Developing a Professional Mentor Relationship (+5)

 

Dr. Kynon Benjamin is my research mentor at Northwestern University. We first met at ABRCMS in 2024 after I asked a Northwestern faculty member if they knew anyone working on epigenetics. Dr. Benjamin and I met for breakfast the next morning and by the time the fire alarm went off at 7:55am, I had a job offer in Chicago. Since then, Dr. Benjamin and I have worked together to understand how epigenetic measurement tools can be used to understand schizophrenia and other neuropsychiatric disorders. Dr. Benjamin has afforded me the opportunity to learn in an entirely new field. Computational neuroscience and biology is difficult, however his willingness to be patient with me as I learn coding techniques has been the reason I've stayed in this field. Further, he has pushed me to excellence by requiring that I do things I don't know how to do and ensuring that I show up dressed for success. His rules about professionalism and challenge have pushed me to become a better scientist and a better professional. 

By Nia Terry