Mentoring Philosophy

Core Philosophy

My goal as your mentor is to help you become the type of scientist you want to be, whether it is in industry or academics, basic, translational or clinical, whether you stay in hematology or take the skills you've learned to another discipline. My PhD was in virology, for example; now I study sickle cell disease. While my focus is to guide you in performing independent research, I seek to contribute to the development of the whole person.

Personalized Development

To do that, I need to understand your current intellectual and professional state as well as your future plans. Each person I mentor is different, and may have different goals, but I will help you develop certain universal skills:

  • How to ask a compelling scientific question
  • How to design experiments to answer it
  • How to interpret and present your findings

Lab Mission

I will work tirelessly for the good of the lab. The success of every member of our group is my top priority. As part of my job as PI, I am expected to write grants and initiate research that will make meaningful contributions to science, the academic community, and to society.

You should expect to have other mentors with other strengths, and know I support activities that broaden your personal and professional development. I'm happy to help you network and identify other mentors.

My Commitments to You

Advocacy & Support

I will be your advocate. If you have a problem or challenge, come and see me. I will do my best to listen and identify a path that will assist in resolving or moving forward.

Professional Development

I will facilitate your training in complementary skills needed to be a successful scientist. These include oral and written communication skills, grant writing experience, compliance with all grant and publication guidelines, scientific policy, and professionalism.

Career Growth

I will encourage you to apply for awards, fellowships, and similar opportunities. If you commit to applying for an award or fellowship, I will work with you to ensure that your application is competitive.

Written Feedback

I will provide you with feedback on your written work. Preparing scientific presentations, publications, and abstracts across groups and formats is a learned skill that requires writing and re-writing.

Conference Support

I will encourage you to attend scientific/professional meetings and will try to fund such activities. You should expect to attend at least one major conference per year when you have material to present.

Mentoring Style

I will strive to be supportive, equitable, accessible, encouraging, and respectful. I am human and can be impatient, short-tempered, sleep-deprived, and forgetful, but I will always seek to be kind and respectful to you in our interactions.

What I Expect From You

01Research Excellence

Plan, design, and conduct high quality scientific research

02Documentation

Present and document your scientific findings

03Stay Current

Stay current with the literature and scientific communication

04Ethics

Be honest, ethical, and enthusiastic

05Engagement

Engage with the research group and campus programs

06Respect

Respect lab mates, collaborators, and resources

07Development

Take advantage of professional development opportunities

08Dedication

Work hard - don't give up!

Detailed Expectations

Communication

Update me regularly on progress in your activities and experiments. Make sure that you communicate new ideas about your work and any challenges. If something is timely or urgent, you should contact me via text, email, or phone call at any time.

Publications

Contribute to scientific writing and publications. The lab's success, funding, and reputation depend on peer-reviewed publications. Your contributions can stretch beyond journal publications to enhance your impact as an investigator.

Lab Citizenship

Strive to be the very best lab citizen. Take part in shared laboratory responsibilities and use laboratory resources carefully. Maintain a safe and clean laboratory space where data and research resources are protected.

Collaboration

Be a good collaborator. Collaborate in and beyond our lab group. Collaborations demand effective and frequent communication, mutual respect, trust, and shared goals.

Long-term Commitment

I am committed to mentoring you, even after you leave my lab.

Ongoing Support

I am committed to your education and training while you are in my lab and to guiding your career development - to the degree you wish - long after you leave. I will introduce you to those I have historically mentored or continue to mentor, as they may also serve as strong mentors to you moving forward.

Lasting Relationship

After graduation or departing from the lab, I remain devoted to supporting the continued professional development of all my lab alumni. Like so many relationships forged during a dramatic period of development, the bond between advisor and student is typically a powerful one.

As you continue your career, your accomplishments honor me and enhance the network for all my trainees.