We’re thrilled to announce the second webinar of the SFRR-E ECR webinar series “Skills and Career”, taking place on Tuesday, 24th February, 2026.

This series is dedicated to supporting early-career researchers by exploring professional development topics, transferable skills, and career pathways in and beyond redox biology. We’re looking forward to another engaging afternoon of learning, discussion, and connection.

This time, we’ll explore the exciting topic of “Science Outreach!”, featuring a talk and discussion with acclaimed science communicator - Andrés Rieznik. Join us at 15:00 CET to learn more about how researchers can effectively communicate science to broader audiences.

New trends in the public communication of Science

Andrés Rieznik, PhD

Torcuato Di Tella University, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Andrés Rieznik holds a PhD in Physics and is a science communicator and professor at the Business School of Torcuato Di Tella University, where he also works as a researcher at the Center for Artificial Intelligence and Neuroscience. He has published dozens of articles in scientific journals specializing in communication and neural networks. His media presence includes appearances on programs for NatGeo, Fox, and other international networks, as well as multiple TEDx talks. For five years, he presented his successful show Matemagia at Paseo La Plaza and Tecnópolis. From 2016 to 2022, he hosted La Liga de la Ciencia on Argentine Public Television, a program awarded the Martín Fierro for Best Cultural Program in 2019, and he is a columnist for Luzu TV and Infobae. He is the author of the books Neuromagia, Atletismo Mental, Retos Asombrosos, and Tabú.

New! Subscribe to our webinar calendar

To make it easier than ever to stay up to date, we’ve launched a dedicated webinar calendar. By adding it once, you’ll automatically see all current and future SFRR-E ECR webinars in your calendar - no need to add each session individually.

Add hear the webinar series calendar.

- so you never miss a webinar!

Don’t miss this inspiring continuation of the series! Mark your calendars, spread the word, and join us online for a stimulating session! We look forward to seeing you there and to another season of groundbreaking science and lively discussions with the SFRR-E ECR community.

Want to know more about what we do? You’ll find all the info about the ECR Subcommittee on the SFRR-E website.

For regular updates, follow us on Instagram (@sfrr_ecr), Bluesky (@sfrre-ecr.bsky.social‬) Twitter/X (@SFRR_Europe), and LinkedIn (SFRR-E).
Got a question, idea, or just want to say hi? Drop us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - we’d love to hear from you!

- The ECR Subcommittee Team

Dear fellow researchers,

As we continue into the year, we’re delighted to bring you the latest newsletter from the SFRR-E ECR community, full of exciting updates and upcoming activities. With renewed energy, we move forward ready to put into practice the goals and objectives we’ve set for ourselves to continue supporting and being of service to the redox ECR community.

In this issue, we’re excited to announce the call for new members of the ECR subcommittee! Moreover, we share the newly launched webinar calendar, designed to help you stay up to date and never miss an upcoming session. We also announce our next SFRR-E ECR Webinar, taking place on 3rd February, bringing fresh ideas and inspiration for the months ahead. Finally, we share a recap of our January webinar, featuring two excellent talks packed with valuable insights for early-career scientists.

And of course, as always, you’ll also find upcoming deadlines, interesting events, paper calls, fresh redox reads, and job opportunities you won’t want to miss.

 

Join the ECR Subcommittee – Applications Now Open!

Are you an Early Career Researcher and keen to get more involved in the redox community? Then this is for you!

We’re looking for new, motivated members to join our SFRR-E ECR Subcommittee - and we’d love to hear from you.

You can apply if:

• You’re under 40, and/or
• You defended your PhD within the last 10 years
• This is a fantastic chance to shape ECR activities, connect with fellow researchers, and help build a vibrant, supportive ECR network.
• Deadline: 22 February 2026
• Apply here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PR3XQSQ

Don’t be shy - jump in and get involved!

 

New! Subscribe to our webinar calendar

To make it easier than ever to stay up to date, we’ve launched a dedicated webinar calendar. By adding it once, you’ll automatically see all current and future SFRR-E ECR webinars in your calendar - no need to add each session individually.

Add the webinar series calendar here:

https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/3?cid=NTIxMDk5NDRlN2Q3MzYxNGRkNTc5NzBmM2MwMTQyZjcyZTQ3MjhlZjYzNzhmZDEyNDY1ZWNiYWNhZWRjZmM0NkBncm91cC5jYWxlbmRhci5nb29nbGUuY29t 

- so you never miss a webinar!

 

Next SFRR-E ECR Webinar - February 3rd!

