YGVA
Young Generation of Veterinary Anatomists
YGVA aims
The purpose of the YGVA informal meetings is to enable people to exchange research experiences and associated problems, discuss new methodology and trends and to form a network of ideas whilst bringing together people from different Universities on a more informal basis alongside poster and oral presentations, workshops are organised in order to teach and enhance skills, networking and discussion in spare and social time is also encouraged at each meeting.
In practice, bringing together smaller group of people of a similar age enables one to speak more openly and ask ‘stupid’ questions. When participants meet again, i.e. at the EAVA Congress, they already know each other and which makes scientific exchange more fruitful. To further facilitate attendance for young people, the meetings are very low cost. To keep other costs low, accommodation is preferably organised in student hostels.
We intend to continue to disseminate the YGVA idea and actively promote of the upcoming meetings. We must do our best to promote YGVA and EAVA in Scandinavian, Baltic, East European and Mediterranean countries as well Great Britain and Ireland.
We aim to provide cost-effective or free workshops.
We aim to encourage membership and participation from everywhere that is new to the morphology field i.e. PhD students are heartily welcome to contact us and join future meetings.
YGVA representatives in EAVA
- 2002–2006: Christoph K.W. Muelling (Berlin)
- 2006–2010: Malan Strbenc (Ljubljana)
- 2010–2014: Pieter Cornillie (Ghent)
- 2014-2023: Catrin Rutland (Nottingham)
- 2023-present: Ivan Alic (Zagreb)
History
At the EAVA congress in Olsztyn in Poland in 2000 the idea was born that we could bring together the younger members of EAVA for an informal meeting. Ideal timing was agreed for the odd-years, between the two EAVA congresses.
First YGVA meeting in Vienna
The first opening meeting was organised by Monika Egerbacher from July 26th to 29th at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna. 16 founding colleagues attended and agreed that these informal young generation meetings were a good idea.
Second YGVA meeting in Giessen
The second meeting was organised by Christiane Pfarrer at the Veterinary Faculty in Giessen. Major part of the meeting comprised of a Cell culture Workshop. The possibility of setting up posters showcasing the scientific work of participants was also introduced. Tours to the beautiful town of Marburg and open air museum of Hessian culture kept the participants fit.
Third YGVA meeting in Ghent
The third YGVA meeting was organised by Wim van den Broeck from 13th to 15th July 2005. 37 participants had a chance to talk about their work and discuss the founding preparations for European College of Veterinary Anatomy at Veterinary Faculty in Gent. The second day was devoted to a Stereology workshop professionally carried out by staff at the Department of Veterinary Medicine in Antwerp. Guidance through historical Gent and insights into many types of Belgian beer was as self understood activity.
Fourth YGVA meeting in Ljubljana
Malan Strbenc welcomed 20 colleagues at fourth YGVA meeting from 8th – 10th July 2007 at Veterinary Faculty in Ljubljana. Again oral talks and posters were welcome. The main topic was confocal microscopy and other computer assisted imaging techniques with demonstration. Discussion time was reserved again for topics in founding activities of European College of Veterinary Anatomy (minutes). A short tour of Ljubljana prepared participants for a long trek thorough Postojna underground caves.
Fifth YGVA meeting in Utrecht
The fifth YGVA meeting was held May 21 and 22, 2009 in the Veterinary Faculty of the Utrecht University, The Netherlands with 43 participants. The main theme was plastination in teaching. The participants of the teaching anatomy session had been asked to make a presentation about their current curriculum, to experience the differences between the vet schools.
After this session a lively discussion was started leading to the following conclusions:
- Dissection is an important tool in teaching the 3D body plan, plastinates cannot replace that. It’s merely supplementary.
- In histology the ideal situation is to combine working with the microscope and digital images. The microscope provides the real image, the digital image the ideal representation.
- It is important that we focus more on clinical anatomy or applied anatomy.
- It is important to educate the teachers how to teach. The education of teachers is currently done in Hannover, Nottingham, Helsinki and Utrecht.
During this session we welcomed prof. dr Jimmy Saunders, vice-president of the ECVDI (European College of Veterinary diagnostic Imaging), Ghent University, Belgium. He came to explain the ECDVI proposal to form a joined college with our ECVAnat. With the previous conclusion that clinical anatomy is important, this proposal is welcomed. Prof. Saunders explained that the mutual benefits of a combined college. The meeting agrees with this initiative, and asks the members of the founding committee of the ECVAnat to proceed in this way.
