Between July 22 and 26, 2025, NOVA Medical School hosted the XXIX International Symposium on Morphological Sciences (ISMS 2025), a prestigious international event that brought together 284 specialists from all over the world to share the latest advances in Anatomy and other Morphological Sciences.
The 5-day event included 3 workshops/courses in cadaveric dissection and anatomical research techniques promoted by the industry, 3 important administrative meetings of the World Federation of Anatomy (IFAA), the International Committee of Morphological Sciences (ICSMS) and the Portuguese Anatomical Society, 16 thematic symposia, totaling 53 oral presentations, submission of 263 abstracts, 8 sessions totaling 103 oral communications and 107 posters spread over 6 sessions.
The program also included events such as the PEAP (IFAA Presidential Emergent Anatomists Program Workshop), the Forum ‘The Anatomical Fellowship: a New Approach to Training Much-Needed Anatomy’ and the ‘Meet the Editor Session’, where the many participants asked a panel of journal editors about issues related to the publication of scientific articles in Anatomy.
The event culminated with the award of the Anatomist Excellence Award, given to Professor João Erse de Goyri O'Neill, in recognition of his outstanding lifetime contribution to the Morphological Sciences, with special emphasis on the relations promoted with the Anatomical Associations of South America; and the Leonardo da Vinci Award, given to Professor Diogo de Freitas Branco Pais, for his exceptional services to the development of international relations between morphological institutions and for the excellent organization of ISMS 2025.
NOVA Medical School Professor Diogo Pais was also appointed to two positions of high responsibility and international prestige, as President of the International Committee of Morphological Sciences (ICSMS), for a 5-year term, and President of the Portuguese Anatomical Society, for a 2-year term.
These recognitions reinforce the central role that NOVA Medical School and its researchers play on the international scientific scene and consolidate Portugal's image as a center of excellence in Morphological Sciences research.
For more information on the symposium and its main highlights, see the official event website: isms2025.org