Distinguished Postdoc Mentor Award

The Distinguished Postdoc Mentor Award is awarded on an annual basis to faculty members who excel in the mentoring of postdoctoral scholars. A good mentor not only teaches their mentees but also serves as an advocate, advisor and positive role model during the period of direct training and most often, in the following years.

Nominations must be made by a postdoctoral scholar at UB or Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and are limited to one nomination per postdoc, per year. Postdocs who have moved to their next position may submit for up to one additional year. Nominations will be collected in the fall semester and winners will be selected in the spring semester. Nominators wishing to nominate the same mentor (e.g., postdocs in the same lab) are welcome to coordinate their nominations, but each person should submit their own letter of nomination.

A nominee must be a faculty member of the University at Buffalo. Awardees are not eligible to receive the Distinguished Postdoc Mentor Award more than once.

The Distinguished Postdoc Mentor Award recognizes mentors who excel in the mentoring of postdoctoral scholars through support, encouragement and promotion of your research training, professional and personal development, and career goals.

• Provides career guidance to mentee and encourages career development awareness.
• Promotes responsible conduct of research and articulates expectations clearly.
• Advocates for postdoctoral welfare and training.

• Balances sufficient supervision with freedom for mentee to develop independence.
• Facilitates introduction of mentees to others in their field.

• Represents a positive role model and provides intellectual leadership.
• Is supportive, encouraging and enthusiastic.
• Is approachable and understanding, with a genuine interest in the welfare (scientific and otherwise) of the mentee.

Postdocs will be asked to identify the categories in which the nominee excels as a postdoc mentor. Nominations are not limited to the categories above, but must include one or more specific examples of how the nominee has provided you personally with excellent mentoring in each category selected. Nominators are encouraged to prepare responses in a separate document, and copy/paste their prepared text onto the online nomination form.

The recipient of the award will be chosen by the Distinguished Postdoc Mentor Award Selection Committee, which will consist of faculty and postdocs.