Lithuanian Scientist Contributes to the Research Mission in Cancer of the Research and Innovation Programme “Horizon Europe”

European Commission finishes the EU Research and Innovation Programme for 2021 – 2027 “Horizon Europe” with the foreseen budget allocations of 100 billion EUR.

While modelling the new European Union research and innovation programme ”Horizon Europe”, the European Commission formed mission boards that will define research missions and their implementation in five main areas: climate change, cancer, healthy oceans, climate-neutral cities and healthy soil and food. Medical doctor and PhD in Medicine Ms. Jelena Rascon from the Faculty of Medicine at Vilnius University and the Center for Pediatric Oncology and Hematology at Vilnius University Children’s Hospital will contribute to the mission board assembly devoted to cancer.

Vice-Rector of Vilnius University prof. Rimantas Jankauskas notices that the European Commission’s decision to engage a medical researcher from Vilnius University demonstrates enhancing confidence in Lithuanian medicine research and its level of excellence. With engagement of dr. Jelena Rascon in the cancer assembly of future “Horizon Europe”, the visibility of Lithuanian medicine research will allow for our academic community’s effective integration into the European one, simultaneously over-coming stereotypes about two-speed Europe.

Prof. Augustina Jankauskienė, Director for Innovations at Vilnius University Hospital “Santaros Clinics“, emphasizes that experience of doctor Jelena Rascon will provide with the opportunity to represent Lithuania, at the same time raising the level of our medical researchers and clinical practitioners. This will also open up the possibilities to contribute to the health challenges of the European society, since cancer and its treatment still remains a challenge for each European country regardless of its economic and social situation.

For the last five years doc. dr. Jelena Rascon has been leading the Center for Pediatric Oncology and Hematology in Lithuania. She was the first researcher in onco-hematology, who transferred the experience from the Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute at Children's Hospital in Cincinnati (the USA). Doctor Jelena Rascon says that: “The news about an opportunity to contribute to the formation of the agenda for the European research personally is the evaluation of my achievements and initiatives, but also another huge challenge on how to overcome cancer invoking my competences, experience and ideas for the European academic community and clinical practice.”

Each mission board consists of 15 experts in the field.

In mid-October, the European Commission announced that due to the large number of expert applications for the mission boards, assemblies of the relevant scientific fields would be formed to support the mission boards. More information can be found here.

The main purpose of the “Horizon Europe” is ensuring the European Union’s leading position among the world-class research and innovation.

 

For more information:
Head of Department of Communication and Marketing of Vilnius University
Ervinas Spūdys,

Public Relations Officer of Vilnius University Children's Hospital
Jolanta Normantienė,