T32 Predoctoral training grant in genetics

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Project Summary The objective of the Supplement is to improve the quality of advisor-graduate student relationships, specifically in the NIGMS training programs, but also in other programs at the University of Georgia. The mentoring relationship is critical to the experiences of students, and both positive and negative experiences can have profound consequences on the success of a student’s graduate training experience. Our recent work developed a mentorship assessment tool that identifies the general strengths and weaknesses of a mentoring relationship. Here we build on this work to design, implement, and evaluate novel, evidence-based mentoring interventions that support the continuous improvement of mentorship relationships over time. These “wise interventions” aim to help advisors and students develop new ways of thinking about their mentorship experiences, thus leading to more positive interactions and experiences and improved outcomes. Separate intervention series will be designed for advisors and for graduate students that focus on their unique roles in the mentoring relationship. These interventions will be deployed in a small-scale study of 70 advisors and 70 graduate students, and we will test the effectiveness of the interventions using both our mentorship assessment tool and one-on-one interviews. Completion of the proposal Aims will equip advisors and students with capacity to improve the quality and function of their mentoring relationships. The overarching goal is to generate effective interventions that lead to long-term, sustained improvement of the mentoring relationships experienced by students in the NIGMS training programs and beyond. Such improvement will lead to better outcomes for students of all backgrounds.