Community Impact UConn Health University News

August 8, 2023 | Lauren Woods - Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine

The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering at UConn Selects Four Presidential M1 Mentorship Program Awardees

“I am pleased to welcome the 2023 cohort of Presidential M1 Mentors, comprised of a distinguished group of faculty across UConn and UConn Health. Mentorship is fundamental for student success, and it stands as one of the pillars of our Institute," says University Professor Dr. Cato T. Laurencin.

The 2023 Presidential M1 Mentorship Program Awardees at UConn and UConn Health are Jenna Bartley, Ph. D.; Kristin Morgan, Ph.D.; Mu-Ping Nieh, Ph.D.; and Gualberto Ruaño, M.D., Ph.D.

The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering at UConn, in conjunction with the Office of the Provost, has selected the 2023 Presidential M1 Mentorship Program Awardees. The program aims to create a national model for best practices in the mentorship of underrepresented students and faculty in the sciences, engineering and biomedicine.

This year’s Presidential M1 Mentorship Program Awardees from UConn and UConn Health are:

  • Jenna Bartley, Ph. D., assistant professor, UConn Center on Aging and Department of Immunology,
  • Kristin Morgan, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering,
  • Mu-Ping Nieh, Ph.D., professor, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering,
  • Gualberto Ruaño, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Psychiatry; assistant director, Special Projects, The Cato T. Laurencin Institute.

Each M1 Mentor possesses high caliber mentoring experience, a commitment to engage and retain underrepresented individuals along the biomedical, engineering and science pipeline, and a record of success in securing research funding. In addition, each M1 Mentor provides direct mentorship to the Young Innovative Investigator Program (YIIP). YIIP is a program founded by The Cato T. Laurencin Institute that focuses on the development and diversification of the next generation of biomedical scientists, engineers and medical practitioners. M1 mentors maintain effective communication through regular mentee interactions to promote the professional development of their mentees. A true bi-directional learning experience between mentor and mentee can create powerful learning and development experiences.

“I am pleased to welcome the 2023 cohort of Presidential M1 Mentors, comprised of a distinguished group of faculty across UConn and UConn Health. Mentorship is fundamental for student success, and it stands as one of the pillars of our Institute. I look forward to the positive impact these mentors will have on the UConn community,” says Laurencin, University Professor and Chief Executive Officer of The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering at UConn.

Laurencin adds: “I am particularly grateful to our extraordinary leaders, President Radenka Maric and Provost Anne D’Alleva for their support of the program.”