Mentorship in Research and the Lasting Impact of a Strong PhD Advisor

The Role of a PhD Advisor: A Lifelong Investment

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of attending one of the Professional Standards for Mentorship and Education (PSME) Committee meetings in our department (chaired by Dr. Julie Claycomb). In our meeting, we had great discussions about mentorship, teaching PhD students how to write, helping them prioritize tasks, empowering them to create, and inspiring them to invent.

Over the past three years, I’ve come to realize how much a good advisor can shape a PhD journey. They give us space to fail without fear, to ask the questions that feel too big to tackle and to push ourselves beyond what we thought we were capable of. A PhD is not a linear path; there are months, sometimes years, where nothing seems to work. Experiments fail, hypotheses collapse, and the weight of uncertainty can feel overwhelming. This is where great mentorship makes all the difference. A true mentor guides us through the technical side of research while also helping us navigate the emotional and intellectual hurdles that come with being a scientist.  

Reflecting on these conversations, I wanted to capture the student perspective—what we, as PhD students, truly need in an advisor to thrive. With input from students in our department, I’ve summarized these key points in this article.

Preparing the Trainees for a Future in Science and Beyond

An important yet often overlooked aspect of mentorship is teaching students how to navigate professional interactions within academia. Writing a thoughtful email, reaching out to potential collaborators, networking at conferences, these are skills that determine how successfully we integrate into the scientific community.

The best mentors take the time to teach their students how to communicate professionally, how to advocate for themselves, and how to foster meaningful academic relationships. They encourage students to step outside their immediate research circles, helping them connect with professionals who can shape their careers beyond the lab. More importantly, they acknowledge that not all PhD students will stay in academia, and that's okay.

True mentorship means supporting students in finding their own paths, whether that leads to a faculty position, industry, science policy, communication, or an entirely different field. Great advisors do not try to fit students into a single mold; they help them recognize their own strengths, their own passions, and the many ways they can make a difference in the world beyond their PhD.

Motivating PhD Students Through Emotional Support and Encouragement

Motivation in a PhD program is deeply tied to emotional support, encouragement, and a sense of belonging. A great mentor recognizes that students are not just researchers but people navigating an intense and often uncertain period in their lives. Small gestures such as checking in on a student's well-being, validating their struggles, and offering words of encouragement, can have a lasting impact on their confidence and motivation. Advisors who make time for their students, not just for research discussions but for casual conversations, build a foundation of trust. A simple "How are you doing?" or "I understand this experiment has been frustrating, but you are smart, and I know you will figure it out" can transform how a student approaches challenges.

When students feel supported, they are more likely to take risks, think creatively, and persist through difficult challenges. Another critical aspect of motivation is helping students prioritize. PhD students often juggle multiple responsibilities, from research to teaching to conference deadlines. A thoughtful mentor guides students in identifying what truly matters for their career growth, helping them focus on meaningful tasks rather than feeling overwhelmed by everything at once. Providing structure, breaking big goals into manageable steps, and setting realistic timelines ensures that students stay motivated without burning out.

Recognizing achievements, no matter how small, also plays a role. Whether it is a successfully optimized protocol, a well-received conference talk, or even just surviving a tough committee meeting, acknowledging these wins helps students stay engaged. Additionally, publicly praising a student's progress, nominating them for awards, and celebrating their successes boosts their confidence and reminds them that their work matters.

Supporting Students Beyond Research

Supervision is more than guiding students through experiments and publications; it is about supporting them as whole individuals. A great advisor takes the time to understand their students beyond their research output, recognizing that each person has different strengths, struggles, and ways of processing feedback. Some students thrive on direct, critical evaluation, while others need a more measured, constructive approach.

A strong mentor learns how each student best absorbs feedback and adapts accordingly. Additionally, emotional support is a key but often underappreciated element of good mentorship. Graduate school is difficult. Life happens—family emergencies, personal struggles, burnout. The best advisors acknowledge this and create an environment where students feel valued as people, not just as researchers. Checking in, showing interest in a student's well-being, and simply treating them with kindness and respect can make all the difference in their academic journey.

Changing the Narrative

PhD training is more than mastering techniques or generating results; it is about becoming part of a larger scientific community, finding our voice, and making meaningful contributions. The right mentorship equips us for the next step in our careers while also inspiring us to pay it forward. Science does not thrive in isolation, nor does it progress through exploitation. It moves forward when students are supported, empowered, and given the tools to grow into the next generation of leaders. The best mentors understand that their legacy is not in the papers they publish, but in the people they help shape. And that is what truly drives scientific progress forward. 

Author’s note: