Polonium Foundation

As we celebrate the Nobel Prize laureates of 2024, we’re reminded that behind every great achievement lies a story of mentorship. This year’s laureates not only shine for their groundbreaking discoveries but also for the profound influence of those who guided them along the way, and the mentorship they now extend to others ✨ Victor Ambros, the 2024 Nobel Prize laureate in Physiology or Medicine, reminisced about his mentor, Edward Gruberg, saying, “Gruberg was a fantastic mentor and really got me alerted to the fact that you can find out new things doing sort of routine experiments… he also taught me how to read the literature, so I could be aware of what’s known and what’s not known.” Dr. Mello, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, credited Victor’s mentorship as life-changing: “Victor’s a tremendous mentor. Without his help, I don’t think I’d be here.” In the world of Physics ⚛ , this year’s Nobel laureate John Hopfield is renowned not only for his scientific breakthroughs but also for his role as an inspiring mentor. “His students at Caltech went on to illustrious careers of their own.“, “Thus, besides his fundamental research, he was an inspirational teacher and a great mentor.“. The importance of mentorship has been echoed across generations of laureates. Dr. Robert Lefkowitz, who mentored over 200 students and shared the Nobel Prize with one of them, said it best: “I believe that one of the most important contributors to future success is not where one went to school or trained, but rather who one’s mentors were.” ❗ He further emphasized, “The truly important determinants of success in most activities are very subtle and can’t be learned from books and classes. Instead, they need to be acquired experientially by working with a mentor whose values and approaches one gradually internalizes.” ❗ These words remind us that the Nobel Prize announcements are not just celebrations of scientific breakthroughs; they are also celebrations of mentorship—the unseen force that helps people reach their full potential. As we honor this year’s laureates, let’s also celebrate the mentors behind them and reflect on the mentors who have shaped our own lives ✨ ✨ We recommend you to visit the Nobel Prize website to read more about mentorship—a lasting gift that keeps on giving https://lnkd.in/gsFV5AAu Sources: 1. Nobel Prize interview with Victor Ambros: https://lnkd.in/gk3ZUWtb 2. Caltech’s announcement on John Hopfield’s Nobel Prize: “Caltech Professor Emeritus John Hopfield Wins Nobel Prize in Physics.”https://lnkd.in/gFzZMriB 3. Ruth Gotian, “A Nobel Prize Winner’s Best Mentoring Advice.” Forbes, October 26, 2021. https://lnkd.in/giBpbcvh #NobelPrize2024 #MentorshipMatters #CelebratingMentorship #ScientificExcellence

A week ago, we had the great pleasure of hosting you in Paris on an SPP MeetUP “Beyond Tomorrow: Science, Sustainability, and Societal Shifts”. Today, we are expressing our gratitude to the organizations and associations which serve as our community partners during this and many other events: Akademia Młodych Uczonych Polska Akademia Nauk, Czexpats In Science, ML in PL, ASPOL - Association des Étudiants Polonais en France, BioForum, pro science, Innovative Poland Foundation, Warsaw Society of Biotechnology “Symbioza”, and CONNECTS-UK. Thank you! We are proud to be part of such a community!

🌟 Application Update 🌟 Dear Polonium Mentoring applicants, we are currently reviewing your applications and running the matching process. Don’t panic—we’ve got your applications secured and we’ll be letting you know who your mentor/mentee is as soon as we can. The process should take about a week for our team to finalize. 🗓 Thank you so much for your patience. We’re super excited to meet you all and welcome you into the program! Stay tuned! #PoloniumMentoring #MentorshipMatters

Do not miss your chance to attend the first Open Forum organised by CONNECTS-UK at the University of Edinburgh! The Polonium Foundation is delighted to invite you to a CONNECTS-UK event on the 18th of October 2024. The event will centre around the theme of "Democratic Backsliding", discussing pressing topics such as misinformation, the global influence of social media, and trust in science. The forum is an amazing opportunity to engage in discussion with other EU researchers working in the UK. The panels will also include many talks by esteemed speakers such as: Zsolt Boda (Director General of the HUN-REN Centre for Social Sciences, Hungary), Joerg Friedrichs (University of Oxford), Mette Wingen (University of Leeds), and many more. THE REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! (follow the link in our bio) We cannot wait to see you in Edinburgh!

