MIT Honors Two Professors for Exceptional Postdoctoral Mentorship in Science

The MIT Postdoctoral Association has awarded its fourth annual Excellence in Postdoctoral Mentoring Awards. Professors John Marshall and Erin Kara received the honours at the Postdoctoral Appreciation event on 17 September. The awards recognise outstanding faculty who support and guide their mentees in professional development. The awards were presented in two categories: 'Established Mentor' and 'Early Career Mentor'. John Marshall won the 'Established Mentor Award' for his enthusiasm, high expectations, and generous support for his mentees. His research group studies ocean circulation and climate dynamics, focusing on interactions between different scales of motion.

Erin Kara received the 'Early Career Mentor Award' for her tailored advice, encouragement of independence, and holistic approach to mentoring. Her research team investigates the physics of black hole growth and their environmental impact using X-ray reverberation mapping.

Both awards highlight mentors who create supportive work environments, offer career guidance, and maintain professional relationships. The selection process was overseen by an MIT Postdoctoral Association committee alongside the Office of the Vice President for Research. The event celebrated the contributions of Marshall and Kara to their fields and their mentees. Their approaches—empowering responsibility in Marshall’s case and fostering individual growth in Kara’s—were central to their recognition. The awards underscore the importance of strong mentorship in advancing scientific research.