Laboratory Exchange Programme (EFLMLabX)

Participating in the EFLMLabX Exchange Programme gave me the opportunity to spend two months, from January to February 2026, at the Laboratory of Inherited Metabolic Diseases of Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù in Rome. The main objective of my stay was to expand my knowledge of peroxisomal disorders, an area of inherited metabolic diseases in which I was particularly interested in gaining practical experience.

The exchange provided an excellent opportunity to deepen my knowledge of mass spectrometry applied to the diagnosis of inherited metabolic diseases. During my stay, I gained experience with both liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), becoming familiar not only with the analytical techniques themselves but also with the principles behind method development, optimisation, validation and interpretation of biochemical results.

The EFLM bursary program gave me the opportunity to complete a month-long internship at the Institute of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics at the University Hospital Center in Osijek, Croatia. I applied to go there because it is a highly specialized laboratory that conducts both routine and a wide range of specialized tests. My application was accepted by Professor Željko Debeljak, the head of the hosting laboratory. The main goal of my internship was to learn the basics of the MALDI-TOF technique in proteomic analysis and trace element analysis with emission spectroscopy from experienced colleagues, so that I can introduce these two techniques at my workplace in the future

As part of the EFLM LabX exchange program, I completed a three-month placement (December 2025 – March 2026) at the Biological Markers of Nutrition Laboratory of the Lille University Hospital in Lille, France. I am particularly grateful to Dr. Guillaume Grzych for offering me this incredible opportunity. I would also like to thank Prof. Dr. Tomris Özben, President of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, for her academic guidance and institutional support. This experience greatly enhanced my professional development and also my perspective regarding the social responsibility of laboratory medicine. I am currently working as a resident doctor in the Department of Medical Biochemistry at Balıkesir University Health Application and Research Hospital, Turkiye.

Participating in the EFLMLabX Exchange Program through a two-week international internship at the Clinical Department of Laboratory Diagnostics of Dubrava University Hospital in Zagreb proved to be a deeply formative experience, both professionally and personally. What was initially conceived as a short period of training soon unfolded into an opportunity for reflection, inspiration, and meaningful European exchange.
The internship was primarily centered on quality assessment and quality management, offering insight into how the different elements of a well-established Quality Management System (QMS) function within a large University Hospital Laboratory. Fully aligned with ISO 15189:2022, the system illustrates how international standards can be implemented not as rigid frameworks, but as practical tools that support reliability, consistency, and patient-centered laboratory practice.
However, the most valuable lesson extended well beyond understanding compliance or responding to normative requirements. What stood out most was the deeply embedded culture of quality. At Dubrava, quality is not treated as an administrative obligation, but as a shared professional value. This commitment is evident in the attitude of every member of the laboratory team, whose sense of responsibility, precision, and engagement left a particularly strong impression on me.

It was a great privilege to participate in the EFLM LabX exchange programme and to visit the Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic, between 17 and 30 November 2025.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Ivan Šebesta, MD, PhD, who supervised my visit and prepared a well-structured programme tailored to my professional interests. I am also grateful to Prof. Tomáš Zima, Head of the Institute, for welcoming me to the department and enabling this valuable educational opportunity. I would additionally like to thank Prof. Dr. Doğan Yücel, Head of the Turkish Biochemistry Society, for his continuous academic guidance and institutional support. I also sincerely acknowledge the EFLM LabX programme for providing an outstanding platform that promotes international collaboration and professional development in laboratory medicine.

Through the EFLMLabX international exchange, I completed a two-week training in Heraklion, Crete, jointly hosted by the Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry at the University of Crete (School of Medicine) and the Clinical Chemistry–Biochemistry Laboratory at the University Hospital of Heraklion, under the supervision of Professor Christos Tsatsanis. The training took place between 13 and 27 September 2025. My primary assignment was in the research laboratory, where I was actively involved in day-to-day bench work while collaborating closely with researchers and staff from both the research and clinical laboratories.

I am Zeliha Ahsen GÜNEŞ, a medical doctor specializing in Clinical Biochemistry in Ankara Oncology Research and Training Hospital. I was honored to participate in the EFLM LabX Exchange Program, which took place between 25–29 August 2025 at the Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Białystok. The training was coordinated under the guidance of Assoc. Prof. Olga M. Koper-Lenkiewicz whom is highly experienced specialist in the field of laboratory medicine.

As part of the EFLMLabX international exchange programme, I had the opportunity to visit two laboratories in Heraklion on Crete: the Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, and the Clinical Chemistry-Biochemistry Laboratory, University Hospital of Heraklion, both led by Professor Christos Tsatsanis.

My name is Angelina Olena, a laboratory medicine trainee from Latvia with a strong interest in clinical chemistry, immunology, and molecular diagnostics. In July 2025, I was honored to join the Clinical Chemistry-Biochemistry Laboratory at the University Hospital of Heraklion, as well as the research facilities of the University of Crete Medical School, through the EFLM LabX exchange programme. This opportunity allowed me to experience both clinical and academic approaches to laboratory diagnostics in a well-coordinated, interdisciplinary setting.

