By Dr. Yashbir Singh
As I reflect on my personal experience with the Precision-BTC Scientific Mentorship Program 2024-2025, which is part of the COST Action Precision-BTC Network (CA22125), I am filled with gratitude for being selected as a candidate for this program. It has provided me with strong connections, and I have gained knowledge essential for my career development. This is a remarkable initiative I can only recommend for future mentees.
About My Journey
My name is Yashbir Singh, and I am currently specializing in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven research in the Department of Radiology at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USA. I had the privilege of being matched with Prof. Jesper B. Andersen at University of Copenhagen, Denmark, as my mentor in the Precision-BTC mentorship program. - What started as a professional pairing in a mentor-mentee setting has evolved into one of the most enriching experiences of my academic career.
An Exceptional Mentor
Jesper embodies everything you could hope for in a mentor. His dedication to his students/mentees is truly remarkable – he does not just guide from a distance but actively invests in your career growth and development. What struck me most about Jesper was his ability to create a comfortable environment where I felt safe to express my challenges and uncertainties.
One of the qualities I admire most about him is his honesty and collaborative approach. When faced with problems he was not immediately certain about, rather than pretending to have all the answers, he would work alongside me for us to find suitable solutions. This collaborative spirit not only helped me learn more effectively but also taught me the value of intellectual humility and teamwork in research.
I truly feel blessed to have had him as my mentor during this program.
Our Collaborative Work
Our time together in this program was filled with meaningful projects aimed at expanding my exposure in the cholangiocarcinoma community. These initiatives bridged the gap between complex medical concepts and accessible communication. One of our primary initiatives involved working on content for the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation blog (Spotlight on Dr. Yashbir (Yash) Singh, M.E., Ph.D. - Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation), where we focused on introducing the fundamentals of AI to the CCF community.
This project was particularly rewarding as it challenged us to distill complex AI concepts into digestible information for a diverse audience. Jesper’s guidance was invaluable in helping me understand how to communicate technical concepts clearly while maintaining scientific accuracy.
Beyond CCF AI-blog, we collaborated on several research articles, of which several are currently under review. While I cannot share the details just yet, I can say that working on these publications under Jesper’s mentorship has been an incredible learning experience that has significantly enhanced my research communication and writing skills.
The Impact of Quality Mentorship
This experience has reinforced my belief in the transformative power of quality mentorship. Dr. Andersen did not just share his knowledge; he helped me develop my own critical thinking skills, encouraged my curiosity, and supported my growth as both a researcher and a science communicator.
The Precision-BTC Scientific Mentorship Program has created a framework that truly works – connecting eager active learners with dedicated mentors who are committed to fostering the next generation of medical professionals and researchers.
Looking Forward
As this mentorship experience ends, I carry with me not just the knowledge and skills I have gained, but also the inspiration to pay it forward. Prof. Andersen has shown me what exceptional mentorship looks like, and I hope to embody these qualities as I continue to grow in my own career.
To anyone considering applying for the Precision-BTC Scientific Mentorship Program, I wholeheartedly encourage you to take that step. The opportunity to work with dedicated professionals like Prof. Andersen, and to be part of such a supportive network, is truly invaluable. My advice to the future mentee is to be pro-active and clear about what you want out of the participation in this program.
Gratitude
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the COST Action Precision-BTC Network (CA22125) for creating this opportunity. Most importantly, a thank you to Prof. Jesper B. Andersen for being an exceptional mentor, collaborator, and inspiration. This journey has been nothing short of amazing, and I am excited to see where the lessons learned, and connections made will take me in my future career.