What were your expectations for the Mentoring Program?

I joined the ISSNAF Mentoring Program hoping to better understand how an international academic and research career can be built, particularly within the North American ecosystem. As a medical student with a strong interest in oncology, translational research, and innovation in medicine, I was looking for guidance from someone who could help me better define my path and understand how to turn my scientific interests into concrete opportunities.

How did this experience impact you?

Being mentored by Prof. Giada Bianchi gave me the opportunity to discuss my goals with someone who has direct experience of the North American academic and research environment. Our conversations helped me look at my professional path more critically, identify areas in which I could grow, and approach future opportunities with greater awareness and a more structured perspective. Most importantly, the mentorship helped me understand the value of building meaningful bridges between different academic systems and research communities.

Why would you recommend the ISSNAF Mentoring Program?

I would recommend the ISSNAF Mentoring Program because it offers something that is particularly valuable at an early stage of a career: direct and personalized guidance from someone who has already navigated many of the challenges you are trying to understand and tackle. Beyond career advice, it creates a genuine connection between young researchers and well-renowned scientists and can help transform broad ambitions into clearer and more concrete professional goals, a vision!