Polonium Foundation is proud to be a part of CONNECTS-UK and represent research and innovation diaspora at The Royal Society. Thank you Agata Nyga, anna fumarola and James Musisi for the joint efforts in Science Diplomacy 🇪🇺🇬🇧🌍 #KeepCalmAndCurieOn

🌟 What an incredible time at SPP MeetUP Paris 2024! From inspiring talks to meaningful networking, we united passionate innovators and changemakers. Together, we're shaping the future of the Polonium community. Thank you to everyone who made this event unforgettable! Let’s keep the momentum going! #poloniummentoring #poloniumfoundation #KeepCalmAndCurieOn #polishacademyofsciences #Paris2024 #sppmeetup

Paris is buzzing with fashion events right now—from Paris Fashion Week 2024 to insightful academic gatherings. I had the immense pleasure of being part of #SPPMeetUp Paris, organized by Polonium Foundation and Polska Akademia Nauk Stacja Naukowa w Paryżu, where I presented on the implementation of sustainable development principles in the fashion industry. It was a thrilling opportunity to dive into the intersection of fashion and sustainability, in a city that truly sets the stage for both creativity and innovation.

W Polonium Foundation z niepokojem obserwujemy kontrowersyjne zmiany w kierownictwie IDEAS NCBR, które zniechęcają wybitnych badaczy do rozwijania kariery w Polsce i ograniczają międzynarodowe partnerstwa. Zachęcamy nie tylko naukowców do zapoznania się z poniższym materiałem – wiele wymienionych w reportażu nazwisk to przedstawiciele polskiej diaspory naukowej, w tym prelegenci z wydarzeń SPP, którzy stanowią bezcenny kapitał społeczny dla kraju. Straty ekspertów na taką skalę wpłyną nie tylko na naukę, ale także na ekonomię i innowacyjny postęp Polski na lata. Jako apolityczna organizacja pozarządowa apelujemy do Ministry of Science and Higher Education i Kancelaria Prezesa Rady Ministrów o wyjaśnienie tej sprawy. https://lnkd.in/eSD9FfN5

🇫🇷 Today is the day of the SPP MeetUP 2024 in Paris! 🇫🇷 Today at our event, SPP MeetUP Paris 2024, hosted in the beautiful Polish Academy of Sciences Scientific Center in Paris, we had the incredible opportunity to connect with thought leaders and innovators in the field. The discussions around sustainability, collaborative projects, and the future of social impact were truly eye-opening. Key takeaways included: - The importance of interdisciplinary approaches to tackle global challenges. - Innovative solutions that are being implemented to drive change in our communities. - The power of collaboration among diverse stakeholders to achieve shared goals. A heartfelt thank you to all our speakers, participants, and partners for their invaluable contributions. Your insights will undoubtedly shape our ongoing efforts to create positive change. Let’s keep the momentum going and continue to work together towards a brighter future! #SPPMeetUP2024 #PoloniumFoundation #Sustainability #SocialImpact #Networking #PolishAcademyofSciences #KeepCalmAndCurrieOn

You're never too old to become a mentee! 🌱 No matter how experienced or accomplished you are, there's always room to grow. In fact, mentoring as a seasoned professional can unlock new perspectives and skills, help you stay ahead in a fast-evolving world, and even reignite your passion for what you do. What’s even more exciting? Not all mentors have to be decades more experienced. Peer mentoring, where your mentor is closer to your level or background, brings fresh ideas, contemporary insights, and a chance to build a supportive, growth-oriented network. It’s about exchanging knowledge, challenging assumptions, and mutual growth. 📈 Being open to mentorship at any stage is a superpower💡  What new horizons could you explore as a mentee? ✨ Register to become a mentee and commit to the life-long learning: https://lnkd.in/dvypy8mJ #LifelongLearning #MentorshipMatters #GrowthMindset #PeerMentoring Sources: Albert Einstein and Maria Skłodowska-Curie by the Lémac lake on 1925. (ARCHIVES PIERRE ET MARIE CURIE / AFP) https://lnkd.in/djYcdn6S