Mentoring is not a one-size-fits-all setting and everyone needs different and individualized support and supervision, that reflects their need, goals, and stage of development. A mentor’s role is to support and guide, to encourage but also constructively challenge, and to provide a stable and protective environment in which mentees can grow with confidence.

This philosophy is guided by a simple question:

“What does my mentee need from me in order to perform at their best, to grow scientifically and personally, to maintain mental well-being, and to enjoy their research while advancing our shared scientific goals?”

Our research stands or falls with our scientific integrity. We therefore commit to fostering an environment that values and encourages honesty, reliability, and accountability in both our successes and in our mistakes. We treat mistakes as opportunities for feedback and growth, we reward honesty and transparency instead of punishing experimental failures, and we strive to be a team that can rely on one another.

These standards apply to everyone in the group, including the PI.

Good science is built through collaboration, not internal competition. Our team succeeds together by sharing ideas, supporting each other, and working toward common goals.

While our group places strong emphasis on collaboration, we also encourage a sense of ownership and responsibility for individual projects. The goal of Joshua’s mentoring is to guide group members into scientific independence and to help them grow into confident, curious, and critical independent thinkers.

“Great result, so what does this mean for our larger question? How do you know that this observation is ACTUALLY what you think it is? How can we test that? In which direction do you want to take this experiment/project next?”

Our lab values and guidelines will be discussed, expanded, and dynamically adjusted together with all group members. By developing these norms collaboratively, we aim to build a shared group identity and a work environment that feels respectful, safe, and productive for everyone.