2020 Recipients: Dean’s Award for Excellence in Mentoring

The Graduate Division and the Office for Postdoctoral Scholars are pleased to honor the recipients of the 2020 Dean’s Awards for Excellence in Mentoring for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars. The grad students and postdocs below are being recognized for their outstanding work as mentors for their colleagues. Now in its 2nd year, this award celebrates the contributions of trainees who have formally or informally taken on some of the responsibilities typically held by traditional mentors, supervisors, and sponsors during their training, particularly in the areas of research, career and professional development, or social and inspirational mentoring.

Each of the six awardees received a certificate and $500 stipend, and are featured in the recognition video. Congratulations as well to honorable mentions, who also received certificates.

Celebrating the 2020 Awardees

A video celebration of this year's exceptional grad student and postdoc mentors! Join Graduate Dean Elizabeth Watkins, PhD as we learn more about the six awardees' approaches to mentoring through brief interviews with their nominators and the honorees themselves.

Watch short individual videos below, or see the full 30-minute program on YouTube.

Graduate Students

► Awardees

Alain Bonny

Alain Bonny, PhD

Biophysics PhD program
Nominated by Hana El-Samad, PhD (Professor)

“His life trajectory is one of service, of commitment to advancing others, of lifting others up and making the world around him a more equitable place.”

“He is a great researcher, a kind and nurturing human being, and a warrior for equity. He is a mentor, an ally and a sponsor for many.”

Alexandra Long

Alexandra Long, PhD

Tetrad PhD program
Nominated by Sophie Dumont, PhD (Associate Professor)

“Alexandra knows how to truly listen, and listens without judgment, with the mindset that diversity makes this world a better place, and that she can learn as much from her mentees as they can learn from her. She doesn’t just help her trainees learn how to do, but helps them learn how to think for themselves, and become independent...”

Emmanuel Onywera

Nursing Master's Entry Program
Nominated by Lauren Friedman (Nursing MS student)

“He gave us hope that we too could be successful in the program and as nurses. He reminded us to take care of not only ourselves but also our peers. He spent hours of his time explaining complicated material, strengthening our understanding of topics, and answering our questions. Emmanuel’s actions taught us the importance of unity and coming together to motivate and inspire.”

► Honorable Mention: Grad Students

Roberto Efraín (Robbie) Díaz
Tetrad PhD program
Nominated by Steven Cincotta (PhD student, Developmental and Stem Cell Biology)

Melanie (Mel) Jeske
Sociology PhD program
Nominated by Nicole Foti (PhD student, Sociology)

Postdoctoral Scholars

► Awardees

Renaud La Joie

Renaud La Joie, PhD

Memory and Aging Center
Nominated by Amelia Strom (Research Assistant)

“Renaud has exemplified a commitment to rigorous, thoughtful, and collaborative research and has given me countless technical and statistical skills. However, the true value of his mentorship lies in the care and consistency with which he treats all mentees. He is...a compassionate, highly respected figure in our community.”

Matthew McCarroll

Matthew McCarroll, PhD

Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases
Nominated by Douglas Myers-Turnbull (PhD student, Biomedical Informatics)

“A master of his own unique mentorship style, Matt gives clear explanations, hands-on demonstrations, and continual support and encouragement.”

“Matt has the emotional intelligence and dedication to consider every perspective and handle interpersonal conflicts gracefully.”

Helen Willsey

Helen Willsey, PhD

Department of Psychiatry
Nominated by Matthew State, MD, PhD (Professor and Chair, Psychiatry)

“Helen provides critical social and inspirational mentoring to her mentees. Her enthusiasm for science is infectious, and it is clear that she serves as a source of happiness and inspiration for her mentees. She is a key researcher in our multi-institutional Psychiatric Cell Map Initiative research consortium and has been a vocal advocate for her trainees, ensuring that they are...received as valuable contributors.”