I am a strong proponent of the "joint discovery" approach to mentorship that naturally develops between scientists working together. First, we use the Socratic Method to clarify our thoughts and identify interesting biological questions and paradoxes, thereby "discovering" the project together. Second, we apply the Scientific Method to develop causal hypotheses, design experiments to test the models, and hopefully answer these questions. I believe this joint discovery approach is particularly successful in developing confidence, critical thinking, and scientific rigor in young researchers. Below is a partial list the awards given in recognition of this work and the individuals with whom I have had the privelege of working:
2021 School of Biological Sciences Postdoctoral Mentorship Award, University of Utah
Awarded by Graduate Student Advisory Committee in recognition of research mentorship
2013 Ecology and Evolution Departmental Award, Stony Brook University
Awarded by Departmental Faculty in recognition of undergraduate research mentorship
2023-2026 Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University
Cassidy Schneider B.A., Pursuing M.S. University of Alberta, Canada
Harlie Howard, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Auburn University, AL
Eva Hammonds, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Auburn University, AL
Layton Spates B.A., Pursuing J.D. University of Alabama, AL
Damilola Ogunniyi, CASE REU Student from Bowie State University, MD
2018-2021 School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah
Josh Seoane B.S., Facilities Specialist, Spark Therapeutics, Inc., PA
Graham Taggart B.S., Data Analyst, Phoenix Partners, UT
Zach Bowser, B.S.,
Michelle White B.S., Pursuing M.D. University of Utah School of Medicine, UT
Kobe Ikegami M.S., Bioinformatic Analyst, Fred Hutchison Cancer Center, WA
2009-2017 Department of Ecology and Evolution, Stony Brook University
Ovaun Latouche M.S., M.S. New York University, now Ph.D. Yale School of Medicine, CT
Jacky Chuen B.S., M.D. Ph.D. Candidate at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NY
Andy Yoon B.S., Undergraduate Research Assistant, Stony Brook University, NY
Rachel Yin R.N., Assistant Director, Pavilion Queens for Rehabilitation & Nursing, NY
Nik Davila B.S., Manager, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY
Lauren Scanlon B.A., High School Biology Teacher Forest Hills High School, Queens, NY
Dalia Haraj B.A., Undergraduate Research Assistant, Stony Brook University, NY
Alen Carlo David M.S., Pharmacology, Stony Brook University, NY
Ryan Mulqueen Ph.D., Postdoctoral Odyssey Fellow MD Anderson Cancer Center, TX
Amanda Abrams, Summer research student from Noor Lab, Duke University, NC
Chris Coulter B.S., Senior Manager, Baim Institute for Clinical Research, MA
Brittany Barnett B.S., Undergraduate Research Assistant, Stony Brook University, NY
Gabrielle Wolfman B.S., Undergraduate Research Assistant, Stony Brook University, NY
Ferrukh Ghauri D.O., Family Medicine Doctor, Long Island City, NY
Joyce Lee B.A., Cryptologic Linguist / Analyst, Washington D.C.
Lyann Wong R.N., Nursing School, Long Island University, NY
Uzma Rahman M.D., Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellow, Johns Hopkins Hospital, MD
Steven Zhu, Transferred to City University of New York, NY
Kang Li B.S., Physician Assistant at St Vincent Hospital, PA
Alicia Minervini M.S., Laboratory Coordinator, City College of New York, NY
Seema Sawh B.S., Global Procurement Manager, Regeneron, NY
I'm always happy to hear updates from former students
Please get in touch if any of this information is out of date