Outstanding Mentor Award

Midwest D-CFAR Outstanding Mentor Award

Do you know someone who has shaped an early-career HIV investigator's path? The Midwest D-CFAR Outstanding Mentor Award honors individuals who demonstrate exemplary scientific and career mentorship to early-career HIV investigators at WashU, SLU, and HSSU.

Instructions and tips for nominating your research mentor are below.

Award Criteria

While the following criteria are not exhaustive in demonstrating excellence in mentorship, the selection committee typically considers the mentor's ability to advance an early-career HIV investigator's development, including whether they:

• Meet regularly and make themselves available for support and supervision

• Guide research projects and manuscripts, and help build the skills to advance the work

• Connect investigators to broader research communities

• Champion their success in fellowship, professional organization, and career applications

• Show genuine interest in their mentees' research and career goals

• Foster a sense of belonging and a culture of inclusion within the HIV research community

Nomination Process

Nominations are welcome from anyone familiar with the nominee's mentorship — mentees, colleagues, or collaborators. Nominators must complete the nomination form, which includes outlining the qualities that make the nominee deserving of the award. If you were mentored by the nominee, you're welcome to answer from your own experience.

Strong nominations answer questions such as:

1. How has the nominee supported the research or career development of the investigator(s) they mentor?

2. How has the nominee shaped their mentees' research and professional pathways — including opportunities to share their work, networking, and similar experiences?

3. How has the nominee fostered a sense of belonging and contributed to a culture of inclusion within HIV research at WashU, SLU, or HSSU?

Nominations take about five minutes to complete.

Submit using Nomination Form