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Mentoring Graduate and Undergraduate StudentsLarissa R. Brunner Huber, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Department of Public Health Sciences

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Background

Syracuse University

BA Anthropology, minor Mathematics

University of Massachusetts

MS Epidemiology

Emory University

Ph.D. Epidemiology

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How was I mentored?

Syracuse University Mathematics Professor

TA experience

University of Massachusetts Epidemiology professor

Operations Manager

Emory University Epidemiology professor

“Academic” writing

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What did I learn from my mentors?

Grading papers

Interacting with students

Interacting with healthcare professionals

Planning a study

Preparing manuscripts

Writing “academically”

Dealing with difficult people

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Coming to UNC Charlotte

Small department

Many more students than faculty members

Undergraduates!

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Independent studies

What may not workAgreeing to do independent studies for

students you’ve never had in class

Independent study based on solely on student’s interest

Independent study with no concrete end product

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Independent studies

What does workFind a topic that you AND the student are

interested in

Be firm about the end product

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Success stories with independent studies

Jennifer ErsekNC PRAMS data

Physical activity and post-partum depressive symptoms

Publication in JOGNN

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Success stories with independent studies

Views and Intentions towards Pregnancy StudyApproached by 2 undergraduates, 6

graduate students

Learned how to plan a study, collect data

Resulted in pilot data, publication, 2 thesis topics for involved students

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Chairing thesis committees

What may not workSaying “yes” to everyone

Not being involved in development of objective, hypotheses

Not being actively involved in analysis, writing

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Chairing thesis committees

What does workBe choosey!

Have specific deadlines, be firm and realistic about them

More work upfront means less work later

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Success stories with thesis committees Chantel Martin

NHANES data

Micronutrients and development of uterine fibroids

“Best Paper” awards, publication in JWH

Jordan Lyerly NHANES data

Breakfast skipping and physical activity

“Best Paper” awards, publication in PHN

Lauren Graham NC PRAMS data

BMI, weight gain and C-sections

Revise/resubmit in Birth: Issues in Perinatal Care

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Some thoughts about mentoring junior faculty

Little things can make a big differenceOffering to read a manuscript,

reappointment materials

Sharing thoughts about teaching, teaching observations

Don’t necessarily need to be “senior” to make a difference

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Mentoring: Lessons learned

Be choosey!

It’s okay to say “no”!You can’t say “yes” to everyone

Need to know your limits

But give them guidance as to who to approach

It’s okay to be “greedy”! It is not wrong to want an end product that

benefits the student AND you

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Mentoring: Lessons learned

Be respectful, encouraging, helpful Many times you hear they aren’t getting advising they

need

Remember they are students and need guidance They don’t know everything!

Tap into what they are passionate about, but know your limits

Pass on your knowledge They want to learn, many look up to you

It is okay to be friendly with your students Barriers are good, but it is okay for your students to see

you as a real person

Stay in touch with your former students