» Mentoring Strategies: Beyond the Bench

2009 Trainee Symposium on
"Mentoring Strategies: Beyond the Bench"
(sponsored by the Trainee Advisory Committee)

Organizers:
Karen Sweazea (University of New Mexico)
My Helms, Ph.D. (Emory University)

Based on the Professional Skills Document, as well as the outcome of the Trainee Advisory Committee (TAC) Survey, the TAC has identified laboratory management skills as a necessary, but often neglected, component of trainee education. These skills include learning how to effectively communicate, supervise/mentor, and manage the diverse array of situations that can arise in a laboratory environment.

Therefore, we have organized a management strategies session to complement ongoing science and research education, as well as to facilitate the transition into an independent research career as a physiological scientist. Invited speakers who have demonstrated excellence in these areas will discuss the following topics. 1) The value of mentoring trainees and effective approaches to mentoring ; 2) Skills important for supervising employees in any leadership environment, i.e. academic, government, industry; 3) Capitalizing on diverse personalities in the work environment; and 4) Constructive approaches to conflict resolution. Following the presentations there will be an opportunity for attendees to further discuss the topics described above with the invited speakers in a general panel discussion session.

Short scenarios, representative of situations that frequently arise in a laboratory group setting, will be provided to guide and stimulate discussion. It is anticipated that the relevance and interest in this session spans across trainees at many stages of their early career development. Knowledge acquired from this session will not only benefit trainees entering into academic positions, but will also be beneficial to those entering any alternate career path.

Mentoring Trainees
L. Gabriel Navar, Ph.D. (Tulane University)

Supervising Employees in the Academic, Government, or Industrial Setting
Virginia M. Miller, Ph.D. (Mayo Clinic College of Medicine)

Capitalizing on Diverse Personalities
Cathy Quinones, Ph.D. (Emory University)

Creative Approaches to Conflict Resolution
Eldon J. Braun, Ph.D. (University of Arizona Health Sciences Center)