Dear colleagues,
Beginning in February 2025, I am honored to co-chair the NSC Working Group on ‘Research Output management, FAIRness & sharing’.
My journey started in a molecular lab, gloves at hand, conducting experiments, mixing solutions, performing steps, uncovering patients with leukemia. Then, I leaped into the digital world, where instead of a biological sample waiting for you, there is, data, waiting for someone to tell their story.
We live in exciting times: data are generated in laboratories or modelled, shaped by human expertise, captured somewhere before they vanish, structured, and finally laced together into a tapestry of information and meaning. A single piece of information, no matter how small or incomplete, holds inherent value. I believe every data point deserves to be seen, recorded, and given the chance to contribute to something greater. In Greek we say, “Φασούλι το φασούλι γεμίζει το σακούλι” (bean by bean, the bag fills).
Since joining the ASINA project in 2020, working on data management, FAIR principles and modelling (ML), I have witnessed a shift. What began as the concept of a data shepherd and a living document has evolved into concrete tools, methodologies and practices that have become inherent and indispensable to research and in every funding proposal. During my Marie Curie fellowship, I witness firsthand how data, far from being transient, drive innovation well beyond their initial intent.
There is a great challenge in navigating our FAIR vehicles across the life cycle stages and SSbD dimensions of advanced materials. Let us work together towards new ideas for unlocking the full potential of data with innovative tools and modeling ensuring every datum count and make this panel have a real impact.
Irini Furxhi