Thomas Huckaba: 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 Thomas Huckaba, 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?

Kind of stumbled into the academic side of science. Like a lot of young students, I was good at science and so was told from an early age that I should be a doctor. Wasn't until late in my training that I worked in a laboratory and fell in love with it. I've had a mixture of good and not-so-good mentors along the way. I try to do the things that worked well and avoid the things that didn't. I'm also stealing things I see that work effectively for my colleagues.

2. What is your area of research?

Cell Biology and Neuroscience

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?

Of course, not being able to have students in the lab made it tough. I kept a few students on doing literature research that I hope will help their foundation of knowledge in the field once we can get back to the bench.

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

I don’t think so.

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

I find that I do a lot more of emailing short little supportive notes. It's not a bad habit to be in, although I think I'm simply doing via email what I try hard to do in person normally.

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

Patience.

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?

At the end of the day, even if you make mistakes in your mentoring, your students are surprisingly perceptive about whether or not you actually care about them (both as future scientists and as people). I'm far from perfect, but I believe my students never question whether I am on their side.

8. Any other thoughts on topics not covered in this form?

Looking forward to getting back to "normal" on the other end of this. I really do miss being in the lab with my students.