We’re excited to announce February’s webinar and keep the moment going with the sixth session of the SFRR-E ECR webinar series, “Emerging Leaders in Redox Biology”, taking place on February 3rd, 2026! This series is dedicated to showcasing early-career researchers who are pushing the boundaries of redox biology. We’re looking forward to another engaging afternoon of learning, discussion, and connection. This session will focus on the fascinating topic of “Redox regulation in cardiovascular diseases”, with presentations from two exceptional researchers: Eloisa Vilas Boas and Janina Frisch. Join us at 15:00 CET for an exciting deep dive into cutting-edge redox research!

Beta-Cell Dysfunction in Diabetes: Redox Mechanisms and Beyond

Eloisa Vilas Boas, PhD

Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Eloisa is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo (USP, Brazil), where she leads research on pancreatic beta-cell pathophysiology, focusing on the interplay between redox state and calcium homeostasis. She obtained her BSc in Pharmacy-Biochemistry (2011) and her MSc (2013) and PhD (2020) in Physiology and Biophysics, all from the University of Sao Paulo. During her PhD, co-supervised by Professors Angelo Carpinelli and Fernanda Ortis, she investigated the role of NADPH oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cytokine- and fatty acid-induced beta-cell dysfunction and death. As part of her doctoral training, she conducted a 12-month research at Saarland University (Homburg, Germany) in the lab of Prof. Leticia Roma, supported by DAAD (GradUS Global) and EFSD (Albert Renold Travel Fellowship), where she applied advanced redox imaging techniques using transgenic mice expressing the redox sensor roGFP2-Orp1. Her doctoral work provided novel insights into the real time redox regulation of beta-cell stress responses, leading to several academic awards, including the Best PhD Thesis Award from her department. In 2021, she joined the Energy Metabolism Laboratory at the Institute of Chemistry (USP) for her postdoctoral training with Prof. Alicia Kowaltowski, where she explored mitochondrial calcium transport as a key regulator of hepatic oxidative phosphorylation—work published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry and listed among the journal’s most read papers in 2021. Her current research aims to elucidate how redox and calcium signaling shape beta-cell function, survival, and adaptation to metabolic stress, using innovative live-cell imaging tools to quantify reactive oxygen species and calcium dynamics.

 

Redox signaling and ferroptosis in cardiovascular complications during chronic kidney disease.

Janina Frisch, PhD

Department of Biophysics/Redox Physiology, University of Saarland, Germany

Janina is a postdoctoral researcher at Saarland University in Germany in the group of Prof. Leticia Prates Roma at the Department of Biophysics/Redox Physiology. She studied Biomedicine at Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz and began working on viral gene transfer in the field of orthopaedics during her PhD. She later continued with a focus on gene therapy at the Paul Ehrlich Institute in Frankfurt, where she worked on tumor-specific delivery of immune checkpoint inhibitors using viral vectors. Her passion for redox biology grew when she started her current postdoctoral position, where she focuses on how redox metabolism and reactive oxygen species govern cellular adaptation in cardio-renal complications. Her methodological expertise includes genetically-encoded redox biosensors, molecular biology techniques, functional cellular readouts, and in vivo experimental models. One of her major projects is to investigate ferroptosis as a potential therapeutic target for treating cardiomyopathy in patients with chronic kidney disease.

How can I join the webinar?

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86469731540?pwd=cQW0yK5sNCPXO5sSOcaoBHaZPy2Tu8.1
Passcode: 433382

Don’t miss this inspiring continuation of the series! Mark your calendars, spread the word, and join us online for a stimulating session! We look forward to seeing you there and to another season of groundbreaking science and lively discussions with the SFRR-E ECR community.

 

Summary of January’s webinar:

On January’s webinar we learnt about ”Computational Redox Biology” with two wonderful talks by Cameron Schmidt and Karen Guerrero Vazquez. If you didn’t have a chance to follow the webinar, here’s a summary for you.

