Nineteen Science Scholars met their match in an October 18 ceremony designed to formally introduce them to each other and to their mentors.
“It’s a great opportunity for everyone to come together—for the scholars to learn more about different aspects of the program, the research going on within the medical school, and to get to know their mentors.” says MD-PhD student Abby Dutton.
Led by MD-PhD students, Geisel School of Medicine’s Science Scholars program provides enhanced research opportunities for first-year medical students and fosters community between Dartmouth’s graduate schools. The program matches medical students with mentors from Geisel, Guarini School of Advanced Studies, and Thayer School of Engineering as well as former Science Scholars and MD-PhD students to help the scholars advance their research careers. Mentoring is critical to learning how to navigate the complex research environment.
Photos by Kurt Wehde
Throughout the year, mentors and mentees meet at least once-a-month, or as frequently as they’d like, in an advising capacity to discuss research opportunities, funding sources, and career trajectories, or simply to get to know each other.
For Dutton, this is a key part of the program—meeting others interested in research and sharing knowledge from career experiences in a variety of fields, “It’s something I’m passionate about.”