Graduate Studies and Graduate Council are pleased to present awards for outstanding mentoring of graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. The Distinguished Graduate and Postdoctoral Mentorship Awards recognize the vital role mentoring plays in the academic and professional development of graduate students and postdoctoral scholars at UC Davis. A letter of recognition and $1,000 will be conferred to each awardee.  

Congratulations to the following recipients:

• Paul Hastings, Professor, Department of Psychology
• Thomas Hahn, Professor, Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior
• Rachael Goodhue, Professor, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics
• Wolf-Dietrich Heyer, Professor, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics 

2022 Honorable Mentions for Outstanding Mentorship

Graduate Studies and the Graduate Council received many outstanding nominations. They would also like to recognize the following individuals for specific areas of excellence in mentorship:

• Robert Bayley, Professor, Department of Linguistics, for the success of his apprenticeship model of mentoring. 
• John Owens, Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, for support of student integration with industry and career success.
• David Begun, Professor, Department of Evolution and Ecology, for support of students throughout their career path.
• Georgia Drakakaki, Professor, Department of Plant Sciences, for the development of a program supporting graduate student well-being and mental health.

As mentorship represents one of Graduate Studies’ top strategic initiatives, Graduate Studies is committed to showcasing and promoting positive mentoring experiences. These faculty member’s efforts exemplify outstanding service in mentorship for our campus. 

The quotes below highlight the impact of the Distinguished Graduate and Postdoctoral Scholar Mentoring Award recipients on graduate education.

Paul Hastings, Professor, Department of Psychology

“Paul’s mentorship has continuously reinforced my professional goals and aspirations through a fine balance between promoting my independence and providing constructive feedback to foster my skill development. This has ultimately allowed me to grow as a graduate student in unprecedented ways by encouraging me to ask the questions and pursue the projects by which I would normally be intimidated.” - Ryan Hodge, Ph.D. Student in Human Development

Thomas Hahn, Professor, Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior

“Dr.Hahn’s mentorship goes beyond our research projects. He is deeply committed to supporting students as people, and has been a resource during professional and personal challenges that inevitably come up during graduate school.” - Dr. Hahn’s Nomination Committee 

Rachael Goodhue, Professor, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics

“She inspired me with her leadership in the university and profession and encouraged me to take on leadership roles myself. I honestly doubt I would be an academic today if it weren’t for Rachael's guidance, mentorship, encouragement, and support.” – Zoë Plakias, Ph.D., ‘16, Former Mentee, Assistant Professor, Ohio State University 

Wolf-Dietrich Heyer, Professor, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics 

“Wolf was a patient and empathetic supporter…taking time to hear my concerns as to how the pandemic was affecting my research progress and also me personally…this demonstrates that Dr. Heyer is sensitive to the needs of all his trainees, and adjusted his mentorship style to give me the help that I needed during this trying time.” – Diedre Reitz, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Research Fellow 

Graduate Studies offers a variety of mentoring initiatives and programs in support of the significant role mentoring plays in student and postdoctoral success. Our initiatives serve to develop an even greater culture of graduate student mentoring on campus and the mentoring award recipients’ work has been a vital contribution to these efforts. Visit our mentoring website to learn more about these initiatives and get involved.