How to be a GREAT mentor

How to be an effective ally

Inclusivity in biomedical research provides many positive attributes, including increased productivity, higher creativity, and improved wellness for all. While marginalized individuals work tirelessly to achieve equity and inclusion, this task should not be left solely to those most affected by exclusionary tactics. These individuals and the organizations with whom they are affiliated would benefit from the support of an ally. An ally is defined as a person or organization that actively supports the rights of a marginalized group without being a member of it. Allies have a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in promoting fairness, equity, and inclusion, and thus serve as positive change agents within an organizational setting. We summarize here the importance of being an effective and dynamic ally and offer guidance on how to achieve that goal.

Establishing the short course in transferable skills training program

While PhD programs prepare graduate students to perform biomedical research, a defined systematic training program for transferable skills is generally lacking. When provided, this training is often informal, unstructured, or inconsistent. Therefore, there is a need to provide critical skills in marketing, relationship building, project management, and budgeting to prepare trainees to navigate into a productive, engaging, and rewarding biomedical research career. To address this gap in training, the School of Graduate Studies at Meharry Medical College has developed the SHort Course In transFerable skills Training (SHIFT) Program, a 1-year professional development program accessible to graduate students in the United States who are enrolled in graduate biomedical research related programs. The SHIFT Program has been launched to equip trainees with skills essential for success in all biomedical science careers. PhD students will be taught the primary constituents of career management through the use of four training modules. In Module I, students complete self-assessments and are assigned to a small peer-mentoring team with mentors. Module II consists of a 5-day workshop that encompasses instruction on the transferable skills identified as essential for career success. Module III entails monthly interactive discussions over a 6-month period involving case study review and mentor-guided discussions to further reinforce skills learned. In Module IV, students compile the information learned from Modules I-III to develop an Individual Development Plan that incorporates 3-5 specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based career goals. Collectively, the SHIFT Program will allow participants to train, practice, and refresh skills, empowering them to navigate career transitions and obtain success in the career of their choice.

A guide to establishing, implementing, and optimizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) committees

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) efforts are increasingly recognized as critical for the success of academic institutions. These efforts are facilitated mainly through the formation of dedicated DEIA committees. DEIA committees enhance professional development and create a more inclusive environment, which benefits all members of the institution. Although leadership and faculty membership have recognized the importance and necessity of DEIA, the roles of DEIA committees may be more ambiguous. Although leadership and faculty may seek to support DEIA at their institutions, they may not always fully understand the necessity of these committees or how to successfully create a committee, foster and promote its success, and sustain its impact. Thus, here, we offer a background rationale and guide for strategically setting up DEIA committees for success and impact within an academic institution with applicability to scientific societies.

Initiating your coronation

Earning an advanced degree in biomedical sciences can be a challenging experience, and recent data indicate high levels of stress and anxiety among the current generation of learners. We propose here a new illustration for all graduate students to visualize their didactic journey as a coronation process. Before their coronation, trainees must undergo rigorous preparation. During the training, four key attributes, best described by the acronym COST (Credibility, Opportunity, Strength, and Tenacity), are cultivated. Throughout their academic journey, which is a critical period of intellectual and personal growth, the trainees will enhance their understanding of the responsibility of wearing a CROWN, which requires accepting the Cost of earning a diadem, Revolutionizing their thought construct, being Open to innovation and research, acknowledging that Wealth is intrinsically connected to their health, and Never forsaking their aspiration and pursuits. Executing these principles daily will provide a mechanism on which to rise to the stature of achieving individual career goals (i.e., being a Regent of your life). Actualization of this process requires sacrifice, maturity, and a sense of fearlessness. The results of taking this approach will lead to an educational legacy that establishes a pattern of academic success that can be emulated by future learners.

Addressing the decline in graduate students' mental well-being

At the American Physiology Summit 2023 session entitled, "Mental Health for Graduate Students," numerous students expressed struggling with poor mental well-being primarily because of negative experiences during their graduate training. In fact, studies show that up to 50% of graduate students report symptoms of depression, anxiety, or burnout during their training, and poor mental well-being is a major contributor to students' decision to leave academia. Most of the current solutions focus on treatment or wellness strategies; while these are important and necessary, the training environment or culture that often contributes to worsening well-being continues to persist. In this collaborative article between trainees and mentors across various career stages, we discuss how the pace of scientific advancements and the associated competition, lack of sufficient support for students from diverse backgrounds, and mentor-mentee relationships crucially influence graduate students' mental well-being. We then offer specific solutions at the individual, institutional, and national levels that can serve as a starting point for improving graduate students' mental health and overall training experience.

Grace, Inspiration, Fulfillment, Timeless, Soulful (GIFTS): The Why and How of Podcasts for Recognition and Mentoring of Faculty in Medicine

This commentary offers the reader an alternative to mentoring through the use of PODCASTS. By providing the listener with an understanding of the challenges and opportunities for self-reflection and sharing of experiences by the interviewees, we are impacting the listener attitudes and future goals through lessons learned.