Approximately 90 young women (students) who aim to study or continue their studies in the biomedical sciences and pursue a successful career in biomedical sciences, research, academia or entrepreneurship attended the event at the Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens (BRFAA). Opening remarks were delivered by Mr. Michalis Dritsas, Director of the Office of the Deputy Minister of Development and Investment Mr. Christos Dimas, Dr. Dimitris Thanos, Scientific Director of BRFAA and Ms. Roula Bachtalia, Director of enter-grow-go, Member of the Committee of the National Council for Research, Technology and Innovation.

The participants had the opportunity to gain inspiration through a series of talks and to interact with young as well as more experienced Greek women scientists distinguished for their scientific excellence, their dedication, their professionalism and their ethics in the field of biomedical sciences in Greece and abroad (Speed Mentoring). In parallel, they had the opportunity to participate in specially-designed scientific workshops and tours of the premises and laboratories of BRFAA, the largest biomedical “school” in the country.

The event closed with the presentation of the “Lifetime Mentorship Award” to Dr. Fotini Stylianopoulou, President of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Professor Emeritus of Biology, University of Athens, for her contribution and dedication to mentoring the younger generations of life scientists. Her magnificent work was presented by Dr. Panagiota Miltiadous, one of the 30 PhD students who had been supervised and mentored by Dr. Stylianopoulou. Finally, the Scholarship Certificates were awarded to  Athena Tzirkallis from Paphos, Cyprus and Marina Sourli from Rhodes.

This event offered the students the opportunity to meet and choose a mentor who will be responsible for guiding and advising them throughout their academic, professional and scientific quest.

Deree Professors Alexia Polissidis, Ph.D., Paraskevi Papadopoulou, Ph.D and Stella Apostolaki, Ph.D. were in the organizing committee, participated in the event and shared their knowledge and experience with the students (see program).