, good people tend to have good fortune, and the weather transformed from dreary to irresistibly sunny.

Though we were only a group of five, we initially thought that postponing the retreat to September, when all the PhD students had returned from their vacations, was the right decision. But no. Despite our small number, there was no shortage of lively conversations and a fantastic atmosphere. Our journey commenced with a boat tour from Pertisau, finishing at Scholastika station. During our hike, we enjoyed breathtaking views of Achensee, with its deep blue and turquoise waters. The Mariensteig trail provided a viewpoint higher than the lake, offering an especially captivating view. To the left, the rugged and gray Karwendel mountains contrasted with the vibrant colors of Achensee.

After walking approximately 5 km and immersing ourselves in the Tyrolean landscapes and panoramas, we indulged in a well-deserved meal at a local restaurant in Gaisalm. There, we savored soup with Knödel and each relished fresh trout, undoubtedly fished from the nearby lake.

Without a doubt, we couldn't resist the allure of the lake. Statistics suggest that 6 out of 10 of us dipped our toes in its refreshing waters. It was an undeniable success, and following our swim, we embarked on a further run to warm up. Upon reaching the parking area, we decided to take a break at a café by the embankment to reflect on our tour and discuss upcoming scientific plans, all while savoring delicious ice cream.

Seven hours later, we returned to Innsbruck, brimming with great emotions and invigorated by the abundant oxygen. Such a delightful and vibrant trip would not have been possible without the meticulous organization of Frederik Radvan and Prof. Würzner.

We are thrilled to announce that Azin has successfully defended her PhD on the 5^th of September. This long-awaited moment marked the culmination of her studies, and it was truly a cause for celebration. Surrounded by friends, family, and esteemed colleagues, Azin's achievement was met with great joy and pride. Azin was supervised by Prof. Florian Kronenberg, Institute of Genetic Epidemiology. Over the last years, her research has been centered on PCSK9, leading to significant findings that have enhanced our understanding of its regulation and impact on disease. We congratulate Azin on her impressive success and wish her all the best for her future.

In the past years, Lara performed comparative analysis of pharmacokinetics and therapeutic efficacy of new oral and intravenous iron preparations in anemia of chronic disease (ACD) with and without combined true iron deficiency. Some days ago, Lara could successfully defend her PhD thesis to join the growing group of HOROS Alumni. We are very happy for you and wish you good luck for your future path.