My role as a mentor manifests in many different ways. I will guide experimental design, troubleshoot techniques, teach new concepts, review and critique writing and presentations, and help navigate the often confusing world of academic medicine. I will also ensure that the lights stay on, reagents are stocked and equipment is maintained so that everyone is able to focus on their work.

In terms of career development, my goal is to help you identify what you want and how to best achieve this. Often people start out without a clear idea of what they want – it is difficult to plan your future when you haven’t established where your talents and interests lie. Clarifying your personal motivation is essential to having a successful career and I encourage you to spend time and resources to do this. My experience is that the more clarity people have on where they want to go the better positioned they are to successfully get there. We can brainstorm together on how to make this happen, such as using individual development plans, networking strategically, attending conferences, and participating in local, regional and national events to gain exposure to different aspects of biomedical research.

Clear and effective communication is key to any relationship and we can also jointly identify the best way to achieve this. One advantage of being a junior PI is that my schedule is quite flexible and I can be readily available as needed. I will make sure to touch base with you on a regular basis to ensure that you are staying on track in terms of research and career development.

The true test of a mentor-mentee relationship is when the interests of the mentee diverge from the mentor’s. However, one point that I want to make is that as mentors we have all been trainees in the past and we understand where you come from. Sometimes things don’t work out as initially planned and that is OK. I would never fault anyone for acting in their own best interest. I hope to foster open and honest communication regarding this.

And for those of you who feel like you do not belong here – I often feel the same way. The best advice that I got regarding this is as follows: You belong here because you come from a different background, not in spite of it. Because originality and innovation are essential for scientific progress. And if you are here even though no one like you walked the same path, that is the best evidence that you are capable of breaking away from the mainstream and charting your own path forward, and this is exactly what you need to be an exceptional scientist. It is really hard to do this! So I would encourage you to give yourself credit, try not to get discouraged, and keep going.