Scientific Mentor Responsibilities
Overview
MD-PhD students in the MSTP at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai pursue a rigorous dual-degree curriculum that integrates medical and research training. Once a student enters the PhD phase and joins a research lab (typically beginning July 1 of the G1 year), the scientific mentor assumes a critical role in guiding the trainee’s development as a physician-scientist. This includes responsibility not only for scientific and technical training, but also for supporting professional growth, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment, and enabling timely and successful completion of the PhD.
This policy outlines the expectations for faculty who serve as primary scientific mentors to MD-PhD trainees in the PhD phase of training.
Core Responsibilities
1. Complete Required Mentor Training
Faculty who serve as primary mentors to MSTP students must have completed institutional mentor training prior to official lab declaration.
Approved mentor training programs may include those offered by the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, or equivalent programs approved by MSTP leadership.
Mentor training is expected to address inclusive mentorship practices, alignment of expectations, effective communication, and conflict resolution.
Periodic updates or refresher trainings may be required for continued mentorship eligibility.
2. Create a Supportive and Inclusive Research Environment
Foster a respectful, inclusive, and harassment-free laboratory culture.
Establish expectations and norms for lab conduct, ideally documented in a written lab code of conduct shared with the student at the outset.
Uphold all institutional policies on research integrity, safety, and nondiscrimination.
3. Provide Rigorous Scientific Training
Offer hands-on training in research methods, data analysis, and critical interpretation of results.
Emphasize principles of rigor and reproducibility, including proper recordkeeping and presentation of raw data.
Support the student’s development of independence, creativity, and scientific reasoning.
4. Maintain Effective Communication
Meet regularly with the student to discuss research progress, troubleshoot challenges, and provide constructive feedback.
Initiate honest conversations to align expectations on timelines, work habits, authorship, and lab responsibilities.
Address any misalignment in partnership with MSTP leadership and the student’s advisory committee when needed.
5. Ensure Laboratory Safety and Compliance
Train the student in relevant biological, chemical, and radiation safety protocols prior to starting lab work.
Maintain documentation of completed safety training and hazard-specific modules (e.g., PEAK compliance).
Provide required personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensure proper usage.
6. Guide Academic and Professional Development
Assist in identifying relevant courses and seminars, and ensure completion of programmatic milestones including:
Formation of the Advisory Committee (by G1 Spring)
Thesis Proposal Exam (by June 30 of G1)
Annual submission of the Individual Development Plan (by March 1)
Regular Advisory Committee meetings (at least once per semester)
Encourage grant writing (e.g., F30/F31), presentation of research, and participation in professional development opportunities.
7. Promote Ethical Publication and Authorship
Support the student in producing a significant, publishable body of research.
Collaborate transparently on authorship decisions based on intellectual and experimental contributions.
Acknowledge MSTP support (NIH T32GM146636) in all publications and ensure PMC compliance.
8. Support Timely Degree Completion
Provide appropriate guidance on defining the scope of the dissertation and setting realistic timelines.
Engage actively in dissertation planning and support the transition back to clinical training.
Attend the annual MSTP re-entry meeting and help prepare the student for MD curriculum re-entry.
9. Financial Commitment
Upon the student’s official entry into the lab (typically July 1 of G1), assume responsibility for 75% of stipend, tuition, and health insurance until the end of G1.
Provide 100% of these costs from G2 until re-entry to the MD curriculum.
Demonstrate at least two years of secure funding at the time of lab declaration.
10. Respect Personal Time and Clinical Engagement
Support student vacation time (minimum two weeks annually), with additional flexibility for life events, parental leave, or professional opportunities.
Encourage students to maintain engagement in clinical, teaching, or service activities aligned with their long-term goals.
Approve and plan for absences in advance and ensure continuity of research efforts.
Ongoing Responsibilities
Mentors are expected to participate in regular program communications and trainings, respond to MSTP inquiries and advisory committee matters in a timely fashion, and notify MSTP leadership promptly if concerns arise regarding a trainee’s progress, conduct, or wellbeing.
Mentor removal
Faculty mentorship within the MD-PhD Program is a privilege that requires adherence to institutional and programmatic expectations. The MSTP reserves the right to revoke or suspend mentorship eligibility under the following circumstances:
Grounds for Removal or Suspension
Mentorship eligibility may be revoked or suspended if the mentor:
Fails to complete the required institutional or MSTP mentor training.
Does not uphold expectations of safe, inclusive, and respectful research environments.
Is the subject of substantiated complaints involving harassment, discrimination, research misconduct, or violations of institutional policies.
Repeatedly fails to support student progress, including missed Advisory Committee meetings, inadequate mentorship, or persistent misalignment without resolution.
Lacks sufficient funding to support the student’s stipend, tuition, and benefits as required.
Does not respond to communications or participate in required mentor events (e.g., re-entry meetings).
Violates authorship or research integrity standards that result in institutional action.
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