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At a time when scientific careers are more nonlinear than ever, a growing chorus of voices is urging scientists to rethink a familiar concept: mentorship. During the “Navigating Your Scientific Career: The Power of Transforming Network into Mentoring” session at the 2026 SOT Annual Meeting and ToxExpo, scientists across career stages gathered to explore how networking can be transformed into meaningful, enduring mentoring relationships.

For many, mentorship begins early. For me, it started as a first-year undergraduate researcher where I was guided by Jacqueline Sinclair of Dartmouth Medical School. She helped shape not only my scientific skills but my confidence and direction. But as careers progress, finding that same level of guidance becomes less straightforward and the needs of the mentee change.

This session tackled this challenge head-on, introducing the concept of “mosaic mentoring,” a model that encourages scientists to build a diverse circle of mentors rather than relying on a single guiding figure. The idea is simple but powerful: no single mentor can meet every need. Instead, researchers should cultivate a network of advisors, each offering expertise tailored to specific career stages, goals, or challenges.

“Mentoring is an enduring, mutual relationship,” explained one speaker, distinguishing it from networking, which is often defined by brief exchanges of information or opportunity. The shift, then, lies in deepening those initial connections by turning a conversation at a conference into a sustained, purposeful dialogue.

Organizations like SOT are actively working to support this transition. Through initiatives such as mentor-matching programs, mentorship lounges at the Annual Meeting, and a growing library of online resources, SOT aims to make mentorship more accessible and intentional. These efforts are led in part by the SOT Career Advancement, Mentoring, and Networking (CAMAN) Committee, which emphasizes structured support for scientists at all stages.

Speakers highlighted practical strategies for building strong mentoring relationships: setting clear goals, establishing regular communication, and fostering mutual respect and growth. Just as importantly, they encouraged attendees to be proactive by seeking out mentors intentionally and remaining open to evolving those relationships over time.

“Your mentoring circle should be as dynamic as your career,” one presenter noted. “It’s okay to adapt, to add new voices, and to let go of relationships that no longer serve your goals.”

The session also underscored that mentorship is not one-size-fits-all. Through breakout discussions organized by career stage, participants shared experiences and challenges unique to their positions. Notably, while early career tables were filled to capacity, the absence of participants at the late-career table hinted at an ongoing need to engage senior scientists in these conversations.

Innovative approaches to mentorship are already emerging. One regional initiative with the SOT Northeast Regional Chapter, launched in 2021, has created structured opportunities for scientists to connect through surveys and facilitated interactions. The program emphasizes “warm interactions in chilly spaces,” a nod to the geographic region for which this professional networking is occurring. Early outcomes suggest these efforts are making a tangible impact on participants’ career trajectories.

Ultimately, the session reframed mentorship not as a static relationship but as both a “compass and a circle,” which can be a guiding force and a supportive community. In an era where scientific paths are increasingly complex, that combination may be more essential than ever.

This blog reports on the Education-Career Development Session titled “Navigating Your Scientific Career: The Power of Transforming Network into Mentoring” that was held during the 2026 SOT Annual Meeting and ToxExpo. An on-demand recording of this session is available for meeting registrants on the SOT Online Planner and SOT Event App.

This blog was prepared by an SOT Reporter and represents the views of the author. SOT Reporters are SOT members who volunteer to write about sessions and events in which they participate during the SOT Annual Meeting and ToxExpo. SOT does not propose or endorse any position by posting this article. If you are interested in participating in the SOT Reporter program in the future, please email SOT Headquarters.