For early-career researchers working across disciplines and countries, finding tailored guidance can be a challenge. In this blog, Sara Esteves shares how the EUPHAnxt Mentoring Programme offered her targeted support, fresh perspectives, and practical tools to strengthen her academic journey—with the help of her mentor, Ricardo Mexia.

Sara Esteves is a Research professional at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Italy
Ricardo Mexia is a Public Health Doctor at National Health Institute Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal

My experience as a mentee with the EUPHAnxt Mentoring Programme

I participated in the 2024/2025 edition of the EUPHAnxt Mentoring Programme, which offers early-career public health professionals the opportunity to engage in structured mentoring with experienced experts in the field. I was pleased to be matched with Dr. Ricardo Mexia, an expert in infectious diseases, and to take part in the mentoring journey together with another mentee in the infectious disease group.

I am a biomedical scientist with an MPH, and I currently work as a research assistant in a medical informatics project at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto. In this project, we contribute to research on the interoperability of healthcare data.

However, I have always been interested in infectious diseases, and I would like to pursue a career in this field. So, the mentoring exchange was particularly relevant and constructive. Working in a small group was a valuable experience, as the diversity of our backgrounds and countries enriched our discussions and gave me new perspectives.

Together with our mentor, we explored important topics for career development, including the pathway towards a PhD, identifying relevant conferences and training opportunities, and considering specialized courses to strengthen our expertise. Our conversations not only clarified potential next steps but also highlighted the importance of proactive planning in shaping a professional journey in public health.

A key insight I gained from this experience is that mentoring goes far beyond receiving advice. It provides a space for reflection, exchange, and encouragement, which in my case has been instrumental in shaping my ambition to pursue a PhD in the field of infectious diseases.

Overall, I consider this mentoring program a unique and valuable resource for early-career public health professionals. It broadens perspectives, fosters cross-country and cross-generational exchange, and inspires participants to think strategically about their future paths.