19 Sep 2025: by Mariane Bertagnolli, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.

Attending ISH2024 in Cartagena was more than just participating in a scientific conference, it was an intense experience of meaningful engagement, collaboration, and personal mission. The event was especially busy for me, as I wore many hats: guest speaker, discussion leader, jury member for oral presentations, and awardee. Each role offered a unique perspective and deepened my connection to the global hypertension research community.

As a member of the ISH Mentorship and Training Committee (MTC) at that time, I also led a special initiative close to my heart. I developed a video series on global mentoring by interviewing early career ISH members from every continent. These short, insightful conversations were released on ISH’s YouTube channel, aiming to inspire and guide the society in building mentorship programs that reflect global needs and expectations. I was also proud to support the CBN team during the mentorship lunch events, which fostered direct dialogue between senior and junior researchers.

Beyond presenting my lab’s work, this conference allowed me to actively contribute to shaping the future of academic mentorship, an effort I consider central to my role in academia. Supporting the next generation of scientists and clinician-scientists in hypertension isn’t just important, it’s essential. Their innovation, curiosity, and resilience will define the breakthroughs of tomorrow.

ISH2024 reminded me that science thrives not only in data and discovery, but in building relationships and the guidance we offer. Cartagena was a vibrant stage for both.

Mariane Bertagnolli, McGill University, Montreal, Canada