ERA Female Leadership Virtual Mentorship Programme

I’m a nephrologist and clinical trialist at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, where I lead a newly founded Clinical Trials Program for Glomerular Diseases. I coordinate national and international trials, including as Germany’s lead for a €1M+ DFG-funded pragmatic study and as global coordinating investigator of a Phase III trial.

I hold an MSc in Clinical Trials from Oxford. I focus on pragmatic trials and real-world collaborations that drive outcome improvements through better evidence, system design, and stakeholder alignment. I’m happy to support mentees navigating leadership transitions, managing teams, or translating vision into action—and to share what I’ve learned (and am still learning!) along the way.

I am a consultant nephrologist with more than 10 years of clinical and research experience. I have trained and worked at leading national and international centres, including Lund University, where I completed a Long-Term Fellowship supported by the European Renal Association (ERA). I have maintained a close affiliation with the ERA ever since, including through my service as a board member of YNP.

Supported by an ERA grant, I recently completed the Oxford Healthcare Leadership Programme. This transformative experience significantly bolstered my self-confidence and deepened my appreciation of the pivotal role that effective leadership plays in advancing organizations and, ultimately, enhancing patient care.

As a mentor in the Female Leadership Mentorship Programme, I aim to support female nephrologists in their academic development and research careers, particularly those interested in international collaboration and leadership growth. Drawing on my own experiences and the challenges I have faced, I hope to help mentees navigate their professional journeys with clarity and confidence, recognizing that the path for female nephrologists can sometimes be complex.

I am a professor of epidemiology with 20+ years’ experience in epidemiology, research methodology, statistical analysis, and research ethics, focused on kidney disease and NCDs. I have contributed to ERA initiatives, including registry-based research and guideline development, and supported WHO projects on disease burden and evidence-based policy. I have led multinational studies, supervised and mentored postgraduate researchers, and aim to share skills in study design, data analysis, ethical research conduct, and critical appraisal to support mentees in advancing their careers in nephrology research.

With 25 years of experience as a nephrologist, and 10 years in leadership roles at University Hospital in Bologna, I bring extensive expertise managing Nephrology Ward and Glomerulonephritis Clinic. My clinical training took place at various hospitals in Italy and abroad, including a fellowship at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge. I strongly believe in synergy between clinical practice and research, and I am currently expanding my medical knowledge by pursuing a master’s degree in Acupuncture. As a graduate at WTLP at University of Oxford, I would like to transfer to future generations not only technical skills, but also soft skills such as problem solving, conflict management, and staff motivation. Inspired by my passion for yoga, good cuisine and travel, my goal is to help mentees overcome structural limitations with imagination and resilience, promoting a healthy work-life balance.

I am a Professor of Nephrology at Nantes University Hospital (France) and a clinician-scientist with expertise in tubulopathies, phosphocalcic disorders (particularly hypoparathyroidism) and kidney stone disease. I lead the regional reference centre for rare phosphocalcic diseases and am an active member of the ERA Genes & Kidney Working Group. As a mentor, I aim to support mentees in building a coherent and fulfilling academic trajectory, with particular attention to work–life balance and personal sustainability. I also seek to help early-career colleagues gain confidence in their skills, leadership potential, and professional choices. I strongly value collaboration and human connections, which I believe make academic work both richer and more enjoyable.

I am a 45-year-old mother of two, whose life and career have been shaped by a profound passion for medicine, literature, communication, and the arts.

Beyond clinical practice, I am an advocate for the medical humanities. As a member of communication teams for both the Italian Society of Nephrology (SIN) and the European Renal Association (ERA), I have created the “Women in Nephrology” interview series for SIN and authored educational books and videos to promote dialogue and understanding within the field.

Teaching and mentoring are also central to my professional life, providing guidance to students and residents.

As a mentor, I am passionate about fostering problem-solving abilities and helping others achieve a healthy work/life balance. I encourage my mentees to discover their purpose and build meaningful professional networks. My approach to communication is enriched by narrative medicine tools, empowering others to express themselves clearly and empathetically. Additionally, I offer guidance on writing scientific papers and creating impactful content for social media, drawing on my own experience in authorship and public engagement.

I am an academic clinician and associate professor of nephrology with over 20 years of experience spanning patient care, research, education, and leadership. I currently serve as Vice Head of a nephrology department at the Medical University of Bialystok, combining strategic and organizational responsibilities with hands-on clinical work. My professional background includes internal medicine, nephrology, transplantation, and hypertension, supported by extensive international training and collaboration. I have led and participated in national and international research projects, supervised residents and fellows, and taught students at all stages of medical education. As a mentor, I offer practical guidance on building a sustainable academic career, balancing clinical and research roles, developing research ideas, and navigating leadership transitions. I particularly enjoy supporting others in strengthening confidence, communication, delegation, and authentic, values-based leadership grounded in clarity, empathy, and accountability.