Q-Retreat 2025 in Queensland

The second IRTG 2843 "Q-Retreat" was held in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast from September 29 until October 3, 2025, with a large group of participants from JLU, JKI and HGU joining our colleagues in Queensland along with five of our International Scientific Advisory Board members for a week of science, training and networking. Highlights included elevator pitches where students presented their research to some unexpected guests (including the Pope, the US president, Gordon Ramsey and Gregor Mendel...), a great science seminar on pangenomics-informed oat breeding by SAB member (and former JLU graduate) Dr. Wubishet Bekele, a group dinner at Brisbane's iconic Customs House and a two-day excursion to two state research facilities on Queensland's Sunshine Coast to learn about pineapple, macadamia and fish breeding. Thanks to Jules for the fantastic organisation – we're already looking forward to the next Q-Retreat in Giessen in summer 2026!