How to pick a graduate advisor

Ben A Barres

doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2013.10.005

How to pick a graduate advisor

Neuron. 2013 Oct 16;80(2):275-9. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2013.10.005.

Author

Ben A Barres¹

Affiliation

¹ Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Neurobiology, Fairchild Building Room D235, 299 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305-5125, USA. Electronic address: barres@stanford.edu.

PMID: 24139033
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2013.10.005

Abstract

In this NeuroView, I provide a guide for young scientists on how to select a graduate advisor or postdoctoral advisor. Good mentorship is not only pivotal for career success, but it is pivotal for driving innovation and for the health of our universities. Universities need to do much more to teach faculty how to mentor and to ensure mentoring quality. I propose an M-index to measure mentoring quality. I also call here for better studies of what great mentorship entails, better reward for great mentors, and more consideration of mentoring quality when awarding prizes and grants.

MeSH terms

Education, Graduate*
Mentors* / psychology
Research Personnel / education*