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Impact in Education: Shantaram Joshi, Ph.D.

Shantaram Joshi, Ph.D.

Shantaram Joshi, Ph.D., is one of the recipients of the Office of Academic Affairs’ 2017 Impact in Education Awards. He will receive the Inspirational Mentor of Educators Award.

  • Name: Shantaram Joshi, Ph.D.
  • Title: Professor, genetics, cell biology and anatomy
  • Joined UNMC: April 1983
  • Hometown: Gokarna, Karrnataka, India

Inspirational Mentor of Educators Award

This award recognizes an individual who has mentored and sponsored junior faculty or trainees at the local, regional, or national level including a consistent track record of fostering future educators.

Tell us how mentors inspired you.
The guidance of a committed mentor is one of the best gifts any learner can have. I have had the good fortune of having several such mentors who have inspired me, challenged me and helped me grow throughout my career. Among the multitude of individuals I have had the pleasure to work with at UNMC, Drs. Graham Sharp, David Crouse, Ken Metcalf, Tom Rosenquist and Vimla Band have been instrumental in my career. Drs. Sharp and Crouse inspired me with their vast knowledge in research and commitment to teaching. Drs. Metcalf and Rosenquist gave me the opportunity to teach professional and graduate students while demonstrating the finesse of how to be an effective educator. Dr. Band allowed me to help develop new programs such as the Teaching Track Ph.D. Program and master’s program in medical anatomy. I have been so fortunate over the years to have the guidance of so many bright and enthusiastic people; their support has been instrumental in shaping my career and allowing me the opportunity to in turn support the next generation of educators, clinicians and researchers.

Location set

The Impact in Education Awards ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. Jan. 11 at a the Durham Research Center Auditorium, with a reception to follow.

Describe your proudest moment as an educator.
As an educator, one of the best feelings is knowing that what you have taught someone will play a role in shaping who they become. There is nothing more satisfying than watching my students succeed, achieve their goals and continue to keep challenging themselves. It is especially gratifying when months to even decades later, I get a call or a note from a previous student to share their successes with me. It is the best form of motivation to continue to strive to be the best educator possible.

What advice would you give other faculty members who want to have an impact in education?
I feel that the fundamental principles that have molded my style are passion for teaching, a love of the subject, feeling pride in watching others grow and succeed, and continuously striving to do better. I have tried to approach each class and student with sincerity and humility. My aim is to determine what specific skills each environment or person needs and how to best adapt to the situation.

Do you have a favorite quote or philosophy on teaching?
My favorite quote is from Ancient Indian scriptures. The original Sanskrit version reads as “Shishyaat Icchet Paraajayaat,” meaning the “best teacher desires him/herself to be defeated by his/her students.”

34 comments

  1. Jenny Mobley says:

    Congratulations Dr. Joshi!!!

  2. Paras Kumar Mishra says:

    Congratulations. You deserve it.

  3. Karuna Rasineni says:

    Congratulations Dr. Joshi

  4. Koren Mann says:

    Congratulations Dr. Joshi! You've been a great mentor to me!

  5. V T Ramakrishnan says:

    Congrats Shantaram from one outside the UNMC circle.
    V T Ramakrishnan

  6. Rae Witt says:

    Congrats Dr. Joshi – this is such a well-deserved honor! You were a wonderful mentor to me and I know you have touched countless other trainees!! Rae Witt (Rohlfsen)

  7. Kollira Somanna says:

    Congratulations Joshi sir

  8. Samuel J. Pirruccello says:

    Joshi,
    A well deserved honor. It's been my great pleasure to be your colleague and to be given the opportunity to serve on several of your student's committees. You are a kind and generous educator and person. My hat is off to you!!
    Sam

  9. Ashish Thakur says:

    Congratulations Dr. Joshi!!
    Ashish

  10. Graham Sharp says:

    Congratulations. Recognition for a great deal of hard work and effort.