During this meeting prof. dr Wim van den Broeck is appointed as interim representative to the board of the EAVA to replace dr. Malan Strbenc who is on sabbatical leave.
Furthermore, many presentations were given about research projects, we organised a faculty tour to the horse department and the study landscape, and afterwards we had a BBQ. The workshops were dedicated to the technical aspects of plastination and the role of plastinates in self-directed learning, both subjects the Utrecht anatomy department has a lot of experience in. All the participants were given a plastinated cat heart when saying farewell.
Sixth YGVA meeting in Nottingham, UK
The sixth YGVA meeting was held 6-9th July 2011 in the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham with 46 participants representing 15 different countries.
Throughout the meeting, 39 poster and oral presentations were given, focussing on anatomy and histology research and advances in veterinary education and anatomical teaching. The relaxed and friendly atmosphere of the meeting lead to very lively and constructive discussions after oral presentations and around the posters. We also had presentations and discussions regarding the ‘European College’ and ‘Anatomical Education’ which gave us the opportunity to share experiences, put ideas forward and to discuss possible future directions. We were delighted to see the progress that has been made with the European Master of Comparative Morphology. In addition to the tour of the Vet School, there was also a 3 hour workshop about the usage of technology in teaching veterinary anatomy. This includes the ‘hand on’ exploration of teaching tools and innovations used in the lecture theatres, clinical skills, dissection and surgery laboratories. This gave us more opportunities to compare the different techniques used in Vet Schools across Europe (and beyond). Much of the discussion was around the use of technologies (including models, computer software development) and about the clinical importance and integration of anatomy into the modern curriculum.
As always, this meeting was lively and sociable. We enjoyed a reception dinner at the Vet School, English Afternoon Strawberry Tea during a poster session and a countryside walk to have dinner at a Traditional British Pub. We also participated in an electrifying cricket match, where despite the famous British rain, thunder and lightning – play continued until all of the Young Generation Anatomists retired for a BBQ party.
We would like to thank the Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland and James Cook University Australia for their kind sponsorship. We would also like to thank Dr Pieter Cornillie (YGVA representative), Professor Salazar (EAVA president) and everyone that helped us to organise, plan and carry out the meeting. Finally we would like to thank all of the delegates who provided us with such an exciting and informative meeting.
Dr Catrin Rutland and Dr Karl Klisch.
Seventh YGVA meeting in Leipzig, Germany
The seventh meeting of the YGVA was held in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Germany from 17th to 20th of July 2013 with 83 participants from 18 different countries attending.
This meeting offered a modified open space conference including interactive workshops covering a variety of different scientific methods. Additionally the participants took the opportunity to present their research in an oral as well as in a poster session. Altogether 22 oral and practical contributions were given within the workshops; additionally 15 oral and 32 poster presentations were delivered in classical sessions.
The participants appreciated having their own contribution in designing their contents for the workshop. They particularly enjoyed the practical hands-on parts. As the setting of the workshops offered a very relaxed atmosphere, especially the younger participants did not hesitate to take part in the vivid discussions.
Apart from the scientific program emphasis was also put on different social activities. So the welcome reception took place at the on-site BBQ area after a scavenger hunt across the campus. After Thursday´s dinner in the anatomical museum we all could present our “throwing” talents while playing “kubb” (Scandinavian Viking Chess) accompanied by a mob of very hungry German mosquitos. Furthermore the participants could enjoy a tour through the historic city center by foot or a journey through “Gondwanaland” of the Leipzig Zoo.
On Friday Claudia Wolschrijn provided an overview and update on the continued efforts towards establishing a European College Diploma of Veterinary Anatomy. Afterwards the present members of the EAVA elected the new representative of the YGVA. We are very pleased that Catrin Rutland will act in our interest from next summer on!
Last but not least we would like to thank all our sponsors, without their generous support this meeting would have been impossible! Furthermore a great thank-you to all our smart and busy helpers before, during and after this successful meeting!
On behalf of the organizing committee
Dori Bernigau and Mondy Bahramsoltani.
Eighth YGVA meeting in Poznan, Poland
The sixth YGVA meeting was held 15-17th July 2015 in the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences. Poznan University of Life Sciences.
The opening of the conference was held in the Collegium Rungego the oldest building of the Poznan University of Life Sciences build in 1914. The Meeting gathered more than 70 participants from most European countries and from Brazil, USA, Algieria, Tunisia, Iran. The oral and poster session took place in the lecture hall of the new building of University Centre of Veterinary Medicine. During the conference five oral sessions were held with 23 presentations, plus one poster session with 41 posters and three young generation interactive workshops.
