Mentorship Program
Developing a career in research and medicine is challenging. Mentorship is a key ingredient to success but may not exist at various levels at one’s local institution. Schools typically offer a finite number of mentors, leading early career professionals (graduate students, post-doctoral students etc.) to rely on their peers for answers and support.
Our goal is to link early career professionals with mentors within the IES who have followed a comparable journey in the field of academic medicine and research especially as it relates to eosinophils. Mentors offer personalized support to augment the early career professional’s existing mentoring circles. Whether it involves assistance with research papers, grants, or sharing interview tips, the guidance of a mentor can set them apart and reassure them that they are not navigating this journey alone. Priority for travel grants will be given to mentorship participants
If you are interested in becoming a mentor or mentee, please click here and select that you are interested in our Mentorship Program. Following your submission, IES staff will reach out with more information.
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In our 2024–2025 program, mentor Yash Choksi and mentee Jerry Fu were paired based on shared academic interests. At the time, Jerry was preparing his medical school applications, and Yash supported him through multiple mock interview sessions. Jerry went on to receive multiple acceptances and ultimately enrolled at the University of Miami. Their mentorship continued beyond the initial goal. With Yash’s guidance, Jerry explored research opportunities and applied to a competitive NIH-funded T35 summer program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where Yash is based. After being accepted, Jerry will be joining Yash’s lab this summer, marking the beginning of an ongoing research collaboration. Pictured: Jerry Fu & Yash Choksi staffing the IES Early Career Booth at the 2025 IES Congress |
2024-2025 Mentorship Participants
|
Mentor |
Mentee(s) |
| Steven Ackerman | Eva Gruden & Shashini Perera |
| Praveen Akuthota | Laura Bergantini & Nicholas Genovese |
| Yash Choksi | Jerry Fu & Yura Ha |
| Joan Cook-Mills | David Barinberg & Roopesh Singh |
| Matthew Drake | Marco Zurlo & Krishan Chhiba |
| Amy Klion | Mario Alberto Ynga Durand |
| Fei Li Kuang | Jian Luo |
| Manali Mukherjee | April Raftery |
| Marc Rothenberg | Nicola Diny |
| Amali Samarasinghe | Roopa Nanjundappa |
| Lisa Spencer | Cordelia Manickam |
Mentorship Program Guidelines
Time Commitment
Mentees take the lead over their mentorship program, with the flexibility to determine the frequency of meetings based on their preferences. While we suggest a minimum of four approximately 1-hour meetings per year, mentees are free to choose a schedule that suits their needs. Additionally, an in-person meeting opportunity will be provided at the 2025 IES Biennial Congress for both mentees and mentors, contingent on their attendance.
Eligibility and Commitment
Mentees
- Must be a current IES Trainee Member
- Willing to attend virtual mentorship meetings
- Willing to commit to at least one full year of mentorship
Mentors
- Must be a current IES Member with successful experience and advice to share
- PhD, MD
- Willing to attend virtual mentorship meetings
- Willing to commit to at least one full year of mentorship and one mentee