NAD(P)H Redox State as a Mechanism for Fine Tuning Microswimmer Search Strategies

Cameron Schmidt, PhD

Department of Biology, East Carolina University, USA

How do sperm cells decide how to move, and what does metabolism have to do with it? For mammalian sperm, finding an egg is no easy task. It must navigate complex and changing microenvironments shaped by the reproductive tract, relying on both signaling cues and metabolic resources to guide their movement. In this seminar, Cameron Schmidt explored how metabolism and redox state intersect to influence sperm energetics and behavior. Using an integrative combination of experimental work and computational modeling, Cameron shared with us how mouse sperm mitochondria oxidize lactate rather than glucose or pyruvate as a dominant energy source. Lactate-supported metabolism leads to high mitochondrial activity, a reduced redox state, and elevated ATP turnover. Surprisingly, pyruvate inhibits lactate oxidation, depolarizes mitochondrial membrane potential, and shifts cells toward increased glycolysis, revealing a little-explored redox-sensitive metabolic switch. By linking these metabolic states to sperm motility, Cameron demonstrated that lactate favors straighter, more efficient swimming paths, whereas pyruvate promotes movement aimed for local wandering. This suggests that sperm may use metabolic cues as a form of conditional sensing, adjusting their movement strategies depending on proximity to the egg.

miRKat: A Novel Computational Suite for MicroRNA Regulatory Network Analysis

Karen Guerrero Vazquez, PhD

University of Galway, Ireland

Can algorithms help us fight muscle aging? As we grow older, our muscles gradually lose mass and strength in a process called sarcopenia. Yet, despite its prevalence, there is still no effective therapy beyond diet and exercise. At the molecular level, aging is accompanied by a broad dysregulation of gene expression, including post-transcriptional control by microRNAs (miRNAs), which are small regulators capable of influencing entire gene networks. In this webinar, Karen Guerrero shared with us miRKat, a new computational suite designed to study the complexity of miRNA–gene interactions in aging muscle. Using transcriptomic analyses, miRKat is able to rank miRNAs based on their regulation influence within a gene network. With sarcopenia as a model study, Karen showed how miRKat has been able to integrate differential gene expression across age groups with tissue specificity. This strategy has already highlighted candidate miRNAs linked to muscle aging, mitochondrial function, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. Importantly, the approach recovers known miRNA, while also has identified less-studied, muscle-specific miRNAs with potential therapeutic relevance.

Remember that you can also watch recordings of the webinars through the SFRR-E intranet!

 

Reading for the year ahead

As we continue into the year, it’s a great moment to reflect on goals and build momentum for what’s ahead. Nature has put together a curated list of nine books to help shape your science career in 2026, offering inspiration and practical advice on career development, communication, wellbeing, international mobility, and navigating life as an early-career researcher. If you’re curious or don’t want to miss this thoughtful selection, be sure to check it out: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-04101-5

Want to know more about what we do? You’ll find all the info about the ECR Subcommittee on the SFRR-E website. For regular updates, follow us on Instagram (@sfrr_ecr), Bluesky (@sfrre-ecr.bsky.social‬) Twitter/X (@SFRR_Europe), and LinkedIn (SFRR-E).

Got a question, idea, or just want to say hi? Drop us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. — we’d love to hear from you!

- The ECR Subcommittee Team

 

Upcoming Events You Won’t Want to Miss:

SFRR-E Annual Meeting

• Redox Biology, environmental exposures and lifestyle
• Mainz, Germany | 3–5 June 2026
• Abstract deadline: 14 February | Early registration deadline: 21 March
• More info

Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) Thiol-Based Redox Regulation and Signaling

• Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Innovation in Redox Signaling
• Castelldefels, Spain | 11–12 July 2026
• Speaker abstract deadline: 5 April | Registration deadline: 13 June
• More info

Gordon Research Conference (GRS) Thiol-Based Redox Regulation and Signaling

• Bridging Redox Chemistry to Biology, Aging and Disease
• Castelldefels, Spain | 12–17 July 2026
• Registration deadline: 14 June
• More info

The Society for Redox Research Australasia & International Human Peroxidase Joint Meeting

• Christchurch, New Zealand | 2–4 September 2026
• Abstract deadline: 1 July | Early registration deadline: 17 July
• More info

17th International Conference on Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species in Plants

• Granada, Spain | 9–11 September 2026
• Abstract deadline: 2 May | Registration deadline: 30 June
• More info

23rd Biennial Meeting of SFRR International 2027

• Redox Frontiers 2027: Expanding Horizons with New Concepts and Technologies
• Sendai, Japan | 28–31 March 2027
• More information coming soon
• More info

 

Redox Reads Worth Your Time:

Research Articles

Huggler, K.S., Flickinger, K.M., Forsberg, M.H. et al. Hexokinase detachment from mitochondria drives the Warburg effect to support compartmentalized ATP production. Nat Metab (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-025-01428-1

Safi, M.T., Bangash, S.A.K., Ugalde, J.M., et al. Root growth in Arabidopsis depends on the amount of glutathione and not the glutathione redox potential. J Exp Bot (2026). https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erag017

