Mentoring
Scholars work in a small team of peer mentors from across the United States to engage and discuss real-life situations. Scholars will also hear from experienced mentors about their insights and advice on a range of topics.
Peer Mentoring Teams
Experienced Mentors
Researchers with experience leading labs, managing personnel, and navigating research careers offer their insights and lessons learned. Experienced mentors share and answer questions during informal conversations called “Fireside Chats” and offer tips in “What I Wish I Had Known” videos.
Sofiya Alhassan, PhD, FACSM
Professor, Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health & Health Sciences
Associate Dean of Office of Inclusion and Engagement, Graduate School
Associate Dean of Office of Inclusion and Engagement, Graduate School
University of Massachusetts Amherst
My research focuses on implementing community-based health-behavior interventions in young children and their families. My favorite thing about science is creating effective interventions and mentoring future scientists. As a person, I enjoy spending time with my twin boys.
Megan Baldridge, MD, PhD
Associate Professor
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
My research explores the interactions between the microbiota, viral pathogens, and the host immune response. I enjoy the fun of gradually unraveling complex scientific mysteries with my trainees and collaborators. Outside of the lab, I like to spend my time traveling and playing with my two young kiddos.
Joey Barnett, PhD
Professor, Pharmacology
Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
My research engages several facets of cardiovascular research with a focus on cardiovascular development. I enjoy the challenges, both intellectual and practical, of exploring how things work. In my free time, I enjoy reading, hiking, some birdwatching, and three grand nephews.
Kevin P. Campbell, PhD
Professor, Molecular Physiology and Biophysics
Director, Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center
University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
My research focuses on elucidating the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying various forms of muscular dystrophy. What I like most about science is having to be at the top of your game throughout your career and working with junior scientists. I enjoy spending time with family.
Patricia Champion, PhD
Professor of Biological Sciences
Associate Dean for Research, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, College of Science
University of Notre Dame
My research focuses on the mechanisms used by mycobacterial pathogens to interact with their hosts and cause disease. One of my favorite aspects of science is training postdocs, graduate, and undergraduate researchers. I love seeing them excel in science after they leave Notre Dame. Some of my favorite things are spending time with my family, running, and making homemade pasta.
Barak Cohen, PhD
Alvin J Goldfarb Professor of Computational Biology, Department of Genetics
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
My lab studies how cis-regulatory elements specify genome-wide patterns of expression. The best part of science is the shared excitement among lab mates that comes from pursuing a new idea. When I am not in the lab, I am usually birding, sailing, or trying to paint watercolors.
Jean Cook, PhD
Professor, Pharmacology
Chair & Professor, Biochemistry and Biophysics
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
My research team’s focus is on understanding the molecular mechanisms that control mammalian cell proliferation and genome stability. I love the puzzle-solving aspect of research, the thrill of discoveries, and the opportunity to help others succeed. When not in the lab, I enjoy swimming, somewhat complicated strategy board games, and reading science fiction/fantasy.
Gautam Dantas, PhD
Conan Professor of Laboratory and Genomic Medicine, Departments of Pathology & Immunology, Pediatrics, Biomedical Engineering, Molecular Microbiology, and The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences & Systems Biology
Co-Chief, Division of Laboratory and Genomic Medicine
Co-Director, PhD Program in Computational & Systems Biology
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
My lab works at the interface of microbial genomics, ecology, synthetic biology, and systems biology, to understand, harness, and engineer the biochemical processing potential of microbial communities. I really enjoy brainstorming potential solutions to small and big scientific questions with members of my research team. My favorite activities are spending time with my family, cycling, playing board games, building with Legos, and baking bread.
Enrique M. De La Cruz, Ph.D.
William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry
Head of Branford College
Yale University
My research focuses on the chemistry and physics of the actin cytoskeleton and ATPase enzymes that rearrange RNA and regulate bone calcification. I enjoy helping young scientists, including my laboratory trainees, navigate and achieve their long-term career goals. When not engaged with science, I enjoy searching for vintage vinyl records and spending time with my wife and kids (not necessarily in that order!).
James M. DuBois, DSc, PhD
Bander Professor of Medical Ethics
Executive Director, Bioethics Research Center, Division of General Medical Sciences
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
I do social science research on topics such as informed consent, data sharing, ethics education outcomes, and social issues surrounding novel biomedical technologies. I love asking new research questions and learning (much more than writing up findings—because unlike the reader, I already know how the story ends). I like to unwind by drumming or reading a book with my dog by my side.