During the conference the participants had an opportunity to take a part in the guide tour to the Old Market of Poznań and the Rogalin Palace. Combining history with informal discussions about our research and teaching was invaluable. In the evening all of us gathered to try the traditional dishes of Poland in a fun filled evening full of new foods making new friends.
On the last day, participants attended a wonderful BBQ at the Warta river in the Forestry Training Facility in Puszczykowo. Sitting by the river, playing informal games in the field and gathering around the fire pit we all got to understand more about our cultures and work, our hobbies and research and more about our universities. Making new friends and seeing old friends by the Polish river.
Ninth YGVA meeting in Brno, Czech Republic
The ninth meeting of the YGVA was held in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Czech Republic from 12th to 24th of July 2017 with 79 participants from 20 different countries from across the globe.
The participants of the meeting had an opportunity to share and discuss their knowledge through 30 posters and 16 oral presentations covering topics from histology through anatomy teaching to anatomy of diagnostic imaging. Afternoons offered practical workshops focused on practical application of anatomy in osteoarchaeology through real archaeological bone recognition and practical application of embryology by handling of chicken embryos using different techniques. The participants also had an opportunity to explore the university through several tours organized during the afternoons.
Importantly, the meeting involved election of the new YGVA representative, where present EAVA members re-elected Dr. Catrin Rutland from Nottingham, UK.
And for a need of “work and life balance”, there were social activities organized. These included a tour of UNESCO architectural heritage “Tugendhat Villa” and Mendel Museum with Augustinian Abbey visit followed by beer tasting and a dinner at a famous Starobrno brewery. The meeting was concluded on Friday with barbecue dinner at Santon hotel with a beautiful view of Brno lake. In closing, we must thank our sponsors, who contributed from across the Europe, and last, but not least to all the staff and students from the Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology in Brno, without their support organizing this meeting would not be possible.
On behalf of the organizing committee
Michal Kyllar and Petr Čížek.
Tenth YGVA meeting in Bucharest, Romania
The 10th Meeting of the Young Generation of Veterinary Anatomists – YGVA 2019, “United in Veterinary Anatomy by the Danube and Carpathian Land”, was held from 24th to 26th of July 2019 at the University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine (USAMV) in Bucuresti, România, with 116 participants representing delegates of 38 Universities and Research Centers from 15 different countries.
This meeting aimed to unite young at heart and very young researchers and represented an excellent opportunity to exchange research experiences and educational activities. It opened debates about new methodologies and trends in Anatomy and Embryology alongside clinical applicability, Histology and Cell Biology correlated with Pathology, Imaging, and Teaching and Experimental Models in Morphology. All of this animated collaborations between European Universities and beyond. In this sense, a few colleagues from areas such as Human Medicine, Veterinarian Pathology, Biology and Biochemistry joined us. Altogether, 14 oral presentations and 32 poster presentations were delivered with 56 abstracts published in the official Proceedings book.
Additional workshops included four oral and practical presentations, complete with demonstrations which continued the themes of Veterinary Morphology in Europe and its evolution in modern times. Topics included the use of Multiphoton Microscopy, 3D-Printed simulators for laboratory animal courses, the evolution of Plastination Techniques and even the first I-Pad-based electronic exams in Anatomy at the Leipzig University.
Within this 10th edition of YGVA, the EAVA President, Professor Claudia Wolschrijn, had the pleasure of handing the Award for EAVA Young Researcher Career Development Scholarship to Kristýna Glocová.
YGVA Discussions provided an opportunity to initiate debates regarding ways of teaching and examination, the increase in information volume and the data that students have access to, as well as the growing imbalance in the teacher-student ratio. All this lead to the launch of a proposal of Dr. Michal Kyllar, EAVA Secretary General, to create an Education Committee within EAVA which would establish a guideline of the basic knowledge those students should know when they graduate Academic Veterinary Programs. As per usual, everything took place in a friendly, light atmosphere. The social program included visits to the Agronomie-Herăstrău campus gardens, the Palace of Parliament which is considered the second largest administrative building in the world and the “Dimitrie Gusti” Village Museum. All in all, it was an experience which combined Romanian traditions with some of the iconic București landmarks. In the evenings, guests could enjoy themselves to savoury local beer and delicious food, surrounded by a youthful spirit and live music at Berăria H and Hard Rock Cafe until early morning hours. This time, the meeting extended until Saturday with a Post YGVA Tour, where some members experienced the natural beauty of the Carpathian Mountains and visit two of the most impressive castles of România: the fairytale Peleș Castle and the mystic Bran Castle, the inspiration behind the Dracula legend.