Castillo, J.G., Silveria, S., Schirokauer. L., et al. Selective disruption of lipid peroxide homeostasis in intratumoral regulatory T cells by targeting FSP1 enhances cancer immunity. Sci Adv (2026). https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aea3703

Rullo, A., Flowers, B., Chang, K., et al. Unravelling the anti-cancer mechanisms elicited by non-covalent thioredoxin reductase inhibitors for triple negative breast cancer therapy. Redox Biol (2026). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2025.103980

Reviews to Think About

Wang, J., Li, R. & Qian, L. Intercellular mitochondrial transfer rewires redox signaling and metabolic plasticity: mechanisms, disease relevance and therapeutic frontiers. Redox Biol (2026). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2026.104019

Winterbourn, C.C. Peroxiredoxins: Antioxidant Activity, Redox Relays, and Redox Signaling. Biochemistry (2025). https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.biochem.5c00500

Naumov, L.L., Sergeeva, A.D., Katrukha, V.A., et al. In vivo studies of redox biochemistry in vertebrate tissues - present successes and future horizons. Redox Biochem Chem (2026). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbc.2025.100069

Pennington, E.R., Kinerson, E., Masood, S., et al. Evaluating real time intracellular redox toxicology using live-cell imaging approaches. Redox Biochem Chem (2026). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbc.2026.100070

Curtis, W.C. & Bradshaw, P.C. Superoxide signals for the mitophagy of dysfunctional mitochondria to maintain quality control. Redox Biol (2026). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2025.103979

New Protocols

Guo, Q., Wang, M.L., Schwaiger-Haber, M., et al. Rapid quantitation of NAD+/NADH and NADPH/NADP+ with mass spectrometry by using calibration constants. Redox Biol (2026). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2025.103953

Preprints We’re Watching

Cavalcante, G.C. & Kowaltowski, A.J. An Open-Source Code To Analyze Mitochondrial Intracellular Distribution From Fluorescence Microscopy Images. BioRxiv (2026). https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.01.06.697902

 

Call for Papers:

Journal: Redox Biochemistry and Chemistry

• Special Issue: Redox Metals in Health and Disease
• Submission Deadline: 28 February 2026
• More info

 

Redox Jobs Board:

Type of position: Tenure-track Assistant Professor

• Research topic: Biochemical and/or biophysical approaches to modern biology, including protein and nucleic acid function and dynamics, metabolism, microbial biology, and cancer biology
• Institute or university: Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, USA
• Deadline: Open until filled (review of applications begins immediately)
• Contact info: Applications must be submitted through Columbia University’s Academic Search and Recruiting (ASR) system
• Additional details or link: https://apply.interfolio.com/179345

 

Type of position: Postdoctoral position

• Research topic: Metabolic Regulators of Cancer Epigenetics
• Institute or university: Moffitt Cancer Center, USA
• Deadline: Call open until filled
• Contact info: Marcelo Bonini (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
• Aditional details: https://moffitt-cancer-center-careers.hctsportals.com/jobs/2115134-postdoctoral-fellow-focus-on-metabolic-regulators-of-cancer-epigenetics

Got a position open for a PhD student, postdoc, or technician in redox research?

Want to feature it in our next newsletter? Send us the details at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. including:

Type of position (PhD student, Postdoc, etc)

• Research topic
• Institute or university
• Deadline
• Contact info
• Additional details or link

We would like to inform you that the upcoming Skills Webinar, “Science Outreach!”, originally scheduled for Tuesday, 20th January, has been postponed. The webinar will now take place on Tuesday, 24th February at the usual time, 15:00 CET.

We’re delighted to confirm our special guest for the session: Andrés Rieznik, an acclaimed science communicator - and one very much worth the wait. We truly appreciate your understanding and hope you can join us on the new date.

At the same time, we’re excited to announce February’s webinar and keep the moment going with the sixth session of the SFRR-E ECR webinar series, “Emerging Leaders in Redox Biology”, taking place on February 3rd, 2026! This series is dedicated to showcasing early-career researchers who are pushing the boundaries of redox biology. We’re looking forward to another engaging afternoon of learning, discussion, and connection. This session will focus on the fascinating topic of “Redox regulation in cardiovascular diseases”, with presentations from two exceptional researchers: Eloisa Vilas Boas and Janina Frisch. Join us at 15:00 CET for an exciting deep dive into cutting-edge redox research!

