The Value of Mentorship

Every year UBRP students may nominate their faculty and supporting mentors for the UBRP Outstanding Mentor Awards.  Only one winner is selected annually for each award, and the finalists are presented with these awards at the Annual UBRP Conference.  This year’s UBRP Outstanding Faculty Mentor awardee is Dr. Katalin Gothard (nominated by Sun Woo Kim) and the UBRP Outstanding Graduate Student Mentor awardee is Jeaho Lim (nominated by Natalie Rawlings). 

The value of good mentorship during a research experience is unparalleled and can impact a student’s retention in STEM and research, their pursuit of graduate degrees and their future careers. The work and impact of our UBRP mentors cannot be overestimated; the benefits of solid mentorship are seen when described and attested to directly by our students. 

According to UBRP/BRAVO! student Sun Woo Kim, a mentor plays a pivotal role in fostering a climate where students are encouraged to be proactive.  Additionally, Kim appreciates that Dr. Gothard always emphasizes the importance of discussing the ‘whys’ of the research. “This has inspired me to always think about why I’m doing what I’m doing.  Discussions about the ‘why’ behind research projects have instilled in me the significance of promoting critical thinking,” Kim states.

Kim is also quick to point out Dr. Gothard’s infectious passion for science. “I have never seen Dr. Gothard not being excited about science… her excitement always gets me excited about learning new things every day.” Kim states. “One key takeaway is the transformative power of enthusiasm. Dr. Gothard’s flaming excitement for research creates an infectious atmosphere that fosters a genuine passion for learning. I plan to infuse this same enthusiasm into my future research lab, knowing that a passionate mentor can inspire and enhance the learning experience for mentees.”

Dr. Gothard has served as an excellent role model, and Kim now aims to emulate this style of mentorship for her own mentees in the future. “I plan to encourage my mentees to delve deeper into the rationale behind their work to look at the bigger picture, promoting a more profound understanding of their academic pursuits. Dr. Gothard's genuine care and support have underscored the emotional aspect of mentorship.  In the future, I aspire to be not only an academic guide but also a supportive figure, understanding my mentees' individual needs and aspirations. Dr. Gothard’s mentorship will absolutely shape my approach as a mentor in the future as I aim to create an environment that nurtures both academic and personal growth in my future mentees.” 

Students also appreciate being challenged to grow by their mentors. Natalie Rawlings, UBRP/Data Sciences Academy student, nominated Jeaho Lim for his positive attitude as well as being a fantastic teacher and “a unifying force…making great efforts to make our lab feel like a family.”  Rawlings appreciates that Lim “believes in not giving his students the immediate, easy answer and instead encourages them to follow their curiosity and seek the answer themselves.”

Rawlings has also learned more from Lim beyond the science. “Jeaho has taught me the value of being an approachable, positive mentor. Many undergraduates share the experience of feeling like they 'don't belong' in research, and a good mentor can completely change that. Jeaho has been an excellent mentor because of how well he engages me in his work and includes me in projects. He encourages me frequently, which I think is vital because research can sometimes be very challenging. I hope I can one day be a mentor as encouraging, helpful, and kind as Jeaho is!”

UBRP acknowledges the important role that mentors play in the lives of students, and we deeply appreciate the time, energy, resources, and care that our faculty, graduate students, post-docs and others invest into mentoring our students.  Thank you!