Honoring Excellence in Mentoring

AMI DOSHI MD, FAAP

Pediatrics

Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Awardee

“She merits recognition as an outstanding mentor because of her remarkable ability to connect with mentees through her genuine approachability and openness. She creates a safe, trusting environment where mentees feel comfortable discussing even the most sensitive topics—ranging from work-life challenges to career doubts and personal struggles.”

JACK D. BUI, MD, PHD

Pathology

Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Awardee

“His mentorship is not only effective, it is transformative. UC San Diego is a stronger institution because of it.”

SALLY LIU BAXTER, MD, MSC

Ophthalmology

Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Awardee

“Sally's ability to mentor her students is so impressive that peers and faculty at other institutions have noted how astounding it is that she can do everything she does.”

DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHIATRY

Department/Division Excellence in Mentoring Awardee

“The department’s unwavering commitment to mentorship has created a thriving academic community where faculty at all stages of their careers can grow and excel.”

LYUDMILA BAZHENOVA, MD

Medicine, Hematology and Oncology

Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Awardee

“I am impressed every day by her commitment to education. She not only imparts practical advice but also offers profound insights, helping mentees explore their interests, hone their skills, and navigate challenges.”

RICHARD DANEMAN, PHD

Pharmacology and Neurosciences

Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Awardee

“His open-door policy and willingness to engage in both scheduled and impromptu meetings make him a mentor who is truly accessible to all his trainees. Rich so clearly cares about cultivating scientific minds, and in doing so, has fostered a rich culture of mutual respect and collaboration.”

REBECCA FIELDING-MILLER, PHD, MSPH

Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Longevity Science

Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Awardee

“Through her mentorship, I have developed greater resilience in facing challenges in academia and public health. She is also incredible in providing constructive feedback and receptive to feedback in a way that propels our goals, and professional development forward.”

DIVISION OF CLINICAL PHARMACY, SKAGGS SCHOOL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES

Department/Division Excellence in Mentoring Awardee

“The general climate at SSPPS is highly conducive and supportive of mentored research for junior faculty.”

NATALIE AFSHARI, MD, MA

D. YVETTE LACOURSIERE, MD, MPH

SARA GIANELLA, MD

ABRAHAM PALMER, PHD

MAILE YOUNG KARR​IS, MD

MANA M. PARAST, MD, PHD​

ANDREA Z. LACROIX, PHD

Epidemiology​

Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Longevity Science​​

MARIA J. MARQUINE, PHD

DAVEY SMITH, MD, MAS

ADRIANA TREMOULET, MD, MAS

Pediatrics, Host-Microbe Systems & Therapeutics

"As a native Spanish speaker and someone with exceptional organizational and leadership qualities, Dr. Tremoulet was able to create a multi-center collaborative network across Latin America. At every opportunity, she brought junior colleagues on board and mentored them in the intricacies of multi-national collaboration. Dr. Tremoulet has helped launch the career of dozens of Latin American scholars."

RONALD ELLIS, MD, PHD

Neurosciences and Psychiatry

"Despite his already busy calendar and all his responsibilities, he agreed to meet with me on the weekly basis to discuss the different steps of the project and offer me valuable guidance. He was available at any time to help me with any difficulty along the way. Other than the research aspect, he also inquired about my well-being and supported me during the hardships of my life."

JAMES MURPHY, MD, MS

Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences

"Jim’s genuine commitment to doing what is morally right and best for others (be it patients or mentees) makes him an ideal role model. Jim’s mentorship has extended beyond career, as he has helped me uphold values critical to work-life balance. Jim recently mentioned that he sees helping students and residents excel in what they are passionate about as his priority."

ALISON A. MOORE, MD, MPH​

Medicine, Geriatrics and Gerontology​

​"In academia, it is still incredibly difficult to succeed as a woman, as evidenced by the very few women who hold top University positions. As the Division Chair of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Dr. Moore has achieved that. More impressively she is actively and successfully pulling women up with her. Dr. Moore has helped me maintain focus on my ultimate career goal (research independence). Aside from these academic successes, what has been of greater value to me is Dr. Moore’s constant encouragement, and advocacy."​

ROBERT N. WEINREB, MD​

​Ophthalmology​

​​"Like so many of my colleagues who are faced with challenging clinical, scientific or academic problems, I first often think “What would Dr. Weinreb do?” But, invariably, I (we) typically call and obtain his advice at any time of day or night. He also advises us on prioritization of competing responsibilities and provides strategic insight and tactical options for addressing departmental and organization politics. He educates and stimulates, knows when to adopt and maintain a low profile, and intervenes when support is needed. This had had a lifelong impact that did not end after the completion of formal training for me and countless other mentees."​

DARCY WOOTEN, MD, MS

Medicine, Infectious Diseases​

"In the 4 years since she joined the leadership of the Infectious Diseases Fellowship program as Assistant Program Director, she has dedicated herself to improving the mentoring, health and wellness of our fellows and they LOVE her for it. Dr. Wooten has used her magic touch on every aspect of our program from weekly didactics and conferences, to introducing a Twitterstorm of educational and quality improvement tidbits while on daily rounds. This program is followed by hundreds of people across the country. She also began a family sib program to encourage interaction between our senior fellows and new fellows (of course with fun names such as “The Gram Positives” and “The Acid Fast Bacilli”) and hosts journal clubs and relaxing mixers in her own home."

PAMELA L. MELLON, PHD

Ob/Gyn and Reproductive Sciences

"Pam has opened doors for women at UC San Diego for decades. As chair and member of many faculty search committees, promotion committees, and Department Chair review committees, she has emphasized the importance of gender neutrality in an effort to maintaining open doors for females. With respect to promoting the careers of women, she has been a leader in junior faculty mentoring programs, both formally and informally to many."​

VICTOR NIZET, MD

Pediatrics, Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics​

​​"Victor manages not only to give constructive feedback on ongoing research projects but also to structure an overall plan for each mentee and provide guidance in how to achieve the next milestone in their path to success. I was once told that “5 minutes with Dr. Nizet equals an hour with any other mentor,” and I have found this to be a true statement (although meetings with him are not limited to 5 minutes!)."