# 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.