Michael Brattain, Ph.D., professor and associate director for basic research in the Eppley Institute, is one of two UNMC faculty members who will receive Outstanding Mentor of Graduate Students Awards at today’s Annual Faculty meeting.
Below, Dr. Brattain reflects on what it means to mentor graduate students.
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| Michael Brattain, Ph.D., left, is among two faculty members who will be honored at the annual faculty meeting for outstanding mentorship of graduate students. |
- Name: Michael Brattain, Ph.D.
- Title: Professor and associate director of the Eppley Cancer Institute
- Joined UNMC: June 2007
- Hometown: Ponca City, Okla.
How many graduate students do you work with?
There are currently seven Ph.D. students in my laboratory. Over the years, I have trained more than 30 Ph.D. students in my laboratory.
What are the greatest rewards of mentoring?
The greatest reward is the growth and success of their careers after graduation. Their success is a reflection of several aspects of the academic scientific lifestyle including teaching, high quality scientific research and mentoring.
Describe a moment when you realized your influence made a difference in someone’s career.
A moment that I have been lucky enough to experience several times during my career is the exuberant happiness shared by the student and mentor during a hug following the diploma presentation.
List three things few people know about you.
- I just learned how to text.
- I constantly fret that I am submitting papers and grants prematurely.
- I have never believed that my work is the most important thing in my life — it is the people.