The ECR Mentoring Sessions provide a space for mentors and mentees to come together and openly discuss relevant topics about navigating an early career.
These sessions highlighted the importance of opening a dialogue about the many factors that influence our careers. Thank you to all the speakers listed below for their honest advice and to the many early career researchers who attended and took the opportunity to ask questions!
Mental Health: Building resilience to manage work and job search stress
Chairs:
- Ireshyn Govender (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, South Africa, ZA)
- Martha Ingola (Bayer AG, Preclinical Development, Germany, DE)
Speakers:
- Jennifer Geddes-McAlister (University of Guelph)
- Stuart Cordwell (The University of Sydney)
- Adriana Franco Paes Leme (Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory)
The mental health mentoring session at HUPO 2024 shed light on the importance of managing one’s mental health throughout their scientific journey. Presentations showed an intimate look into the personal experiences of the three speakers which were well received by everyone, including senior researchers and ECRs.
The speakers all shared valuable tips for maintaining a positive outlook especially in the light of rejection which is a common occurrence in the scientific world. Listening to their experiences brought a sense of comfort knowing that rejection happens to everyone and it is not personal.
Finally, the panel discussion afforded attendees an opportunity to directly engage with the panelists. A wide array of questions were posed from participants at different career stages.
This led to fruitful discussions where the panelists and other attendees shared their thoughts and advice.
Mastering mentorship: Navigating conflicts and personalities
Chairs:
- Livia Rosa-Fernandes (Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Sydney / AU)
- Daniel Garama (Monash University, Melbourne / AU)
Speakers:
- Dr. Blandine Chazarin (Postdoctoral Scientist at PRISM laboratory, France)
- Dr. Chiara Francavilla, (Associate Professor at DTU Bioengineering, and an honorary Senior Research Fellow, University of Manchester)
- Dr. Parag Mallick (Associate Professor at Stanford University and Chief Scientist at Nautilus Biotechnology, a next-generation proteomics company)
The mentoring session "Mastering Mentorship: Navigating Conflicts and Personalities," was a captivating convergence of professionals from diverse geographical regions and various career stages in both industry and academia.
The session provided a platform for speakers to share their career paths and the significant impact of conflict situations on their professional growth.
Attendees gained insights into the characteristics of challenging personalities and acquired strategies to manage, mitigate, and resolve conflicts effectively. A common thread among the concerns shared by attendees was the profound effect of difficult situations on career progression and mental health, including the potential loss of employment or projects, and the pervasive influence of a toxic work environment on the overall group dynamics.
The diverse backgrounds of the speakers contributed to a nuanced discussion about the attendees' worries, which included navigating jealousy and favoritism, as well as other detrimental dynamics that can be often found well-established in research groups.
Moreover, the session delved into the essential qualities of effective leadership and set expectations for the mentor-mentee relationship. The speakers maintained a positive outlook on conflict resolution, advocating for the expression of concerns in a respectful and considerate manner as the initial step towards addressing challenging scenarios. They also emphasized the importance of being open to constructive criticism and recognizing one's role within the dynamics of the relationship.
Career Paths: What’s Next in Your Career?
Chairs:
- Jessica Del Castillo (Sanquin, Utrecht University, Amsterdam, NL)
- Christian Moritz (University Hospital CHU of Saint-Étienne, FR)
Speakers:
- Christoph Krisp (Application Development Specialist Proteomics at Bruker Daltonics, DE)
- Maurine Fucito (Application Specialist at Evosep, DK, and President of the Young Proteomics Investigators Club)
- Uli Ohmayer (Co-founder and Head of Mass Spectrometry at NEOsphere Biotechnologies, DE)
- John Yates (Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Proteome Research, and Professor at the Scripps Research Institute, US)
The Career Paths: What’s Next in Your Career? session kicked off HUPO 2024 with Early Career Researchers eager to hear firsthand insights from experienced professionals across academia and industry. Speakers shared valuable lessons from their own career journeys, discussing essential moments and strategies that helped shape their paths.
The speakers emphasized the importance of self-reflection to understand one's goals, the role of networking to build professional relationships, and the added value of international experience in today’s globalized scientific landscape.
During the lively panel discussion, attendees asked pressing questions, including practical advice for those who find networking challenging—particularly for introverts.
The session concluded with an interactive “standing table” format, where attendees gathered around their preferred speakers for small-group discussions. This allowed for deeper conversations and immediate networking training. The informal setting stimulated open dialogue and practical advice. A big thank you to all the speakers and attendees who contributed to making this mentoring session a source of inspiration and practical guidance!
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