The Mentorship Committee at the Loke Centre for Trophoblast Research (Loke CTR) is here to support the professional development and wellbeing of our trainees. The Committee provides structured, independent mentorship, offering a confidential and supportive space to discuss career development, working environments, and future plans.
For Next Generation Fellows (NGFs), the Committee offers mentorship that sits outside the immediate research group and PI sponsorship. NGFs are invited to choose a named Loke CTR mentor from the current Mentorship Committee members listed below, ideally from a different department, who will act as an independent sounding board. Mentors are available to listen, provide advice, and help signpost additional sources of support or information. NGFs are encouraged to meet regularly with their mentor during their first year to support a smooth transition into the Centre, with further meetings later in the fellowship to discuss longer-term career development.
In addition, the Mentorship Committee meets with the NGF cohort twice a year, at the start of the academic year and again in the spring. These meetings provide an opportunity to check in as a group, share experiences, and discuss common themes relevant to fellowship progression and career development.
For Loke CTR-funded PhD students, the Committee recognises the strong supervisory and academic support already in place in Colleges and Departments. Mentorship is therefore provided in a cohort-based format, with the Mentorship Committee meeting with Loke CTR-funded PhD students as a group. These meetings offer a safe and open forum to share experiences, raise common issues, and discuss aspects of training and research culture. The Committee meets with the Loke CTR-funded PhD student cohort twice a year, at the start of the academic year and in the spring. Feedback from these discussions is shared with the CTR Director and Board of Managers, ensuring that trainee perspectives inform the ongoing development of the Centre.
Through these activities, the Mentorship Committee aims to foster a supportive and inclusive research environment, strengthen engagement across the Loke CTR community, and ensure that trainees feel heard, valued, and supported throughout their time at the Centre.
What to expect from mentorship
Mentorship at Loke CTR is intended to be supportive, informal, and trainee-led. While the exact focus will vary depending on individual needs and career stage, mentorship conversations may include:
• Discussing career aspirations, progression, and longer-term goals
• Advice on navigating working relationships, research culture, and the wider academic environment
• Support during key transitions (e.g. starting a fellowship, preparing for the next career step)
• Signposting to relevant training, wellbeing resources, or institutional support
• Providing a confidential space to reflect, ask questions, and explore options
Mentorship is not a replacement for academic supervision or line management, but an additional layer of independent support designed to complement existing structures.
The Loke CTR Mentorship Committee
- (Chair) Dr Miguel Constancia
- Professor Sue Ozanne
- Dr Naomi McGovern
- Dr Irving Aye
- Dr Claire Senner
- Dr Erin Slatery
- Clara Munger