Beta-Cell Dysfunction in Diabetes: Redox Mechanisms and Beyond

Eloisa Vilas Boas, PhD

Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Eloisa is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo (USP, Brazil), where she leads research on pancreatic beta-cell pathophysiology, focusing on the interplay between redox state and calcium homeostasis. She obtained her BSc in Pharmacy-Biochemistry (2011) and her MSc (2013) and PhD (2020) in Physiology and Biophysics, all from the University of Sao Paulo. During her PhD, co-supervised by Professors Angelo Carpinelli and Fernanda Ortis, she investigated the role of NADPH oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cytokine- and fatty acid-induced beta-cell dysfunction and death. As part of her doctoral training, she conducted a 12-month research at Saarland University (Homburg, Germany) in the lab of Prof. Leticia Roma, supported by DAAD (GradUS Global) and EFSD (Albert Renold Travel Fellowship), where she applied advanced redox imaging techniques using transgenic mice expressing the redox sensor roGFP2-Orp1. Her doctoral work provided novel insights into the real time redox regulation of beta-cell stress responses, leading to several academic awards, including the Best PhD Thesis Award from her department. In 2021, she joined the Energy Metabolism Laboratory at the Institute of Chemistry (USP) for her postdoctoral training with Prof. Alicia Kowaltowski, where she explored mitochondrial calcium transport as a key regulator of hepatic oxidative phosphorylation-work published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry and listed among the journal’s most read papers in 2021. Her current research aims to elucidate how redox and calcium signaling shape beta-cell function, survival, and adaptation to metabolic stress, using innovative live-cell imaging tools to quantify reactive oxygen species and calcium dynamics.

 

Redox signaling and ferroptosis in cardiovascular complications during chronic kidney disease.

Janina Frisch, PhD

Department of Biophysics/Redox Physiology, University of Saarland, Germany

Janina is a postdoctoral researcher at Saarland University in Germany in the group of Prof. Leticia Prates Roma at the Department of Biophysics/Redox Physiology. She studied Biomedicine at Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz and began working on viral gene transfer in the field of orthopaedics during her PhD. She later continued with a focus on gene therapy at the Paul Ehrlich Institute in Frankfurt, where she worked on tumor-specific delivery of immune checkpoint inhibitors using viral vectors. Her passion for redox biology grew when she started her current postdoctoral position, where she focuses on how redox metabolism and reactive oxygen species govern cellular adaptation in cardio-renal complications. Her methodological expertise includes genetically-encoded redox biosensors, molecular biology techniques, functional cellular readouts, and in vivo experimental models. One of her major projects is to investigate ferroptosis as a potential therapeutic target for treating cardiomyopathy in patients with chronic kidney disease.

New! Subscribe to our webinar calendar

To make it easier than ever to stay up to date, we’ve launched a dedicated webinar calendar. By adding it once, you’ll automatically see all current and future SFRR-E ECR webinars in your calendar - no need to add each session individually.

Add the webinar series calendar here:

https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/3?cid=NTIxMDk5NDRlN2Q3MzYxNGRkNTc5NzBmM2MwMTQyZjcyZTQ3MjhlZjYzNzhmZDEyNDY1ZWNiYWNhZWRjZmM0NkBncm91cC5jYWxlbmRhci5nb29nbGUuY29t

- so you never miss a webinar!

Don’t miss this inspiring continuation of the series! Mark your calendars, spread the word, and join us online for a stimulating session! We look forward to seeing you there and to another season of groundbreaking science and lively discussions with the SFRR-E ECR community.

Want to know more about what we do? You’ll find all the info about the ECR Subcommittee on the SFRR-E website.
For regular updates, follow us on Instagram (@sfrr_ecr), Bluesky (@sfrre-ecr.bsky.social‬) Twitter/X (@SFRR_Europe), and LinkedIn (SFRR-E).

Got a question, idea, or just want to say hi? Drop us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - we’d love to hear from you!

- The ECR Subcommittee Team

Dear fellow researchers, 

As we wrap up the year and step into the festive season, we’re delighted to bring you the final newsletter of 2025, filled with exciting updates from the SFRR-E ECR community. It has been a wonderful year of science, connection, and collaboration, and we’re grateful to everyone who has been part of it.

In this issue, we’re pleased to announce our next SFRR-E ECR Webinar, taking place on 13th January, kicking off the new year with fresh ideas and inspiration. We also celebrate the awardees of the 3rd PhD Symposium, recognising outstanding contributions from our early-career researchers.

Looking ahead to 2026, you’ll find all the essential information about the SFRR-E Travel Awards for the Annual Meeting in Mainz, a fantastic opportunity to present your work and connect with the wider redox community. We also highlight the SFRR-E / OCC Early Career Researcher (ECR) Fellowships - 2026, supporting the next generation of redox scientists.

