The ISUOG World Congress 2025 gives researchers the opportunity to showcase their unique work. Hear from Anna Ridder, last year's Top Abstract Award Winner, on her abstract submission, presentation and overall Congress experience.
My name is Anna, and I am an OBGYN resident in the final year of my residency. Currently, I am on maternity leave, having recently welcomed our daughter. During my training, I pursued a PhD at St. George’s Hospital under Prof. Asma Khalil and Prof. Basky Thilaganathan, focusing on the maternal cardiovascular system in pregnancies at high risk for preterm preeclampsia. My interests lie in combining clinical obstetrics with academic research, especially in high-risk pregnancies.
I have always admired ISUOG as a prestigious institution in our field, and submitting an abstract to their World Congress has been a longstanding dream of mine.
I saw this as a unique opportunity to share my work with an international audience of experts and learn from some of the brightest minds in the field.
This was my first abstract submission to a conference, which felt both daunting and exciting. My main advice for first-timers is to focus on clarity. Avoid unnecessary, wordy information, and stick to the core message of your research. When preparing my presentation, I followed ISUOG’s official abstract submission guidelines. The structure they provide is incredibly helpful, and I noticed during the Congress that presentations adhering to this format stood out for their clarity and professionalism.
One thing I cannot emphasize enough is the importance of practice. I rehearsed my presentation more than 50 times.
This may sound excessive, but it gave me confidence in every word and transition. When dealing with nerves my mantra was: nobody here wants to see me fail. Even if I didn’t perform perfectly, I reminded myself that the sheer volume of high-quality presentations at ISUOG means that, in the worst case, mine might simply fade into the background. But if it went well, it would be remembered positively—so it’s a win-win.
Travelling to the Congress was straightforward for me, as I live in Vienna and was able to drive to Budapest. ISUOG always ensures its events are held in accessible international locations, which is a great advantage for participants. The Congress itself was incredibly well-organized—from the smooth check-in process to the arrangements at the Congress venue. Despite the scale of the event, there was an atmosphere of approachability and collegiality. I was able to meet and have meaningful conversations with some of my role models in the field, which was truly inspiring.
Winning the ISUOG Top Abstract Award has been a highlight of my career so far.
While I am only beginning to explore the opportunities it might unlock, I am confident it will have a significant impact on my future. This internationally acclaimed recognition is a valuable addition to my CV, and I look forward to leveraging it as I apply for fellowships in the near future.
For anyone considering submitting an abstract to ISUOG, I encourage you to go for it. The experience is as rewarding as it is educational, and it offers unparalleled opportunities to grow both personally and professionally.