We are entirely grateful to His Excellency, Professor Sorin Mihai Cîmpeanu, Rector of USAMV București, to Professor Florin Stănică, Vice-Rector of USAMV București, to the EAVA Board, to special guest Professor Fred Sinowatz, the Editor-in-Chief of Anatomia, Histologia, Embryologia, to our sponsors and our dedicated students. Without their continuous support none of this would have been possible. Thank you to everyone who celebrated this special moment, the 10th YGVA Meeting, in an open, joyful and inspiring atmosphere, maintaining the younger generation’s flow!
On behalf of the organizing committee
Iuliana Cazimir
Eleventh YGVA meeting in Zürich, Switzerland
The 11th Meeting of the Young Generation of Veterinary Anatomists (YGVA) was held at the Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland, on July 20th -22nd 2022. In total, 62 participants from 15 nations joined the meeting. After two years of online-meetings, this was for most of the participants, the first presential meeting. The meeting was financially supported by the Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, UZH Alumni and Anatomage.
The scientific program was composed of 19 oral talks and the presentation of 36 posters. In addition to different research topics, several scientific contributions from the participants focused in new teaching methods, developed in response to distance teaching, in addition to new technologies, i.a., 3D scans and 3D printing, and new informatic tools. The proceedings of the congress were published with the ISBN 978-3-033-09341-6. Part of one day was also dedicated to small workshops, proposed by some participants, on a variety of topics ranging from plastination, replacement of formalin, interactive models for teaching, troubleshooting and outreach with the general public. The social program also provided, in a more informal environment, a good opportunity for networking and exchange, giving the possibility to talk, listen, learn, and -last but not least- meet old and new friends and colleagues.
The organizing committee:
- Karl Klisch
- Reyhaneh Hooshmandabbasi
- Miguel Tavares Pereira
Twelfth YGVA Meeting in Zagrab, Croatia
The 12th Meeting of the Young Generation of Veterinary Anatomists (YGVA) was held at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia, on July 17th-19th 2024. In total, 100 participants from 16 nations joined the meeting. The meeting was financially supported by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb (Clinics: Surgery, Internal Diseases, Reproduction, Infectious Diseases and Radiology), Agroproteinka, Anatomage, Biosistemi, Biovit, Disocover-In, Gorea Plus, Grupa Pivac, Majo-Vet, Medicom, Hrvatska Veterinarska Komora, Milla&Max Pet Cosmetics and Veterinarska stanica Križevci.
The scientific program was composed of 19 oral talks, 34 poster presentations and 4 workshops as follows: Archaeozoology, Marine Mammals, Neuroscience and Anatomage. The proceedings of the congress were published in “Anatomia Histologia Embryologia” https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14390264/2024/53/S1 (DOI: 10.1111/ahe.13066). The scientific program covered different topics, techniques, species and approaches. Finally, as always, during the YGVA meetings the social program was a great opportunity for networking and discussion with friends and colleagues!
The social program also provided, in a more informal environment, a good opportunity for networking and exchange, giving the possibility to talk, listen, learn, and -last but not least- meet old and new friends and colleagues.
ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Ivan Alić, president
Ante Plećaš, vice president
Lucija Bastiančić, Niko Ivkić, Katarina Kapuralin, Magdalena Kolenc, Kim Korpes, Sandra Kunštek, Denis Leiner, Mirela Pavić Vulinović, Iva Šimunić, Nikolina Škvorc, Dunja Vlahović, Mirta Vučković
SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE
Miljenko Bujanić, Melania Crisan, Martina Đuras, Valentina Kubale Dvojmoč, Snježana Kužir, Michal Kyllar, Maja Maurić Maljković, Damir Mihelić, Christoph Mülling, Srebrenka Nejedli, Christiane Pfarrer, Catrin Rutland, Tajana Trbojević Vukičević
Students
Tomislav Ćurin, Ana Družeta, Nikolina Grdić, Enola Gržin, Doroteja Hunjadi, Karla Kirin, Flora Lalić, Antonio Mamić, Maks Papež, Tara Adelaide Rutherford, Lara Šimunović, Marija Štern-Vukotić, Matea Tomec, Jana Turković
