EURETINA Mentorship Program Marks Five Years with Launch of Global Alumni Network and 2026 Vienna Symposium
Supported by Roche, the EURETINA Mentorship Programme has officially reached a major five-year milestone, transitioning from a 12-month career development initiative into a lifelong global community of retinal leaders. Originally launched in 2021 to connect rising stars in clinical and surgical retina with world-renowned mentors, the program is expanding its reach with the official launch of the EURETINA Mentorship Alumni Network.
Speaking on the Talking EURETINA podcast, past mentees reflected on how the initiative transformed their academic careers, surgical practice, and international networks. From Single Projects to High-Impact Publications For Dr. Omer Trivizki (Tel Aviv Medical Center, Israel), who was paired with Prof. Caroline Klaver (Netherlands), the mentorship extended far beyond standard career advice. Their collaboration expanded into a three-way international research effort across the United States, the Netherlands, and Israel, culminating in a major paper published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (IOVS). “At the beginning, it was just a dream, but under the flag of the program, we were able to run a great project together,” noted Dr. Trivizki. “The big thing about it is that you get to know a lot of people who are moving forward together. That’s why we are working to build this Alumni Group—to make this networking even more meaningful.”
Surgical Mastery and Lasting Leadership For Dr. Karolina Motloch (University Hospital Erlangen, Germany), the program provided direct surgical and academic mentorship under the late Prof. Ramin Tadayoni in Paris. “You learn from the best, which forces you to develop your confidence,” Dr. Motloch shared. “I was able to assist him in the operating theatre, share challenging cases, and observe his leadership firsthand. It gives you the feeling that your career isn’t something you do alone, but something you build with a community.”
A Turning Point for Early-Career Researchers Selected as part of the inaugural 2021 cohort during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Özge Yanık Odabaş (Ankara University, Turkey) collaborated virtually with Prof. Martin Zinkernagel before completing a three-month clinical observership in Bern. “It was probably one of the main turning points of my academic career,” Dr. Odabaş explained. “It provides guidance, inspiration, and self-confidence. With the creation of the Alumni group, the program has gone far beyond a 12-month period—it has become a lasting community supporting each other and growing together.”
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Alumni Symposium in Vienna In collaboration with EURETINA leadership, the Alumni Network is developing new infrastructure for past and present mentees, including:
- Dedicated 2026 Alumni Symposium: Scheduled for the 26th EURETINA Congress in Vienna to highlight alumni research and clinical progress.
- Global Alumni Directory: A specialized directory enabling members to connect based on subspecialty research interests and surgical focus.
- Collaborative Grants: Dedicated funding pathways to support ongoing multi-center alumni research projects.
Advice for Future Applicants Applications are currently open for the upcoming cohort. All three alumni offered unanimous advice for young specialists considering applying:
- Do Not Hesitate: Apply regardless of your institution’s size or background—the program exists specifically to help you grow.
- Define Goals Early: Be proactive and communicate your specific surgical, research, or career development goals with your mentor from day one.
- Be Proactive: Bring challenging cases, ask questions, and actively shape the relationship.
Learn more about the mentorship programme HERE
