Academics

Alexis Weiner honored with Graduate Student Excellence in Mentoring Award

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State doctoral student Alexis Weiner was awarded the Graduate Student Excellence in Mentoring Award during the annual Graduate Student Awards Luncheon held on April 11 at the Nittany Lion Inn.

The Graduate Student Excellence in Mentoring Award recognizes senior doctoral students for exemplary and effective mentoring of undergraduate and/or new or junior graduate students that contribute to the student’s personal growth, professional development and/or academic success.

Weiner is a doctoral student in the molecular, cellular and integrative biosciences program.

The qualities that define Weiner as an effective mentor appeared repeatedly in the letters of nomination. He was praised for teaching students how to conduct experiments and to think critically about their research, and described as someone who is willing to devote as much time as necessary to foster understanding and comprehension of course material and research strategies, both during and after class and lab periods.

Weiner developed a training program that is offered to each new undergraduate who joins his team.  The program includes a series of practical lessons designed to teach the basics of Drosophila genetics and live imaging of neurons. 

One student nominator wrote that Weiner is a great mentor because “he excels at the technical side of teaching — explaining methodology, critical thinking and hypothesis development” — and providing “the support needed to foster the personal growth of the students he mentors.”

Last Updated April 12, 2019