Tammy English, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences
Washington University in St. Louis
My research focuses on emotion regulation and how individuals can foster well-being across adulthood into old age. I enjoy exploring ideas with students and collaborators from different backgrounds and perspectives. Outside of work, I like to do jigsaw puzzles and spend time in nature with my family.
Audrey Odom John, PhD
Stanley Plotkin Endowed Chair and Professor, Pediatrics and Microbiology at the University of Pennsylvania
Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
My research interests include antimalarial and antistaphylococcal drug discovery and diagnostics for pediatric infectious diseases. My favorite thing about science is the elusive—but ever so exciting—“aha!” moment of discovery. In my spare time, I enjoy my family, dogs, running (and running with dogs).
S. Kerry Kornfeld, MD, PhD
Professor, Developmental Biology
Washington University of School of Medicine in St. Louis
My research pertains to developmental biology, aging, and metal metabolism, specifically the biology of zinc homeostasis and of aging using C. elegans. I have prioritized mentoring, training, and educating junior researchers and been deeply involved in graduate education, serving as director of the Developmental Biology graduate training program for 17 years. In addition to my professional activities, my wife and I raised three children, and I enjoy white water canoeing and wilderness camping.
Benjamin Major, PhD
Professor, Department of Cell Biology & Physiology
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
We study how changes in protein-protein interactions impact signal transduction and human disease, with a particular focus on oxidative stress in cancer and neurodegeneration. I love discovery, working at the bench, sifting through large datasets, feeling the energy of science within our team, and contributing to research that improves the health of sick humans. Off campus, I love traveling and exploring, often to cities, and recently have joined my lab with a healthy golf addiction.
Whitney McIntyre Miller, PhD
Associate Professor
Chapman University
My scholarship centers on peace leadership and community development and leadership. I love the process of working with grassroots peace leaders around the world looking to improve their communities and schools and bringing students into this work through research opportunities. I live in Southern California with my husband and son and enjoy reading (for fun!), taking our dog for walks, doing yoga, and scorekeeping at my son’s baseball games.
Christina Roberto, PhD
Mitchell J. Blutt & Margo Krody Blutt Presidential Associate Professor of Health Policy
Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
My research interests include antimalarial and antistaphylococcal drug discovery and diagnostics for pediatric infectious diseases. My favorite thing about science is the elusive—but ever so exciting—“aha!” moment of discovery. In my spare time, I enjoy my family, dogs, running (and running with dogs).
Sunny Shin, PhD
Professor of Microbiology
Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
My research focuses on how the innate immune system recognizes bacterial pathogens and how bacterial pathogens evade innate immunity to cause disease. I love sharing the process of scientific discovery with my students and postdocs and helping them develop as scientists. Some of my favorite things include spending time with my family, cooking, and travel.
Christina Stallings, PhD
Theodore and Bertha Bryan Professor in Environmental Medicine
Department of Molecular Microbiology
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
My research focuses on the molecular basis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis pathogenesis, from the perspective of the pathogen and the host. There are so many things I love about science, including discovering things never known before, problem solving, and helping my trainees achieve their personal and professional goals. Outside of science, I love running, reading fiction, and cuddling with my dog.
Simon Tang, PhD, MSCI
Associate Professor
Orthopedic Surgery, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science
Washington University in St. Louis
My research focuses on musculoskeletal pathologies and regenerative strategies to prevent degeneration and chronic pain. I am passionate about promoting the next generation of scientists to continue the wonderful advances of sciences. Outside of the lab, I enjoy hiking and martial arts.
Christopher Waters, PhD
Professor, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
Michigan State University
My laboratory researches how bacteria sense and respond to their environment, focusing on small signaling molecules and the interaction of bacteria with their predatory phage. My favorite part of science is discovering new knowledge with a great team of people! In my free time, I like to play basketball, fish, and do anything outdoors with my family and dog Sammy.
Stephanie W. Watts, PhD, FAHA
Professor, Pharmacology and Toxicology
Michigan State University
I am a cardiovascular pharmacologist who studies blood vessel (dys)function in health and disease. I love being a scientist because I get to wear so many hats: I am a detective, a mentor, a teacher, a communicator, an artist, etc. As a person, I love exercise (sanity!) and baking; somehow, they balance one another off!