Are you an excellent mentor in STEM?

In this episode of the CURIOUS Scientists Video Podcast, we interview Dr. Juana Mendenhall and her students to discover five qualities of exceptional STEM mentorship from the perspectives of both the mentor and the mentee.

🤔 Who is this for?

Leaders in STEM who are responsible for mentoring the next generation of academic researchers.

📋 What is it about?

In this episode of the CURIOUS Scientist podcast, Dr. Juana Mendenhall, Vice Provost of Academic Innovation and Learning at Morehouse College, shares her insights into effective STEM mentorship.

Dr. Mendenhall and her students reveal five key qualities of exceptional mentorship:

  1. embracing bi-directional mentorship,
  2. cultivating a scientific identity,
  3. adapting mentorship styles to the strengths and needs of mentees,
  4. fostering research literacy, &
  5. modeling healthy time management.

She also discusses her journey in science and the value of persevering through failure. The episode aims to inspire and guide future scientists, particularly underrepresented minority students, in their academic and professional pursuits.

Grace & Breaks

A key takeaway from the CURIOUS Scientists episode "Grace & Breaks," featuring Dr. Juana Mendenhall and her students, is the reminder that it all will get done. Take your time and enjoy the process along the way!

Click to Order

⌚️ Time Stamps

00:00 Preview
01:28 Introduction
02:00 Bidirectional Mentorship
05:33 Scientific Identity
12:04 Adaptive Mentorship
14:42 Research Literacy
18:26 Time Management

🔬 Sponsor

This episode was sponsored by the NSF-Funded Center for Chemical Innovation, the Center for Molecularly Optimized Networks, or MONET, as part of its broader impact on higher education and professional development.

MONET's overarching goal is to advance the field of polymer science through innovative research while actively engaging and inspiring the public.

📣 Speakers

  1. Juana Mendenhall, Ph.D. | Vice Provost, Walter E. Massey Professor at Morehouse College and Senior Investigator with the Center of Molecularly Optimized Networks
  2. Isaiah Frazier | Biology Major on Pre-Med Track, McNair Scholar, Phi-Delta Epsilon Member, & Howard Thurmond Honors Program Participant
  3. Khari Rivers | Undergraduate Student at Morehouse College in Applied Physics & Aerospace Engineering
  4. Vanessa Rosa, Ph.D. | Director of Broader Impacts, NSF Center for Chemical Innovation (CCI): The Chemistry of Molecularly Optimized Networks

🎞️ Editor

A special thank you to Rafael Fernanz, founder of Cinematic Memories, for editing the introduction of today's episode!

📄 Resources

🎙️ Who is the host?

Vanessa Rosa, Ph.D., founded Cuvette Collective to partner with scientists in bridging the gap between academic research and societal impact. A leading voice in transforming how researchers demonstrate, measure, and amplify their societal impact, Dr. Rosa combines chemistry, graphic design, animation, and statistics expertise to innovate science communication solutions collaboratively.

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