The training was thoughtfully structured, combining hands-on exposure to routine diagnostic work with insights into translational and research-based applications. I had the opportunity to observe and learn within both clinical and research environments, which greatly enriched my understanding of laboratory medicine in a broader context.

I would like to begin by expressing my heartfelt gratitude to Prof. Enrico Iaccino for warmly welcoming me into his laboratory and for his invaluable guidance throughout my stay. I am also deeply thankful to the EFLM Committee for organizing such a valuable and inspiring program for young scientists and doctors like myself. Lastly, I extend my sincere appreciation to our department head, Prof. Dr. Ali Ünlü, for his continuous support and encouragement, which made this enriching experience possible.As a resident doctor in the Department of Medical Biochemistry at Selçuk University Hospital in Turkey, I am driven by a passion for advancing my knowledge and skills in the field. This motivation led me to apply for and be accepted into the EFLM LabX program, where I had the incredible opportunity to receive one month of hands-on training in the laboratory of Prof. Enrico Iaccino at the University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Italy.

My name is Josipa Raguž, and I am a young specialist in laboratory medicine from Croatia. I am a member of the Croatian society of medical biochemistry and laboratory medicine and the Croatian Chamber of Medical Biochemists, where I actively participate in several committees. I am also a member of the EFLM Task Group for EuLab Day. Additionally, I am part of the EFLM e-Academy, where I actively engage and utilize the available learning materials for professional development.
I had the honour and pleasure of being awarded the EFLM bursary to participate in the EFLM LabX exchange program, for which I am immensely grateful. This was an exciting and invaluable experience for me, both personally and professionally.

My journey started with a simple application on the EFLM LabX platform. Little did I know that within a few months, I would be on a flight to Poland, ready to take part in what would become an eye-opening experience. Held from September 16th to 20th, 2024, at the Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics of the Medical University of Bialystok, Poland, under the supervision of Assoc. Professor Olga M. Koper-Lenkiewicz and Assoc. Professor Joanna Kaminska, this program offered cutting-edge training in the analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), body cavity fluids, and urinalysis. The workshop was not only a learning experience but also a chance to share knowledge with experts from different parts of the world.

I am Dr. Kaan Kuzu, MD. I work as a resident doctor at İzmir Bozyaka Education and Research Hospital, and I am nearing the end of my third year of education. From October 6 to October 18, 2024, I had the invaluable opportunity to participate in a two-week training program under the EFLM LabX program at the University Medical Centre Maribor in Slovenia, led by Evgenija Homšak. Being accepted into this program was both a great honor and a source of excitement for me. Since many methods are applied outside of biochemistry laboratories in my country, having the chance to work specifically in an immunology laboratory was uniquely meaningful and exciting for me. Working at the high standards of the Maribor laboratory, being introduced to modern equipment, and closely observing the healthcare and laboratory practices of another country enriched my professional knowledge and skills considerably.

It was an absolute pleasure to visit The Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics of the General University Hospital and the First Faculty of Medicine of Charles University (Prague, Czech Republic). Initially, I would like to express my gratitude to Prof. Dr. Tomas Zima, the head of the department, for accepting and welcoming me to their laboratories, to Dr. Ivan Sebesta for his continuous support during my visit,  to the Chair of the EFLM Profession Committee, Prof. Evgenija Homsak, and Silvia Terragni for making this opportunity possible, and to Prof. Dr. Doğan Yücel, the head of the Turkish Biochemistry Society, for his invaluable support and mentorship.

I am Nino Maziashvili a young scientist, MSc of biology and a member of the EFLM TG YS. I was honored to take part in the EFLM LabX program for a week, from 19th to 23th
August, I had the opportunity to visit the Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics at the Medical University of Bialystok under the leadership of Professor Joanna Matowicka-Karna. The course was led by highly qualified and skilled practitioners, Assoc. Professor Olga M. Koper-Lenkiewicz and Assoc. Professor Joanna Kaminska. Professor Olga M. Koper-Lenkiewicz, head of the training, accepted my application and generously offered to visit her laboratory to exchange knowledge in the following fields: cerebrospinal fluid analysis, examination of body cavity fluids, synovial fluid analysis, urine diagnostics (which covers also cytological examination), and parasitic and immunoserological diagnostics.

EFLM LabX report

by Nancy Larocca, Spain

My name is Nancy, I´m a Clinical Analysis resident at Hospital Universitario A Coruña, Galicia, Spain. My training period at Laboratory of Immunology and Primary Immunodeficiencies at NOVA Medical School (Lisbon, Portugal) ended two weeks ago. This center has been involved since last years in the implementation of assays for the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with immune disorders, also establishing research projects that allow to increase our knowledge in the area of immunodeficiencies.

