APS2025: Annual Scientific Meeting BPR SIG Travel Grant Recipient Report

Pauline Jubin

Pauline is a final-year PhD student at Western Sydney University, School of Medicine. Her research focuses on the molecular pathways of pain, using mass spectrometry to analyse plasma from healthy individuals and those suffering from sustained and chronic pain, with the aim of identifying proteins involved in the development and persistence of pain.

2025 Australian Pain Society 45^th Annual Scientific Meeting

Thanks to the generous support of the Australian Pain Society (APS) Travel Grant 2025, I had the opportunity to attend the APS Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) for the first time. This was not only my first APS conference, but also my first time attending a conference entirely dedicated to pain. As someone relatively new to the pain field, this experience was both eye-opening and inspiring.

The ASM provided a unique environment, bringing together researchers, clinicians, and professionals from across Australia and beyond. It was great to see both basic science and clinical aspects of pain represented throughout the conference. I really appreciated the chance to hear from researchers and clinicians alike, and to learn how scientific discoveries connect with real-world pain management.

A highlight of the experience was being able to attend the Sunday pre-conference workshop “Pain Basic Research”. This session was directly aligned with my current research interests and allowed for a deeper dive into emerging techniques and findings in pain. The grant made it possible for me to stay longer and attend this extra session, which turned out to be both really informative and closely related to my research.

Along with the invaluable academic learning I was also able to attend the different social events, giving me networking opportunities throughout the conference. These social events offered a more relaxed setting to connect with other attendees, including early-career researchers, clinicians, and some of the leading speakers. These informal conversations provided fresh perspectives and often sparked spontaneous discussions about collaborative opportunities or shared challenges in the field.

I found the talks throughout the conference exceptional. From keynote presentations to concurrent sessions, I found myself constantly engaged and curious. Many of the talks not only deepened my understanding of pain mechanisms and treatments but also left me genuinely excited to continue exploring new questions in my own research. Some sessions introduced me to entirely new areas of pain research which made me even more curious about the field.

As someone still building their knowledge in pain science, the APS conference was an invaluable opportunity to broaden my horizons. I returned with new ideas, increased motivation, and a stronger sense of connection to the wider pain research community. The exposure to diverse viewpoints and methodological approaches was an incommensurable opportunity.

I also felt very fortunate to present my research on pain-related proteins through a poster at the conference, and I am grateful to everyone who took the time to read it, ask questions, and engage in meaningful discussions.

I am extremely grateful to have received the Travel Grant, and I left the APS 2025 conference with a renewed sense of purpose and excitement for what lies ahead, and I am already looking forward to APS 2026, in Adelaide, and the new insights and collaborations it will surely bring.

Declaration: Pauline Jubin has nothing to declare.