What were your expectations for the Mentoring Program? 

I learned about ISSNAF thanks to one of its founders, Cavaliere Luigi Zappacosta. He introduced it to me and my fellow students at Collegio Lamaro Pozzani as a valuable opportunity to connect with accomplished Italian scientists working in the U.S. 

As a physics student, I was hoping to find a good mentor who could help me choose a research field for my future, but in the end, I found much more. 

How did this experience impact you? 

The ISSNAF mentoring program has been crucial for me. First, I met a kind and trustworthy mentor, Alessandro Ratti, who helped me envision the person I could become. He also introduced me to an incredible network of scientists in the U.S., which led me to an exciting and meaningful thesis project at SLAC National Laboratory, working within the research group of Stanford Professor Agostino Marinelli. While I was in California, I also had the chance to visit Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and to attend a welcoming ISSNAF meeting in San Francisco. 

Why would you recommend the ISSNAF Mentoring Program? 

I would recommend that any STEM student join the ISSNAF Mentorship Program, as it offers the opportunity to connect with inspiring individuals who are eager to share their experience and knowledge. A mentor can be incredibly helpful by offering valuable advice and guiding you toward the best path to advance your research career, including opportunities abroad.