The mentor gratitude project
August 28, 2019In a recent post, I expressed regret at having failed to directly and fully thank my primary Ph.D. adviser while he was alive.
This regret has been useful in motivating me to identify and (when possible) thank others who have been unusually helpful and influential in my professional development. I’ve previously discussed a couple of them on this blog: George Kosaly (a former research collaborator) and John Peterson (a high school social studies teacher). Here’s the rest of my (imperfect, incomplete) list:
- Pete Farwell. My college running coach, who was great running-wise but also encouraged my creative endeavors (poems and songs) for team gatherings.
- Dan Lynch. My undergraduate research mentor, who demystified the enterprise of laboratory research for me.
- Mary Lidstrom and Wes Van Voorhis. My postdoctoral research supervisors. Very different styles, but both excellent scientists who also found ways to support my interest in teaching.
- Doug Meyer. My junior high school vocal music teacher, who gave me an excellent grounding in ear training and music theory.
- Do Peterson. A friend who, in addition to introducing me to my now-wife, has been a musical mentor to me ever since we recorded Take Me to the Liver in 1996.
- My parents. My dad especially for informing my development as a writer, and my mom especially for being my first teacher role model.
My Track Record 
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