  11. Peter Iwen says:

    Dr. Joshi, congratulations and well deserved!!! UNMC is fortunate to have you as a faculty educator…..Pete

  12. Saralyn Fisher says:

    Congratulations Dr. Joshi. It is well deserved.

  13. Nagendra Chaturvedi says:

    Many Congratulations Dr. Joshi. I am so thankful to have you as a mentor. You are a wonderful teacher, mentor, and friend to me.

  14. Naveen says:

    Congratulations Dr Joshi !

  15. Peter F. Coccia says:

    Joshi: Well deserved. Also thank you for your outstanding service on the COM Promotion & Tenure committee among the many services you have provided the UNMC community. PETER

  16. Tom O'Connor says:

    Congrats Dr. Joshi. You are a class act. Great to see you get this recognition.

  17. Tej Adidam says:

    Hearty congratulations Dr. Joshi! Very well deserved recognition.

  18. Prema Rao says:

    Hearty congratulations!
    Prema Rao

  19. U.S. Rao says:

    Namaste Dr. Joshi. I have no idea of this award. I assume, UNMC gives a check which you can use to throw a party!
    Dr. U.S. Rao

  20. Sivakumar shanmugam says:

    Congratulations Dr.Joshi Sir

  21. Jagdish Nijhawan says:

    Congratulations on inspirational mentor of educators Award! A proud moment for your family and friends !
    Nijhawans

  22. Nicholas Heimann says:

    He was good!

  23. Ravi Tella says:

    Congrats Dr Joshi on this proud achievement !!!

  24. Anil Dubey says:

    Congratulations Dr Joshi! Very proud of you!
    Dr Anil Dubey

  25. Samar Gogoi says:

    This a very proud moment for all of us. Congratulations Dr. Joshi.

  26. Bob Wickert says:

    Congratulations Dr. Joshi! I liked the quote you referenced. Thanks for the example you've set for all of us!

  27. Clarence Ueda says:

    Congratulations, Dr. Joshi! The honor and recognition are both well deserved. You are a quiet, inspirational educator!

  28. Elan Krishnaswamy says:

    Congratulations Dr. Joshi! This is a Well-deserved Honor for your outstanding contribution to Education and Research! Your Passion for Excellence, Sincerity in Educating/Mentoring, Noble Humility, Happiness in enabling/watching others to succeed are the true hallmarks of a Great Teacher!

    And your favorite quote says it all – "best teacher desires him/herself to be defeated by his/her students." You are a true inspiration to all of us! – Elan Krishnaswamy.

  29. Sree & Ambika Nair says:

    Dear Dr. Joshi:

    It is a success you
    truly deserved. It is an
    achievement you have truly earned.
    we congratulate you on your
    academic success and wish you
    all the best for your future.
    You have also achieved recognition
    outside the UNMC also.
    Well done. God Bless you.

    Sree & Ambika Nair

  30. Sriramamurthy Ravipati says:

    Dr.Joshi,

    Congratulations on your recognition of your skills that have motivated so many of your students . Your humbleness and sincerity in life is a holy example for one and all . We are very proud of your accomplishments.
    Sudha and I wish you the best . Congrats .

  31. Nagendra Hegde says:

    Congratulations Dr. Joshi. Although I have not had the chance to be your student, the mere recognition speaks a lot. You were a family when we were away from our families, and we cherish the kindness from all of you.
    Nagendra Hegde

  32. Murali Deshpande says:

    Congratulations Dr. Joshi on well-deserved recognition. We always appreciate your enthusiasm and commitment to all that you do including teaching. We are proud of you. Regards, Murali Deshpande

  33. Krishna Gundabolu says:

    Congratulations Dr. Joshi!
    Your commitment and enthusiasm for teaching is unparalleled.

  34. Ganapati Hegde says:

    Dear Dr. Joshi,
    Congratulation for receiving this well deserved recognition. I am fortunate that I got an opportunity to do postdoc in your lab. Your exceptional mentorship was foundation for my oncology research career. Thank you and your wife, for all the help to me and my family. We are always grateful to you.
    Sincerely,
    Ganapati Hegde

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