As an early-career neuroscientist, a master’s student and pharmacologist with a strong interest in ethical experimental research, participation in the International Society for Neurochemistry (ISN) Neuroscience School represented a significant milestone in Iwhiwhu Prosper’s academic and professional development. This intensive training emphasized the relevance of the 3Rs principle and introduced him to alternative experimental models such as Drosophila melanogaster, Caenorhabditis elegans, and lobster cockroach for behavioral assessments. The programme also provided exposure to fruit fly husbandry, behavioral testing, and introductory molecular docking, collectively strengthening his research skills and shaping his approach to innovative and responsible neuroscience research.

Beyond the training, the programme included sessions led by several renowned scholars, including Prof. J. B. T. Rocha, from Biochemical Toxicology Lab, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Brazil, with Iwhiwhu engaging directly with some of the facilitators during interactive discussions, which further enriched the training experience