BSCR mentorship programme
BSCR supports its members, particularly postdoc researchers, with the opportunity to obtain mentoring support from more senior BSCR mentors for their career development. Through this programme, BSCR members have external career support to identify their strengths, issues, goals, and career opportunities. BSCR mentors will provide career advice and guidance that is trainee centred.
Information for Mentees
Information for Mentors
Professor Tim Warner
Queen Mary University of London
- Platelets and vascular biology
mentor overview
I am an academic and group leader at the Queen Mary University of London for 30 years with interests in platelets and vascular biology. I am Dean for Postgraduate Research and Director Doctoral College and experienced in supervising and mentoring PhD students, postdocs and academic clinical trainees.
Professor Sanjay Sinha
University of Cambridge
- Vascular development and vascular diseases
- Development, regeneration and disease modelling
mentor overview
I am a clinical academic and group leader at the University of Cambridge for 16 years with interests in regenerative medicine. I am an honorary Consultant in Cardiology and experienced in supervising and mentoring PhD students, postdocs and academic clinical trainees.
Dr Jovana Serbanovic-Canic
University of Sheffield
- Endothelial mechanobiology
mentor overview
I am a BHF Intermediate Research Fellow and group leader at the University of Sheffield with research interest in endothelial mechanobiology. I am Interested in integration of animal models for studying endothelial responses to flow (zebrafish, mice) with –omics technologies to understand the role of mechanical forces in vascular health and disease. I am an experienced supervisor enthusiastic about supporting early career researchers’ development.
Dr Natalie North (Nee Haywood)
University of Leeds
- Obesity
- Diabetes and cardiovascular disease
- Endothelial biology
mentor overview
I am a BHF/Mautner Career Development Fellow at the University of Leeds with 10+ years interest in endothelial biology research, in the setting of obesity and diabetes, using murine and cellular models. I was awarded FHEA for contributions to undergrad teaching in 2020. I am available to mentor PhD students and early career postdocs.
Dr Xuan Li
University of Cambridge
- Cardiovascular medicine
- Inflammation
- Microtubule cell biology
mentor overview
I am a research group leader and BHF Senior Basic Science Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge. I have interests in cardiovascular medicine, inflammation and microtubule cell biology. I am experienced in supervising and mentoring PhD students and postdocs.
Professor Thomas Iskratsch
Queen Mary University of London
- Mechanobiology
- Bioengineering
mentor overview
I am a group leader at Queen Mary University of London since 2017 with interests mechanobiology and bioengineering. Previously I was a BHF Intermediate Research Fellow. I am experienced in supervising and mentoring PhD students and postdocs.
Dr Brian Halliday
Imperial College London
- Cardiomyopathy
- Precision diagnosis and therapy
- Cardiovascular magnetic resonance
- Clicnical trials
mentor overview
Clinical academic and principal investigator at Imperial College and Royal Brompton Hospital. Interested in cardiomyopathy, clinical trials, precision diagnosis and treatment and disease prevention.
Professor Carolyn Carr
University of Oxford
- Metabolism
- Regenerative medicine
mentor overview
I am an Associate Professor at the University of Oxford with20 years’ experience in cardiac imaging, metabolism and regenerative medicine.I have worked in industry and for a University spin-out and had an 11 yearcareer break. I am experienced in supervising and mentoring PhD students andpostdocs.
Dr Dunja Aksentijevic
Queen Mary University of London
- Cardiac metabolism
mentor overview
I am a Reader in Cardiovascular Physiology and Metabolism, Wellcome Trust Fellow and principal investigator at the Queen Mary University of London for 6 years with interests in cardiac metabolism. I serve as Director of Education William Harvey Research Institute, Programme lead for 3 postgraduate programmes (MSc Clinical Drug development, MSc Healthcare Research Methods, MRes Clinical Research), Athena Swan Academic lead Barts Faculty of Medicine, Barts Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Faculty EDI deputy lead. I am Experienced in supervising and mentoring students in the UK and abroad, postdocs and academic clinical trainees.
Professor Katrina Bicknell
University of Reading
- Cardiovascular medicine
- Regenerative medicine
mentor overview
An academic leader at the University of Reading for 16 years with interests in cardiovascular and regenerative medicine. I am the current head of the Reading School of Pharmacy and am experienced in supervising and mentoring Masters and PhD students, postdocs and academic clinical researchers.
How to apply
Decide what you would like to gain from the mentorship scheme and choose a mentor. So we can pair you with an appropriate mentor you, please provide the following information when you apply:
1) State which mentor you would like to pair with
2) Confirm you are a BSCR member
3) State the current stage of your postdoc career (1-3 year postdoc; 4-6 year postdoc; more than 6-year postdoc)
4) Outline what advice are you seeking as a BSCR mentee
5) State - ideally - how often would you like to meet your BSCR mentor
When you are ready, click "apply" below or email Dr Xuan Li (xl315@cam.ac.uk) to apply
FAQ
Yes. To do so, contact the BSCR mentorship coordinator.
No, but you do need to be a BSCR member.
We'll do our best to pair you with your chosen mentor but can't guarantee it. In the eventuality we cannot, we'll ask you to select an alternative mentor.
Through regular online meetings. You can discuss the frequency and other requirements during your first meeting.
In principle, yes. But this will be your mentor’s discretion. The BSCR cannot cover the cost associated with any physical visits.
Typically 2 years but subject to discussion and negotiation with individual mentors