As a mentor, my goals are to enhance student independence, self-confidence, appreciation for interdisciplinarity, and experience engaging in diverse forms of communication. I practice a multi-mentoring model, in which multiple mentors work to support multiple mentees. Mentoring is an ongoing exchange between team members. I work with students to develop a research plan and timeline that is both realistic and tailored to their interests, styles, and needs. We communicate frequently, recognizing that research is an iterative process that requires ongoing assessment of ideas and goals, and we celebrate the "small victories". My experience as a researcher has taught me the critical importance of establishing concrete, short-term goals that are attainable and, when accomplished, affirmative. Importantly, I remind student collaborators that while frustrating, "mistakes", "mishaps", setbacks, and delays are just one more component of the research process, often the one from which we learn most.

I am passionate about supporting the professional development of student collaborators. I champion students by providing opportunities to present their research and creative works to other students, at conferences, and exhibitions. For example, I previously collaborated on an integrated faculty-student science-art project entitled 'Pollumage' that explored bird feathers as biomonitors of urban black carbon pollution. This project resulted in a campus exhibition, which included raku pottery and artistic photographs produced by a visual art student. Finally, I believe that research should be balanced with fun. I organize social gatherings, including potlucks, ice cream socials, and movie nights to help build community and support.