Theresa A. Allison: Mentor Q&A

For National Mentoring Month in January 2021, we asked mentors throughout the Diversity Program Consortium to respond to this brief questionnaire. The responses to these Q&As help showcase the important work mentors do every day, and highlights their creativity and dedication in revising their mentoring practices in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Read more to get acquainted with some of the mentors who work with the DPC.

Mentor Portrait: Jan. 2021 National Mentoring Month Q&A with Theresa A. Allison, M.D., Ph.D.

1. Tell us a bit about your background; for example, when did you become interested in science and what was the reason? Was there a mentor who helped you on your education and/or career pathway?

I am an MD geriatrician and a PhD music anthropologist (ethnomusicologist). It has been a long and confusing path, but a lot of fun. One mentor introduced me to my doctoral field site, a nursing home full of music and arts. Without his support, I cannot imagine how I would have implemented and completed my longitudinal study. Others have challenged me to bridge the gap between music and health research in the context of dementia, which has led to an amazing mixture of medical house calls, and clinical research into quality of life for people living with dementia.

2. What is your area of research?

Music and relationships in the context of dementia caregiving.

3. The past year has presented many new challenges for all of us. What are some of the challenges you have faced as a mentor or as a researcher? What were some of the solutions you found?

I miss seeing my trainees, mentees, colleagues and research partners in person. It is hard to work at home with kids who are trying to live in a pandemic. Learning lots of new video, audio and chat technology, including Zoom cookie baking, have helped to fill the gaps.

4. Has your idea of what it means to be a mentor evolved during the past months?

As the beneficiary of great mentors, my ideas about mentoring are constantly evolving. The pandemic has drawn my attention to the need to be much more aware of what is happening in the home workplace.

5. How have you supported your mentees during the pandemic?

We try to keep it real during meetings. If someone's kids want to say hi, I bring out the tiny dog to entertain them. If someone needs to be off-camera or on mute for privacy, that's fine—we can always use the chat. If adult family members want to check in and see what's up—terrific! It's a chance to communicate and make the lab welcoming. Hopefully this helps.

6. What is something valuable that your mentees have taught you?

Oh my goodness, where do I start? Learning from mentees is a big part of the fun. I particularly love the fresh perspectives that new minds bring to data analysis and interpretation of findings. My mentees challenge me to think more deeply about our research and to take it in new directions.

7. Mentoring plays an important role in fostering a community in STEM. What words of encouragement can you offer to your fellow researchers and mentors?

Make it transparent. New researchers often don't know the tacit rules of the lab. Letting people know what to expect and learning how we each prefer to communicate helps to build a more open community.