UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #1084

Mentoring Philosophy As a mentor, my primary goal is to help my mentee develop their skills and abilities to get to the next professional stage. Ideally, with enough training, they become productive members in the laboratory. Networking will help mentees find their next mentor and get them engaged with the profession. I also have personal strength with networking and would like to use that to help foster mentees' feelings of belonging within our respective scientific communities.
In addition to this, I will prioritize communication and cultivate safe spaces. I will be considerate in how I ask questions and mindful of giving opportunities to mentees. I think personally, when it comes to the psychosocial parts of a mentor/mentee relationship, it is a priority I have for my mentee that they are in a good place psychosocially.
I expect my mentees to be open and honest with me about professional topics, and if they are comfortable, I do think I will lean towards being a nurturing mentor. I also expect mentees to always put their best foot forward and try new things. I think this goes with cultivating a safe place where mentees can try things or write things they are not sure about, and feel comfortable having their mentor provide feedback. I strive for my mentoring relationship to allow for the growth of the mentee, but also create a laboratory that is productive to keep funding and training mentees.