At the 2026 ISPE Europe Annual Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, this past April, Professional Development Grant recipients joined pharmaceutical professionals, regulators, innovators, and thought leaders from around the world to discuss the future of the industry. The conference featured conversations on manufacturing excellence, digital transformation, regulatory developments, sustainability, and workforce development, offering attendees valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Among this year’s grant recipients was Michele Firmo, PhD, a recent graduate based in Switzerland and Data Scientist at Roche who is eager to expand his understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturing and gain exposure to the broader industry landscape. While academic achievements had provided a strong foundation, Michele viewed the conference as an opportunity to deepen his practical knowledge, learn from experienced professionals, and better understand where he fits within the global pharmaceutical industry.
Through technical sessions, networking opportunities, and interactions with professionals at various stages of their careers, Michele gained new perspectives on the importance of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning. In the video above and copy below, Michele shares his reflections on attending the conference, the key lessons he took away from the experience, and his advice for other students and recent graduates considering future ISPE events.
Insights from Michele Firmo
What inspired you to attend the 2026 ISPE Europe Annual Conference and what you were hoping to gain from the experience as a recent graduate?
I am fundamentally considered a young talent within my career path, even with a PhD. The reason is my lack of knowledge and experience in pharma manufacturing. Therefore, my hope was to get more insights; both technical insights from experts and behavioral insights from senior leaders. My goal was to learn by example: at the 2026 ISPE Europe Annual Conference, I hoped to meet people that I could actually learn from.
From what you saw and experienced at the conference, how do you think ISPE is helping shape the future of the pharmaceutical industry, especially for the next generation of professionals?
ISPE is helping shape the future of the pharmaceutical industry by connecting people in the industry. There can be no future talent development if people are working in silos. ISPE helps to break the siloed barriers that can exist within companies, allowing cross-company sharing. It must be mentioned that ISPE is also greatly connected with regulators, and their presence at the conference made that clear: the future is mostly driven by rules and laws. Interacting with regulators helps shape the industry and regulators shape the future of the industry together.
As a new ISPE member, how did attending an international conference shape your perspective on the global pharmaceutical industry and your place within it?
Attending the 2026 ISPE Europe Annual Conference helped me realize the global industry is way wider than I expected. I had known it was way beyond my little bubble, but it was definitely interesting to see where I am located not only within the company and the industry, but also in terms of my career path, by seeing people working in a variety of different roles. Ultimately, attending the international conference, which was based in Copenhagen, Denmark, and had many representatives from the local region, gave me the wish to explore more of that: it's international, but close by geographically. It seems little effort for a big benefit.
How do you see this experience influencing your academic path or early career, and what advice would you give to other ISPE students or recent graduates who are considering attending a future ISPE conference?
Be brave and interact as much as possible with people which are not from your company and people which are not there as students. Ultimately, this conference is also about getting out of one’s comfort zone.
Expanding Knowledge Through Connection and Experience
Michele’s experience highlights the value of stepping beyond traditional academic and professional environments to engage directly with the broader pharmaceutical community. While technical knowledge remains an important foundation, his reflections demonstrate that career growth also depends on exposure to experienced professionals, diverse perspectives, and real-world industry conversations.
One of Michele’s most significant takeaways was the importance of connection. Whether through discussions with senior leaders, interactions with regulators, or conversations with peers from different organizations, the conference reinforced the idea that innovation and talent development thrive when knowledge is shared openly across the industry. Events like the ISPE Europe Annual Conference create opportunities for professionals at all career stages to learn from one another and build relationships that can support long-term professional growth.
For students and recent graduates, Michele’s advice is straightforward: be proactive, be curious, and be willing to step outside your comfort zone. Meaningful conversations often happen when attendees take the initiative to introduce themselves, ask questions, and engage with professionals whose experiences differ from their own. These interactions can provide valuable insights into career pathways, industry trends, and professional development opportunities that may not be available elsewhere.
The ISPE Foundation Professional Development Grant program continues to play an important role in helping emerging professionals access these experiences. By supporting attendance at global industry events, the program helps bridge the gap between academic achievement and industry engagement, empowering the next generation of pharmaceutical leaders with the knowledge, confidence, and connections needed to succeed.
Students and recent graduates interested in advancing their professional development are encouraged to explore future grant opportunities and attend upcoming ISPE events.
Register for the 2026 ISPE Annual Meeting & Expo
Join industry leaders, innovators, regulators, and emerging professionals from around the world at the 2026 ISPE Annual Meeting & Expo, taking place 18–21 October 2026 in Washington, D.C., USA. Gain insights into the latest industry trends, expand your professional network, and discover new opportunities to advance your career in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.
Learn more and register for the 2026 ISPE Annual Meeting & Expo.
