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Physicians Committee Travel Awards Support Early-Career Researchers Presenting Animal-Free Research
With the help of travel awards from the Physicians Committee, two early-career scientists presented their nonanimal research to academics, industry leaders, and regulatory experts at the 2025 Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting. Martina Iulini and Dre’Von Dobson traveled from the University of Milan and the University of North Carolina, respectively, to this exciting toxicology meeting in Orlando, Florida.
The Physicians Committee’s Early-Career Researchers Advancing 21st Century Science (ERA21) program provides travel awards for important conferences around the world focusing on toxicological and biomedical research. These awards are designed to support the next generation of life sciences researchers using human-based nonanimal methods. ERA21 travel awards are available for undergraduate and graduate students and early-career scientists within eight years of receiving their PhD. Awardees are selected based on their research, financial need, and dedication to promoting the replacement of animals in science.
Iulini presented her research on an animal-free method for immunotoxicology—the study of immune responses to chemicals and other toxic compounds. Currently, immunotoxicology relies heavily on animal testing, but Iulini’s research seeks to eliminate the need for animals altogether.
“By focusing on animal-free approaches, my research aims to develop more ethical, reproducible, and human-relevant models,” said Iulini. “The development of these animal-free methods is particularly important as they not only offer an ethical alternative but also provide higher human relevance compared to traditional in vivo [animal-based] assays.”
Dobson presented his work on the effects of toxic inhaled environmental pollutants in human volunteers. Dobson noted that research involving human cells and human participants should be championed for its translatability, fiscal efficiency, and lack of cruelty.
“Both Martina Iulini and Dre’Von Dobson demonstrate the amazing work early-career researchers are doing with animal-free approaches,” said Mikalah Singer, JD, LLM, a science policy specialist who organizes the travel award program. “These awards help facilitate opportunities that may have previously been difficult due to the financial demands of conferences.”
Iulini said, “This travel award and the ERA21 program provide an incredible opportunity to share my research with leading experts in toxicology, receive constructive feedback, and expand my professional network.” She added that presenting at the Society of Toxicology meeting “will not only strengthen my current research but also open doors for future collaborations, helping my establish a career dedicated to advancing innovative, animal-free toxicological approaches.”
ERA21 offers several travel award opportunities throughout the year, including for the Microphysiological Systems World Summit this June in Belgium, and the Physicians Committee’s own Summer Immersion on Innovative Approaches in Science taking place in summer 2026. The program also features a virtual workshop series for early-career researchers to learn about nonanimal science and foster career development skills from anywhere in the world. ERA21 is crucial in supporting the next generation of animal-free researchers, contributing to the important shift away from animals toward more ethical and effective approaches.
