DISSECT meeting
DISSECT Kick-Off Meeting
The inaugural Management Committee meeting launched the Action, established its leadership and working structures, and set its strategic direction.
At a glance
Meeting details
Key information from the published DISSECT programme.
Launching COST Action CA24158
The DISSECT Kick-Off Meeting was held on 25 September 2025 in Brussels, Belgium. Representatives from Europe and beyond launched the Action, established its leadership and working structures, outlined future strategy, and began networking and collaboration.
Professor Dr Wim Ceelen, an ESSO Board Member and Professor of Surgical Oncology at Ghent University, was appointed Action Chair and emphasised international cooperation in surgical oncology education and innovation.
Dr Mariela Vasileva-Slaveva was appointed Vice-Chair; Dr Marija Rankovic as Grant Holder Scientific Representative and ESSO Educational Program Manager; Dr Miroslava Chortova as Science Communication Coordinator; and Dr Sarah Cosyns as Grant Awarding Coordinator.
DISSECT is a four-year collaborative initiative intended to unite experts across disciplines and countries, enhance surgical oncology education, encourage innovation and establish sustainable research and training networks in Europe and beyond.