Finally, we share a recap of our December webinar, featuring two excellent talks packed with valuable insights for early-career scientists.

And of course, as always, you’ll also find upcoming deadlines, interesting events, paper calls, fresh redox reads, and job opportunities you won’t want to miss.

We hope this festive edition brings you both inspiration and a moment to reflect on a successful year. Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a bright start to 2026!

Next SFRR-E ECR Webinar - January 13th!

We’re thrilled to keep the momentum going with the fifth session of the SFRR-E ECR webinar series, “Emerging Leaders in Redox Biology”, taking place on January 13th, 2026! This series is dedicated to showcasing early-career researchers who are pushing the boundaries of redox biology. We’re looking forward to another engaging afternoon of learning, discussion, and connection. This time, we’ll explore the captivating topic of “Computational Redox Biology”, with presentations from two exceptional researchers - Cameron Schmidt and Karen Guerrero Vazquez. Join us at 15:00 CET for an exciting deep dive into cutting-edge redox research!

NAD(P)H Redox State as a Mechanism for Fine Tuning Microswimmer Search Strategies

Cameron Schmidt, PhD

Department of Biology, East Carolina University, USA

Dr. Cameron A. Schmidt is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC. His research seeks to understand how energy and information intersect to inform the emergent behaviors of cells and cell collectives. His interdisciplinary group explores these questions by combining mathematical/computational modeling with laboratory experiments primarily focused on the biology of mammalian reproduction. Dr. Schmidt’s academic journey began with a B.S. in Biology, complemented by minors in Applied Mathematics and Chemistry from The University of Akron. He received a Ph.D. in Physiology from East Carolina University in 2018 and remained at ECU during his tenure as an NIH Ruth L. Kirchstein Postdoctoral Fellow in Bioenergetics and Redox Systems Biology where he studied cellular energy transduction and mitochondrial energetics in models of cancer and metabolic disease. His current NIH supported work aims to improve sperm selection for assisted reproductive therapies.

 

Karen Guerrero Vazquez, PhD

University of Galway, Ireland

Karen obtained her computer systems engineering degree and her master's in computer science in Mexico, and in 2025 earned her PhD in genomics data science at the University of Galway, Ireland. She is interested in integrating computational tools to address biological questions, especially in Machine Learning and algorithm design. She cares about computer engineering values and is especially interested in the effects of ageing in humans.

A significant part of her doctoral work was the development of the miRKat Suite, an integrated computational platform designed to help researchers prioritise therapeutic microRNA targets, and the development of predictive models to identify signature genes for ageing muscle from high-dimensional transcriptomic data. Her work has also explored the role of oxidised microRNAs.

Don’t miss this inspiring continuation of the series! Mark your calendars, spread the word, and join us online for a stimulating session! We look forward to seeing you there and to another season of groundbreaking science and lively discussions with the SFRR-E ECR community.

 

3rd PhD Symposium — Celebrating Our Awardees!

We are delighted to announce the awardees of the 3rd edition of the PhD Symposium “Redox Relay Race: PhD Students on the Move”, held on 18–19 November 2025. After two truly inspiring days of excellent science, stimulating discussions, and impressive enthusiasm, the awards go to Lucas Carvalho, Shani Doron, and Valentin Kapferer, whose outstanding contributions particularly stood out.

We would also like to warmly thank all participants for the high quality of their presentations, their engagement, and the vibrant, collaborative spirit they brought to the symposium. Your work highlights the strength and diversity of the redox community, and we strongly encourage you to keep pushing boundaries, sharing ideas, and shaping the future of the field.

 

SFRR-E / OCC Early Career Researcher (ECR) Fellowships – 2026

Ready to take the next step in your redox research career?

We are pleased to announce the 2026 Call for applications for the SFRR-E / OCC Early Career Researcher (ECR) Fellowships. These Fellowships aim to support early career researchers by providing up to €10,000 for research or seed funding for a new project in the field of redox biology, to be completed within a 12-month period. The number of Fellowships awarded will depend on the quality of the applications received.

The Fellowship funding cannot be used to cover salary costs and must not overlap with existing funding. Applicants are expected to clearly explain how receiving this Fellowship will support their future career development and research goals.

Who can apply?

Applications are open to Early Career Researchers who are current financial members of SFRR-E and whose proposed projects are relevant to redox research. Full eligibility criteria are detailed in the application guidelines.

