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LIBIN LIFE
Mentorship matters Q&A with the Libin’s new education director
W
e sat down with Dr. Jennifer Thompson, PhD, the Libin Cardiovascular Institute’s new education director, to discuss her views on education and mentors and to hear her plans for the education portfolio at the Institute. How long have you been an educator? I began my teaching career while doing postdoctoral studies in the Vascular Biology Center at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. As an adjunct professor, I taught several undergraduate and graduate courses in the Kinesiology Department as well as in the Biological Sciences Department. My teaching experience was a nice complement to my research activities because it put me in a position to have a direct impact on students and help them achieve their potential. Why is education important to you? Trainees aren’t just driving the research of today, they will be the principal investigators and leaders of tomorrow.
To advance biomedical research in Canada, it is critically important to retain the strongest students and adequately train them to develop internationally competitive research programs. Why did you agree to take on this role? I am really excited about taking on the role of education director. I have always been passionate about education and am excited to contribute to the mission of the Libin Institute. What is your education philosophy? The biomedical research enterprise has evolved – there are higher expectations for collaborative, interdisciplinary and translational research as well as connecting to the broader community. We need to equip our trainees with the full complement of skills required to be successful in this new landscape. I believe this involves providing multilayered training that extends beyond the laboratory and positions trainees to apply their knowledge and skills to a variety of career trajectories.
