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Researchers honored as outstanding mentors

The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs at Washington University in St. Louis presented outstanding mentor awards to James Stroud, PhD, Alexxai Kravitz, PhD, and John Russell, PhD, at the 17th annual Postdoc Symposium on March 21 at the Eric P. Newman Education Center on the Medical Campus.

Stroud, a postdoctoral research associate in biology, received the Outstanding Postdoc Mentor Award, which recognizes a postdoc, nominated by mentees, for his or her commitment to supporting undergraduate and graduate students on their scientific journeys. One of his mentees said Stroud has a unique capacity for mentorship and is perpetually eager to teach and learn from others.

Kravitz, an associate professor of psychiatry, was honored with the Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award, which recognizes a faculty member, nominated by postdoc mentees, who provides extra support and advocacy to help his or her postdocs achieve success. One of Kravitz’s mentees described him as an empathetic and understanding supervisor who gives priority to the well-being of his trainees and to their professional development.

Russell, a professor of developmental biology, received the Lifetime Achievement Award, a new honor that recognized Russell for his support of and advocacy for the university’s postdocs over the last two decades. He was honored for work that led to the establishment of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, the formation of the Washington University Postdoc Society and the advancement of policies to support the postdoctoral community.

Originally published on WUSM News.