How to apply

Applicants must submit their application using the official form available through the SFRR-E member area at https://www.sfrr-europe.org. To access the application form and guidelines, log in via “Member login & renewal” under the Membership menu and select the “SFRR-E / OCC ECR Fellowship” option in the blue menu on the left. This page also allows applicants to join the Society or renew their membership, if required.

Applications should be submitted as a single PDF file, including all required attachments, through the SFRR-E member area. Each application will be evaluated by three independent peer reviewers appointed by SFRR-E.

Important date

Application deadline: 23 January 2026

Take this opportunity to develop new ideas, generate preliminary data, and move your redox research forward.

 

SFRR-E Travel Awards – Mainz 2026

Ready to take your science on the road?

We’re excited to announce that SFRR-E Travel Awards will be available for students and postdocs to attend the 2026 SFRR-E Annual Meeting “Redox Biology, Environment Exposures and Lifestyle”, taking place in Mainz, Germany (3-5 June 2026).

What’s on offer?

Europe-based applicants: €400 travel grants for PhD students or postdocs (≤5 years post-PhD, non-permanent positions).

Outside Europe: €900 travel awards for SFRR-E or Regional SFRR Society members under the same conditions.

(Note: previous SFRR-E Travel Grant or Young Investigator Award recipients are not eligible.)

Who can apply?

PhD students and postdocs who are current members of SFRR-E (or a Regional SFRR Society outside Europe) and meet the eligibility criteria above.

How to apply

Submit your application as a single PDF via the SFRR-E intranet https://intranet.sfrr-europe.org and select the option “Travel Awards for SFRR-E Mainz” in the menu on the left.

Your PDF should include:

• • CV (max 2 pages, including PhD start/award date)
  • Motivation letter
  • Abstract intended for presentation

(Incomplete applications will not be considered.)

Important dates

• Deadline: 12 January 2026
• Results announced: before 26 January 2026 (abstract submission deadline)

Funds will be transferred after proof of registration and abstract submission.

Conference website: www.sfrremainz2026.com

Questions? Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Don’t miss your chance to join us in Mainz - and take your redox research further than ever!

 

Summary of December’s webinar:

On December’s webinar we learnt about ”Redox mechanisms in Aging” with two wonderful talks by Claudia Lennicke and Anna Gioran. If you didn’t have a chance to follow the webinar, here’s a summary for you.

Profiling of cysteine oxidation by unbiased redox proteomics reveals sex-dependent patterns during ageing

Claudia Lennicke, PhD

MRC Laboratory Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS), Institute of Clinical Sciences, Imperial College London, UK

Claudia presented her work using Drosophila melanogaster to identify specific redox-sensitive proteins that modulate lifespan. Through unbiased redox proteomics combined with targeted genetic approaches, her research demonstrated that oxidative modifications are not uniformly detrimental but instead act as regulated signals that vary across tissues, sexes, and age. These findings support the concept that finely tuned redox signaling, rather than global antioxidant capacity, is a key determinant of metabolic homeostasis and longevity.

When mitochondria falter: Impact on longevity and link to proteostasis

Anna Gioran, PhD

Chair of Biomaterials, University of Bayreuth, Germany

Anna focused on the role of mitochondrial redox metabolism in aging and disease, emphasizing how mitochondrial dysfunction perturbs redox balance, proteostasis, and organismal health. Using genetically and metabolically defined models, her work illustrated how defects in mitochondrial metabolism propagate redox stress, impacting cellular resilience and aging trajectories. She further discussed the need for metabolically relevant experimental systems to capture redox–mitochondria interactions, underscoring how improved disease-relevant models can enhance the identification of redox-targeted interventions.

Remember that you can also watch recordings of the webinars through the SFRR-E intranet!

Want to know more about what we do? You’ll find all the info about the ECR Subcommittee on the SFRR-E website.

For regular updates, follow us on Instagram (@sfrr_ecr), Bluesky (@sfrre-ecr.bsky.social‬) Twitter/X (@SFRR_Europe), and LinkedIn (SFRR-E).

Got a question, idea, or just want to say hi? Drop us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - we’d love to hear from you!

