I agree to assign the graduate student a personalized project for his/her thesis dissertation. I will avoid sharing projects amongst graduate students and other laboratory members to ensure that my student can grow as an independent researcher. I will avoid splitting the graduate student among too many unrelated projects that may detract from the primary goal of the graduate student, to complete their dissertation work.
I am dedicated to the success of the long-term career of the graduate student. I will be committed to the education and training of the graduate student as a future member of the scientific community.
I am committed to the research project of the graduate student. I will help to plan and direct the graduate student’s project, set reasonable and attainable goals, and establish a timeline for completion of the project. I recognize the possibility of conflicts between the interests of externally funded research programs and those of the graduate student and I will work to minimize any interference with the student’s pursuit of his/her thesis/dissertation research.
I agree to meeting one-on-one with the student on a regular basis. These meetings can follow the open-door policy or a scheduled appointment. Mentors should meet with their students a minimum of twice a month. Students will also discuss with the mentor anticipated publication, anticipated meeting attendance, expected year of graduation, career goals and other research activity, class, or training needed before next job. I will review the student’s IDP annually to ensure that we are progressing towards the student’s goals for the future.
I am committed to creating an environment in which the student can discuss and explore career opportunities and paths that match their skills, values, and interests and be supportive of their career path choices. I will be open to discuss all career and professional goals with the student, and I will not try to persuade the student to only pursue a particular career that I solely see fit for him/her.
I am committed to providing financial resources, as appropriate or according to my institution’s guidelines, in order for the graduate student to conduct thesis/dissertation research. If my student wishes to apply for external funding by pursuing competitive grants, fellowships or scholarships, I will facilitate the application and write the mentor section of the fellowship.
I will be knowledgeable of and guide the graduate student through the requirements and deadlines of his/her graduate program, as well as those of the institution, including teaching requirements and human resources guidelines. I will not impede the graduate student’s growth or deadlines for my personal gain. I will respect the graduate students needs to attend classes, study for exams, and work on program-related activities that may interfere with productivity in the lab
I am willing to help the graduate student select a thesis/dissertation committee with full understanding that the final choice belongs to the graduate student. I will assure that this committee meets at least annually (or more frequently, according to program guidelines) to review the graduate student’s progress and future directions. I understand that the function of this committee is to help the student complete the doctoral research, and I will respect the ideas and suggestions of my colleagues on the committee.
I am committed to promoting the training of the graduate student in the professional skills needed for a successful career. These skills include, but are not limited to, oral and written communication, grant writing, management and leadership, collaborative research, responsible conduct of research, teaching, and mentoring. I will encourage the student to seek opportunities to develop skills in other areas, even if these opportunities are not specifically required by the student’s program. I will also encourage the graduate student to seek input from multiple mentors.
I will expect the graduate student to share common laboratory responsibilities and utilize resources carefully and frugally. I will ensure the graduate student has the tools and equipment 9 needed to carry out experiments.
I agree to not force the graduate student to perform tasks that are unrelated to his/her training program and professional development. I will only request that students learn and implement techniques that are within the scope and time frame of their thesis project.
I will abide by the Authorship Policy of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and will discuss authorship policies regarding papers with the graduate student. I will acknowledge the graduate student’s scientific contributions to the work in my laboratory, and I will work with the graduate student to publish his/her work in a timely manner prior to the student’s graduation. I will be transparent with the graduate student about authorship and scientific contributions for research papers, oral/poster presentations, or other scientific materials. Any changes in authorship must be discussed with all parties involved in the manuscript (i.e. persons who contributed to the conception of ideas, editing of manuscript, experiments performed, etc.) and discussed with an unbiased third party (such as the ombudsperson) if there should be any conflict.
I agree to discuss intellectual policy issues with the student with regard to disclosure, patent rights and publishing research discoveries.
I pledge to encourage the graduate student to attend at least one scientific/professional meeting a year and make an effort to secure and facilitate funding for such activities.
I agree to provide career advice and be supportive/assist in finding a position for the graduate student following his/her graduation. I will provide honest letters of recommendation for his/her next phase of professional development. I will also be accessible to give advice and feedback on career goals.
I am committed to providing for every graduate student under my supervision an environment that is intellectually stimulating, emotionally supportive, safe, and free of harassment. I will allow the student to go to a physician and/or counseling during working 10 hours, if needed, understanding that UM health and counseling hours overlap with time expected to be in the laboratory. I understand that UM graduate students must use the Coral Gables health facility for all related medical or counseling appointments, which will influence overall time of absence, and I understand UM student clinics only provide weekday appointments.
Throughout the graduate student’s time in my laboratory, I pledge to be supportive, equitable, accessible, encouraging, and respectful. I will foster in the graduate students professional confidence and encourage critical thinking, skepticism and creativity. I will be respectful of the student’s personal holidays and abide by the institution’s designated holidays. I will demonstrate respect for all graduate students as individuals without regard to gender, race, national origin, religion, disability or sexual orientation, and I will cultivate a culture of tolerance among the entire laboratory.
I acknowledge that I cannot make working on the following holidays mandatory, per University rules, the student may work on these holidays only by choice.
I acknowledge that I cannot make working on the following holidays mandatory, per University rules, the student may work on these holidays only by choice.
Fall Semester
Labor Day (first Monday of September)
Thanksgiving Holiday (fourth Thursday and Friday of November)
December Holidays (December 24th and 25th)
New Year’s (December 31st and January 1st)
Spring/Summer Semester
Martin Luther King Jr. (third Monday of January)
Spring Recess (one week in March; highly recommended to ask permission)
