The Mentor Leaders Program is one of In2science’s most valued initiatives, helping outstanding mentors develop their leadership skills while building meaningful connections with industry before they graduate. Since launching in 2021 with the support of Toyota Community Trust, the program has continued to grow. Each year, outstanding In2science mentors are matched with STEM professionals who generously volunteer their time, knowledge, and career insights. Throughout the year, mentor-professional pairs meet regularly to explore a wide range of topics, from navigating diverse career pathways and showcasing transferable skills to maintaining a healthy work-life balance. In 2026, 13 of our most exceptional volunteer university students were paired with professionals from a wide range of industries, including biomedicine, information technology, research, and science education. This year’s program was particularly memorable, with several mentors jumping at the opportunity to visit their professional’s workplace. We were also delighted to see three mentors share their experiences through blog posts. Be sure to check out the reflections from Sahiti, Damion and Jian to learn more about their journeys through the program. Several MLP professionals also contributed their expertise beyond by participating in our Career Speed-Networking Event and webinar series, helping to inspire even more students across the In2science community.Now that the program is wrapping up for 2026, we asked some of the STEM professionals to tell us what they enjoyed most about being a part of the MLP this year.
Tara Storey, STEAM Communicator from Science Gallery Melbourne, was paired with Heath, a Bachelor of Science student from RMIT University. Tara said, “In connecting with my mentee, who also comes from a regional upbringing like myself, I’ve found more confidence in mentoring and knowing how I can provide value to someone at the start of their career journey. Getting to share the breadth of roles out there, my experiences and learnings, and creating connections between my industry and mentee has been a really rewarding aspect of my year.”
Kira Hughes, Research Grants Officer at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, was matched with Anastasia, who is completing a PhD in forensic science at Deakin University. Kira took the chance to look back at her own journey, saying, “I’ve really enjoyed my time this year with my mentee. As she is currently in the early stages of her PhD, it reminded me of the struggles and roadblocks I encountered during my own studies which helped me reflect on ways to help guide her along. Self-reflection is one of the most important aspects of mentorship so this has not only allowed me to help my mentee but also improve my own mindset for future pairings.”
Rhiannon Grant, a post-doctoral researcher at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, was paired with Damion, a Bachelor of Biological Sciences student at La Trobe University. Rhiannon said, “I really enjoyed being part of the program. It was rewarding to support Damion as he navigated his first research project and a new lab environment and to provide an opportunity to discuss challenges. It was also great to share my own experiences and seeing the fresh passion for science he brought to the lab.”
Iasmin Inocencio, a PhD candidate from the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, was matched with Mackenzie, who is studying a Bachelor of Science at The University of Melbourne. Iasmin enjoyed learning from her mentee, saying, “Learning about the current student perspective on post-graduate life was insightful. I’m so grateful for my lively, goal-driven mentee who consistently took the initiative to organise our meetings and reach out for career advice. She is a wonderful person, and I have no doubt she has an incredibly bright future ahead.”
We can’t wait to continue connecting mentors with industry when the MLP starts up again in early 2027. If you are keen to be a part of this fantastic program, reach out to us today!
