Distinguished Postdoc Mentor Award

The Distinguished Postdoc Mentor Award serves to highlight the importance of positive and effective mentoring of postdoctoral scholars. A good mentor not only teaches their mentees but also serves as an advocate, advisor and positive role model during the period of direct training and most often, in the following years.

Nominations must be made by a postdoctoral scholar at UB, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Research Institute on Addictions, or Hauptman-Woodward Institute, using the official online form. Postdoctoral scholars may make only one nomination per year.

A nominee must be a faculty member of the University at Buffalo. However, the nominee does not need to be the direct supervisor/PI of the postdoc who is submitting the nomination. Awardees are not eligible to receive the Distinguished Postdoc Mentor Award in consecutive years.

The following attributes will be considered in the selection of award recipients:

• Represents a positive role model.
• Provides intellectual leadership.
• Articulates expectations clearly.
• Is supportive/encouraging.
• Is enthusiastic.
• Is approachable and understanding with a genuine interest in the welfare (scientific and otherwise) of mentee.
• Provides career guidance to mentee and encourages career development awareness.
• Balances sufficient supervision with freedom for mentee to develop independence.
• Promotes responsible conduct of research.
• Facilitates introduction of mentees to others in their field.
• Advocates for postdoctoral welfare and training.

The recipient of the award will be chosen by the Distinguished Postdoc Mentor Award Selection Committee, chaired by Luis Colón and will also consist of faculty and postdocs. The award recipient will be recognized with a plaque at the Postdoctoral Research Symposium.