The MCB Community Task Force (CTF) is excited to announce that nominations for the 2025 MCB Mentorship Award are now open!
This annual award recognizes individuals within the MCB community who have provided outstanding mentorship and supported the growth and success of others. By honoring exceptional mentors, the MCB department highlights the vital role mentorship plays in fostering individual development and a thriving community.
The Mentorship Award is a popular recognition. In the 2024 cycle, 34 nominations were received, including 28 unique nominations. Ultimately, three MCB-affiliated winners were selected.
Who can be nominated?
Any faculty member, undergraduate or graduate student, postdoc, research staff, teaching staff, or administrative staff member affiliated with the MCB department.
“We encourage nominators to think about all the ways that they have been impacted positively and in a sustained way by others in the department,” adds Rebecca LaCroix and Maggie Yin of the Community Engagement and Transparency working group who are spearheading this project.
Who can submit a nomination?
Anyone! Nominators do not need to be affiliated with MCB, but nominees must be part of the department.
Examples of Mentorship:
Mentorship can take many forms, including but not limited to:
- Research mentorship (e.g., training new lab members, fostering technical and communication skills)
- Academic mentorship (e.g., advising, supporting teaching development for graduate students, mentoring undergraduates)
- Workplace mentorship (e.g., skill-building, helping new staff transition into roles)
- Career mentorship (e.g., application guidance, career advising)
How to Nominate:
Submit a short nomination statement (maximum 300 words) describing how the nominee has demonstrated exceptional mentorship and positively impacted others. Be sure to include specific examples of their contributions.
Awardees will receive a cash prize and a token of appreciation and will be acknowledged in MCB news channels.
Recognize the outstanding mentors in our community—nominate someone today! Nominations can be submitted through April 1st at 11:59PM. Award recipients will be announced at MCB’s Community Forum on April 25th and in the MCB news channels.
Questions? Contact MCB_CTF@fas.harvard.edu