 - The ECR Subcommittee Team

 

Upcoming Events You Won’t Want to Miss:

SFRR-E Annual Meeting

• Redox Biology, environmental exposures and lifestyle
• Mainz, Germany | 3-5 June 2026
• Abstract deadline: 14 February | Early registration deadline: 21 March
• More info

 

The Society for Redox Research Australasia & International Human Peroxidase Joint Meeting

• Christchurch, New Zealand | 2-4 September 2026
• Abstract deadline: 1 July | Early registration deadline: 17 July
• More info

 

17th International Conference on Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species in Plants

• Granada, Spain | 9-11 September 2026
• Abstract deadline: 2 May | Registration deadline: 30 June
• More info

 

23rd Biennial Meeting of SFRR International 2027

• Redox Frontiers 2027: Expanding Horizons with New Concepts and Technologies
• Sendai, Japan | 28-31 March 2027
• More information coming soon
• More info

 

Redox Reads Worth Your Time:

Research Articles

Sung, E., Murakami, S., Morita, M., et al. Mitochondria regulate the cell fate decisions of megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitors. Stem Cell Reports (2025). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stemcr.2025.102720

della Volpe, L., Lee, A.J., Antoszewski, M. et al. Inhibiting ferroptosis enhances ex vivo expansion of human haematopoietic stem cells. Nat Cell Biol (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41556-025-01814-7

Shakir D., Batie M., Kwok C.S., et al. NF-kappaB is a central regulator of hypoxia-induced gene expression. EMBO Rep (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44319-025-00651-x

Zhang, JJ., Tian, RF., Song, CG. et al. Lactate mitochondrial oxidation drives stemness potential in metastatic breast cancer. Nat Commun (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-67091-y

Hu, Y., Li, Z., Li, M., et al. Targeting PRDX6-dependent localization and function of GPX4 enhances ferroptosis-mediated tumor suppression. Mol Cell (2025). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcel.2025.11.023

Toshniwal, A.G., Lam, G., Bott, A.J., et al. The fate of pyruvate dictates cell growth by modulating cellular redox potential. Elife (2025). https://doi.org/10.7554/elife.103705

 

Reviews to Think About

O'Donnell, V.B. & Bochkov, V. Oxidized phospholipids in ferroptosis, immunity and inflammation. Redox Biochem Chem (2025). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbc.2025.100061

Tian, K., Xiong, T., Zeng, D., et al. Impact of reactive oxygen species on bone regeneration in diabetes: Mechanisms and therapeutic strategies. Redox Biol (2025). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2025.103941

 

New Protocols

Miljkovic, J.L., Burger, N., Yu, C.S. et al. Simultaneous and sensitive quantification of protein and low molecular weight persulfides, polysulfides and H2S in biological samples. Nat Commun (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-66795-5

Penkov, S., Bendoula, G.L. & Fedorova, M. Strategies to minimize artificial lipid oxidation in mass spectrometry based epilipidomics analysis. Methods Enzymol (2025). https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.mie.2025.11.019

  

Preprints We’re Watching

Furusawa, T., Gujar, V., Sharma, S., et al. Peroxiredoxin 1 safeguards the nucleolar genome from oxidative damage. BioRxiv (2025). https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.11.12.685177

Castejon-Vega, B., Fernandez-Guerrero, I., Yu, Y., et al. Developmental Programming of Mitochondrial Function Limits Lifespan in Short-Lived Animals. BioRxiv (2025). https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.06.23.546283

 

Call for Papers:

Journal: Redox Biochemistry and Chemistry

• Special Issue: Redox Metals in Health and Disease
• Submission Deadline: 31 December 2025
• More info

 

Journal: Redox Biology

• Special Issue: The role of nitric oxide in redox signaling and disease: shaping the future with emerging leaders
• Submission Deadline: 31 December 2025
• More info

 

Redox Jobs Board:

Type of position: Group Leader

• Institute or university: Rudolf Virchow Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging (RVZ) University of Würzburg, Germany
• Deadline: 31 December 2025
• Contact info: Prof. Dr. Katrin Heinze (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
• Aditional details: https://www.academics.de/jobs/group-leader-f-m-d-julius-maximilians-universitaet-wuerzburg-wuerzburg-1103516

Type of position: Postdoctoral position

• Research topic: Metabolic Regulators of Cancer Epigenetics
• Institute or university: Moffitt Cancer Center, USA
• Deadline: Call open until filled
• Contact info: Marcelo Bonini (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
• Aditional details: https://moffitt-cancer-center-careers.hctsportals.com/jobs/2115134-postdoctoral-fellow-focus-on-metabolic-regulators-of-cancer-epigenetics

Got a position open for a PhD student, postdoc, or technician in redox research?

Want to feature it in our next newsletter? Send us the details at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. including:

• Type of position (PhD student, Postdoc, etc)
• Research topic
• Institute or university
• Deadline
• Contact info
• Additional details or link