New governance, ECRIN Assembly of Members

February 16, 2026, marks the first ECRIN-ERIC Assembly of Members (AoM) meeting chaired by someone other than Rafael De Andrés Medina.

Firstly, welcome Oonagh Ward, Health Research Board (HRB) Ireland, the new ECRIN AoM Chair (previously vice-chair) and Deborah Studer, Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI, the new AoM vice-chair.

It is a great honour to serve as Vice-Chair of the AoM in the coming years alongside a highly knowledgeable and constructive Chair. I look forward to working closely together to help shape ECRIN’s future and to further advance our shared mission.

A heartfelt thank you to Rafael for his outstanding contribution to ECRIN -your dedication and impact are truly appreciated. 
- Deborah Studer

Rafael has been a strong advocate for ECRIN, even before the obtention of the ERIC Status, as one of the key players supporting this request prior to its obtention in 2013. He has been at the helm of the ship now for 12 years and has seen the growing impact that ECRIN has had on the clinical research landscape, which is evolving at an increasing rate.

ECRIN is thankful for Rafael’s guidance at the head of our governing body, the AoM. Over the years, he has contributed to the development of the ECRIN Statutes, the growth of the organisation, its strategic development and financial oversight.

We also look forward to the next steps that the new leadership will bring!