Applications for the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences’s renowned and competitive Mentorship Program are now open. Meet some of our mentees and mentors to learn more about their experiences in the program.
Associate Professor Fernando Guimaraes leads the translational innate immunotherapy group at the Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland. He is mentored by the Academy’s founding president and renowned immunologist Professor Ian Frazer, co-inventor of the cervical cancer vaccine, Gardasil.
Associate Professor Guimaraes was selected for the mentorship program in 2023.
“I decided to participate as I see the enormous benefit of being mentored by a senior AAHMS member,” he said.
“I was incredibly fortunate to be paired with one of the Academy’s co-founders and a giant in the field of translational immunotherapy, Emeritus Professor Ian Frazer. It’s an absolute honour to be mentored by him, and our regular sessions throughout the year have been transformative for my career.
“All the advice I’ve received from Ian has been invaluable. His insights into navigating complex career decisions, fostering collaborations, and advancing translational research have been truly transformative for my professional growth.”
Professor Frazer said the experience had also been rewarding for him. He was inspired to take part in the program as a mentor after benefitting from mentorship earlier in his career.
“I was mentored by generous colleagues at a time when no formal mentoring was available, and realised after the event how important it was,” he said.“Seeing how well my mentee gets on has been my favourite part of the experience.”
The Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences Mentorship Program was created specifically to nurture rising health and medical leaders. The three-year program pairs mentees with senior Academy Fellows mentors to help them strategise career challenges, exchange ideas, and gain new perspectives.
Mentees become Associate Members of the Academy and are invited to contribute to our policy work and committees, as well as attending an annual mentorship workshop designed to hone specific skills. Applications for the program are accepted year-round, and reviewed each March.
Find more information on our mentorship page.
Pictured: Professor Frazer meeting with students in Associate Professor Guimaraes’ laboratory at TRI.