I have vivid memories of the beginning of my academic journey at the University of Zagreb, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry. It was marked by overwhelming enthusiasm for the field of laboratory medicine, and I eventually earned a master's degree in medical biochemistry. Despite thinking I was done with learning during specialization, life had different plans. An unexpected opportunity arose for a Ph.D. journey at the University of Osijek, Faculty of Medicine. Focused on altered iron metabolism in colorectal cancer patients, compelling project reignited my commitment to the learning process. Alongside working at Osijek University Hospital's Department of Laboratory Diagnostics since 2015 as EuSpLM, I initiated activities in the Croatian Society of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine (CSMBLM) and the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM). I had the honor to meet and collaborate with colleagues from Europe, directing their enthusiasm to elevate Laboratory Medicine in healthcare system. The possibility of applying for an internship through the EFLM LabX program, intrigued me since first time I heard about it...

I was honored to take part in the EFLM LabX program and for 2 weeks, from 16th to 30th October, I had the opportunity to visit the Institute of Medical Biochemistry And Laboratory Diagnostics – General University Hospital and the 1st Medical faculty of Charles University (Prague, Czech Republic). Prof. Tomáš Zima, the dean of the medical faculty and head of the laboratory, accepted me and offered a visit to the university laboratories to exchange knowledge in the following fields: Cytogenetics, Molecular Genetics, Prenatal and neonatal screening and inborn error diagnostics. My visit in laboratories was generously supervised by Dr. Ivan Šebesta.

As for me, I am a young doctor of laboratory medicine. For almost 11 years, I have been working in a local private medical laboratory named Mrcheveli as an assistant medical doctor of Genetics. The objectives of my Exchange programme were to observe all the phases of analysis, including pre- and postanalytics, to learn the different methods of diagnostics and bioinformatic analyses and according to the experience gained here, gradually help to establish the technology and knowledge development for the mentioned Laboratory disciplines in my home Laboratory. At present, samples for many tests from the above-mentioned disciplines are sent abroad, mainly to Germany, because there are no laboratories capable of doing such tests in Georgia and the Caucasus region...

My name is Ksenia, I am a medical laboratory scientist from Russia. My visit to the Clinical Chemistry-Biochemistry Laboratory, University General Hospital of Heraklion under the EFLM-LabX exchange program ended a few weeks ago.

I applied to participate in the program in May, and already in October Professor Tsatsanis was waiting for me at the Clinical Chemistry-Biochemistry Laboratory. Thanks to the financial support from EFLM, I was able to get this invaluable experience and plunge into my favorite job, but in a different country.

I got acquainted with the details of the laboratory work, new equipment and methods, and saw the differences in the healthcare system between our countries. The most valuable part of this training is the people I had the opportunity to work with. From the first day, I was surrounded by professionals who shared their knowledge and experience with me.

Professor Tsatsanidis provided assistance and support at every step, from discussing my training to my leave. I spent most of the time in the Clinical Chemistry-Biochemistry Laboratory, but thanks to Prof. Tsatsanis, I was able to visit other laboratories in the hospital...

From my spontaneous decision to apply on the EFLM LabX platform to the rapid and positive response from the EFLM Committee, this journey has been a series of wonderful surprises. The knowledge and skills gained during this internship have significantly enhanced my abilities as a laboratory medicine resident and researcher.

This experience has been nothing short of life-changing, and I am immensely grateful to the EFLM Committee for the financial support and the chance to enrich my knowledge and skills in the Laboratory Medicine field...

EFLMLabX is one of the most practical ways to take your career one step ahead. I would like to express my endless gratitude to the EFLM association for giving me that opportunity. Before going into the details of the wonderful experience, let me briefly introduce myself. After completing medical school in 2014, I worked in the emergency room for a year and a half. During that time, I realized that I was interested in the wide world of biochemistry and I turned to this field. I entered Medical Biochemistry Specialization Program which requires top scores with the National Medical Specialization Exam in Türkiye and completed my 4-year specialization education in 2020. For 3 years, I have been working as a Specialist Doctor in a governmental laboratory that has been dealing with more than 6500 samples of 2000 patients on average daily...

There have been many things I wanted to do throughout my career. But what I would most was an opportunity for international cooperation. Unfortunately, although I am a scientist who writes international articles, I have never had the opportunity to communicate internationally in my professional life.  Moreover, I was over the age of 40, when all scholarship opportunities were over. When I thought that was not possible anymore, I discovered the EFLM-Labx service and applied. And, I was accepted University Clinical Center Maribor in Slovenia for Laboratory diagnostics of autoimmune diseases with EFLMLabx scholarship.

Judit Gonda from Budapest, Hungary shared her EFLM LabX experience from the UCL Saint-Luc laboratory in Brussels, Belgium. During the winter of 2022, she spent one month at the laboratory headed by Prof. Damien Gruson. Her exchange program was supported by the EFLM LabX bursary, and the aim of the visit was to learn routine work in the laboratory as well as to collect notable knowledge about the measurement and evaluation of cardiac biomarkers from prof. Gruson and his colleagues...