2025 Recipients: Dean’s Award for Excellence in Mentoring

Berty DC Arreguin

she/her/they/them
Sociology PhD program
Nomination submitted by Esperanza Padilla (Graduate Student)

"[Berty] has dedicated her time and resources to organize the BIPOC Affinity Group to offer support and connections to underrepresented students of color within the Social and Behavioral Sciences department. As a mentor, [she] has created the social environment for underrepresented scholars to not only survive but to thrive within their respective academic disciplines. As a consequence of this, [her] mentorship has contributed to an active and vibrant community of graduate students of color within the Social and Behavioral Sciences at UCSF." 

“Berty has been an incredible mentor and I am so grateful to be in community with her both as a scholar and as a human being. She has played an integral part in how welcoming the department and program have felt for me, and I am grateful for the time and energy that she puts into mentorship. Berty’s thoughtfulness and warmth is inspirational in that it encourages me to be the best version of myself, which also includes helping to mentor others as well.”

Jessica M. Herrera

she/her
Bioengineering PhD program
Nominations submitted by Stefanny Cachia (Mentee/Intern), Tammy Chang MD, PhD (Faculty), Jacqueline Garcia (Graduate Student), and Selin Flor (Research Assistant)

"Jessica is committed to being a positive role model to other under-represented students in STEM and promoting diversity within the biomedical workforce through mentoring others." 

"By being so positive and grounded in her identity, she spreads tolerance and understanding, and encourages others to celebrate their own diversity and feel comforted in their inclusion in our community. Jessica's exceptional work ethic, scientific acumen, and generosity of spirit makes her a superb role model for any young person pursuing STEM education."

Jennifer Langen

she/her
Neuroscience PhD Program
Nomination submitted by Daniele Canzio, PhD (Faculty)

"Jenn went beyond her duties as a mentor in my rotation. Not only did she welcome any and all questions, get me up to speed with unfamiliar techniques, and provide scientific guidance, but also modeled what it means to be a successful graduate student through the way she thinks about experiments, data, and big ideas. As a first-generation PhD student, Jenn's actions both explicit and implicit, have been crucial to helping me establish myself and develop as an early-stage graduate student."

"Jenn's commitment and deep sense of responsibility toward mentoring others does not stop within the walls of our lab. Jenn has been an ally to other women in STEM. Jenn has leveraged her creativity to dedicate endless energy to design new communication platforms to reach and excite young kids in science."

Kate McCluskey
she/her
Neuroscience PhD program
Nomination submitted by Helen Willsey, PhD (Faculty)

"With her guidance, I’ve developed a greater sense of independence and understanding in the lab, allowing me to design future experiments and explore new directions on my own."

Andrew Pan
he/him
Biomedical Sciences PhD program
Nomination submitted by Caitlyn Dang (Graduate Student)

"It is rare to find a person at so young of an age and so early in their training dedicated to uplifting those behind them."

Deepa Rajan
she/her
Tetrad PhD program
Nomination submitted by Wallace Marshall, PhD (Faculty)

"Deepa’s mentorship made me realize that my scientific capacity was more significant than I thought."

Sabrina Islam, PhD

she/her
Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education; Department of Medicine
Nomination submitted by Pamela Ling (Faculty)

"Through all her work in DEI, Dr. Islam has been a role model not only for young scholars at the CTCRE but also for her peers and faculty. Her humility and kind curiosity are exemplary of her desire to understand why certain populations face more inequities than others and develop the tools to dismantle those inequities.”

“Sabrina is particularly gifted in making research accessible to mentees who might not initially think of themselves as researchers. Her qualitative research training nurtures deep listening, empathy and attention to detail, and it has been a source of inspiration to students who may be intimidated by statistical analysis, but engage enthusiastically with storytelling.”

Bogdan Popescu, MD, PhD

he/him
Department of Medicine
Nomination submitted by Cheryl Peretz, MD (Faculty)

"Bogdan developed a strong skill of navigating life that helps him connect with mentees with ease. He talks candidly about his struggles and his successes to provide unique insights and generously shares his own experiences to empathize, reassuring mentees that they’re not alone. He is a compassionate listener and willing to lend gentle encouragement, emphasizing the importance of self-kindness and mental health maintenance as scientists, oftentimes overlooked in STEM careers.”

‌“…Dr. Popescu as an individual strikes an incredibly inspiring figure. He leads a life of great passion and dedication, and he has traversed the world over in pursuit of his dreams. His deep investment in making a positive impact on people around him, namely those he mentors, is greatly palpable.”

Wendy Xin, PhD

she/her
Department of Neurology
Nominations submitted by Jonah Chan, PhD (Faculty), Albert Zhang, PhD (Postdoc), and Monique Lillis (Graduate Student)

“Even as her academic accomplishments, insight into scientific research, and her leadership qualities are second to none, I am most impressed with the example that she sets for other trainees. I can honestly say that her presence in my lab has made me a better scientist and more importantly, a better person and mentor."‌

"I cannot think of someone more deserving of recognition for mentorship than Wendy Xin. She has personally mentored me through my PhD, my search for a postdoctoral lab, and acted as a role model for succeeding as a woman in science… Wendy inspires me with her incredible scientific knowledge, her investment in others, and her perseverance through challenges.”

Juan Carlos (J.C.) Gonzalez, PhD
he/him
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Nomination submitted by Evan Holloway, PhD, MA (Faculty)

"His passion for mentorship drives him daily in his work and is a key strength that sets him apart from other postdoctoral fellows."

Mark Hawes, PhD
he/him
Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education
Nomination submitted by Maya Vijayaraghavan, MD, MAS (Faculty)

"Mark is a team member who does not draw attention to himself but acts as the glue and support that makes teams work better."

Amanda McQuade, PhD
she/her
Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases
Nomination submitted by Avi Samelson, PhD (Postdoc)

"She is exceptional at threading the needle of being hands-on enough to train her mentees, while being hands-off enough to instill confidence and encourage the independence of her trainees."