Excellence in Postdoctoral Mentoring Award Recipients

Dr. Clayton Morrison is an Associate Professor in the College of Information at the University of Arizona, and faculty member of the Statistics and Data Science and Cognitive Science Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs. Dr. Morrison is also a Principal Scientist at Lum AI. Before coming to University of Arizona, he was a Research Scientist at the USC Information Sciences Institute. Dr. Morrison completed his PhD in Philosophy at Binghamton University and a Master's Degree in Computer Science from the University of Massachussetts. He has more than 25 years of experience working in machine learning and artificial intelligence. Dr. Morrison's research is aimed at developing AI tools for supporting large scale science, where he builds systems for extracting human and computer interpretable scientific models from text, software and equations. Dr. Morrison's research is funded by DARPA and NSF.

Dr. Dlugosch, an Associate Professor in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, was nominated for this award by two postdocs who have been encouraged by Dr. Dlugosch to work collaboratively: “Dr. Dlugosch acts as a research backbone whose mentorship strategy allows her postdoctoral research associate to build off her research vision to design projects that are more innovative when we work together than if we were to work separately.” The postdocs express high praise for all aspects of Dr. Dlugosch’s mentorship. In their words, “She encourages our growth and creativity, teaches us new skills, provides excellent feedback, and is committed to our success.”

Dr. Meredith, an Assistant Professor in the School of Natural Resources and Environment, was nominated for this award by a group of enthusiastic postdocs who praised her creative approach to helping postdocs develop their research skills, intellectual leadership, and ability to establish a nurturing, supportive training environment that allows her mentees to do their best work and develop independent careers. In their words, “Dr. Meredith, is a true mentor; she makes us feel heard, seen, and supported while not just advancing her own career, but helping us to progress our career tracks as well.”

Dr. Koenraad Van Doorslaer, Assistant Professor in the School of Animal & Comparative Biomedical Sciences, received the Excellence in Postdoctoral Mentoring Award for his outstanding leadership and commitment to professional development. With cross-appointments at the BIO5 Institute and in Immunobiology and Cancer Biology, he is widely respected for fostering independence, offering constructive feedback, and creating a supportive, intellectually rich environment. His creation of Mentorship Committees has expanded postdoc support and networking opportunities. Praised as a role model and empathetic mentor, Dr. Van Doorslaer is known for empowering his mentees and guiding them toward successful, impactful research careers.

Dr. George E. Gehrels, University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Geosciences, is celebrated for his exceptional mentorship and innovative research. Overseeing a team of about 20 researchers, he is known for his availability, thoughtful feedback, and commitment to supporting each mentee’s growth. Dr. Gehrels promotes diversity in geosciences, with over half of his lab members in the past five years being women or people of color. His mentorship fosters both scientific excellence and professional development, emphasizing technical skills, teaching, and collaboration. Mentees value his ability to inspire while maintaining high standards, preparing them for successful academic careers.