If you are considering making science a career, that means we fundamentally share a unique ideal: we believe that not only should our work be impactful, but it should also be fun. My first commitment to you as your mentor would be that I would strive to make your experience doing science something that brings a sense of purpose and joy.

A second pillar of my mentorship philosophy is guidance without overpowering your intellectual freedom. I will offer direction and support while encouraging you to explore your ideas and approaches within our research framework to develop your own scientific identity.

The opportunities in science now extend far beyond academia. I will work closely with you to shape your training in the lab to fit your evolving goals, or help you formulate them as you progress through your tenure here. One important distinction of a research lab, compared to other enterprises, is that most positions—except for roles like the PI, lab manager, or research scientist— represent transitional phases in a person's career. A bittersweet reality of this dynamic is that your success in the lab also involves preparing for your eventual departure to embark on the next journey your training has enabled. From the very start, we’ll strategize to ensure that when the time comes, you have the skills, experiences, and opportunities to pursue whatever path you choose next.

I invite you to explore our research directions and get in touch if you are interested in questions related to genomics and neuroscience.