ECR activities

Penta provides an ideal environment where Early Career Researchers (ECRs) can fuel their curiosity, expand their expertise and make a meaningful impact in science. We champion ECRs by amplifying their voices in the global scientific community and nurturing the next generation of leaders in paediatric infectious diseases.

Explore all the activities for and by Penta ECRs, where innovation, collaboration and leadership thrive.

Penta Mentorship Programme
ECRs Café
ECRs Learning Hub

Mentorship Programme

The Penta Mentorship Programme (PMP) is a unique opportunity offered by Penta to its ECRs, to be mentored by experienced researchers from across our Network. Through this structured, 12-month, 1:1 partnership, mentees and mentors work together to define realistic career goals and tackle professional challenges. 

The application window for the 2026 edition is now closed. We thank all professionals across the Penta ID Network who applied as mentors or mentees.

View 2026 call for applications
Download PMP Guidelines

Penta ECRs Café 

The Penta ECRs Café is a friendly, informal space where Early Career Researchers can share updates on their work, exchange feedback and connect with peers. Each Café also includes career development sessions, where ECRs gain guidance from senior Penta Network members and invited experts to support their professional growth.

Who can attend? All Early Career Researchers within the Penta ID Network are welcome to join, even if they are not part of the ECRs Working Group.

How often? The Penta ECRs Café takes place every two months, offering regular opportunities to learn, network and collaborate.

Ready to attend? Sign up here for the next Penta ECRs Cafè, From Idea to Proposal: Lessons from Developing a COST Action Application

What to share feedback? Let us know your thoughts on the 2025-2026 Penta Cafe sessions and suggestions for improvement in this short annual survey. Whether its a change in format, topics not explored or activities to be considered, tell us all about it so we can make future Cafe sessions more interesting and meaningful to you. Access the survey here

Have in interesting idea or topic for the next Penta Cafe? Any Penta ECR interested in proposing ideas for future Penta ECR Cafe sessions are welcome to do so by sending an expression of interest. Proposals could include:

  • presenting your research idea or an ongoing project;
  • discussing work in progress and receiving informal feedback;
  • practicing a conference presentation or thesis defence;
  • sharing lessons from a conference, fellowship or collaborative project;
  • leading a discussion on a career-development topic or another issue relevant to ECRs.

All ECRs are welcome to contribute, whether or not they are members of the ECR Working Group. If you would like to contribute to a future Café session, you can express your interest by sending your proposal to network@pentafoundation.org, using the subject line “Penta ECRs Café Proposal”.

When submitting a proposal, please include:

  • A proposed topic or discussion theme;
  • A short description of the issue, experience, or research you would like to share;
  • The name(s) of the proposed speaker(s) or facilitator(s);
  • Your preferred timing (if relevant).

Proposals are welcome throughout the year. The Penta ECRs Working Group will review the proposals and work with contributors to develop the selected ideas into engaging Café sessions.

Watch previous career development sessions

April 2026 – Stories, insights and takeaways from the Penta mentorship programme (Part 2)

With Ali Judd (University College London, UK) and Georgina Fernandes (University College London, UK).

February 2026 – Stories, insights and takeaways from the Penta mentorship programme

With Shaun Morris (The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada) and Manon Jaboyedoff (LUH / University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland).

November 2025 – Navigating global health careers

With Pauline Amuge (JCRC, Kampala, Uganda), and Vana Papaevangelou (University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece).

September 2025 – Building a research Consortium and finding new partners

With Julia Bielicki (City St George’s, University London, UK).

ECRs Learning Hub

The ECRs Learning Hub is an online space where Early Career Researchers design and deliver short lessons to share their knowledge with peers and strengthen their teaching skills, supported by senior Penta trainers. The ECRs Learning Hub aims to prepare the next generation of Penta trainers and act as a gateway to Penta’s wider training opportunities. 

Who can attend? All Early Career Researchers within the Penta Network are welcome to join, even if they are not part of the ECRs Working Group.

How often? ECRs Learning Hub lessons take place every two months.

The next Learning Hub lesson will take place on 17 September 2026 at 14:00-15:00 CEST.

  • Title: Internalized stigma, early motherhood, and psychosocial barriers to retention in care for adolescent moms
  • Trainer: Christina Laurenzi (Stellenbosch University, South Africa)
  • Supported by: Linda-Gail Bekker (Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, South Africa) and Caroline Foster (Imperial College London, UK)
Register here

Watch previous ECRs Learning Hub lessons

July 2026 – Congenital CMV: updates on prevention and treatment

Lesson prepared by: Elisabetta Venturini (Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy).

Supported by: Vana Papaevangelou (University of Athens School of Medicine, Greece) and Helen Payne (Imperial College London, London, UK).

April 2026 – Principles of pharmacovigilance in HIV treatment for children and adolescents

Lesson prepared by: Punnathorn Auaboonkanok (Khon Kaen University, Thailand).

Supported by: Alpha Diallo (INSERM, France) and Caroline Foster (Imperial College London, UK).

February 2026 – The re-emergence of measles: clinical and public health lessons for paediatric practice

Lesson prepared by: Sibel Laçinel Gürlevik (Gaziantep Hospital, Turkey).

Supported by: Elizabeth Whittaker and Caroline Foster (Imperial College London, London, UK).

December 2025 – Translating pharmacokinetic (PK) research into clinical practice

Lesson prepared by: Tom Jacobs and Lisanne Bevers (RUMCG, Nijmegen, the Netherlands).

Supported by: Adrie Bekker and Eric Decloedt (Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa).