"Reflecting on the Role of a Research Mentor"

A primary mission of an academic institution is to ensure that the values, standards, and practices of science are effectively transmitted from one generation of researchers to the next. Within the context of research, a core component of this process is mentoring. Mentoring is the key for developing and sustaining a satisfying scientific career. Research indicates an overall improvement in the quality of the mentoring relationship and research experience when mentors participate in mentor training and when mentees receive training in how to be mentored. The Iowa Mentoring Academy (IMA) is an initiative, proposed by the Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (ICTS), to assist the University of Iowa (UI) in advancing its efforts to develop and sustain effective research mentorship. IMA mentor and mentee training programs build on curricula developed and researched over decades. As Associate Director for the IMA, I will provide a brief history of the development of the mentor training curricula and provide an opportunity for reflection on what it means to be a research mentor.