How did you feel when you found out that you received the award?

I was both surprised and deeply honoured. Mentorship has always felt like a natural extension of being part of a supportive community, so to be recognized with the Neil Mackenzie Mentorship Excellence Award was incredibly meaningful. It reminded me that the small, everyday acts of encouragement, listening, and sharing knowledge can have a real impact on the people around us.

How would you describe your mentorship style?

I don’t really think of mentorship in terms of a mentor–mentee hierarchy. To me, it’s about friendship. My approach is collaborative and rooted in mutual learning — I try to create an environment where people feel comfortable asking questions, trying new things, and admitting when they don’t know something (myself included). I believe science is at its best when we can share openly, celebrate each other’s successes, and be honest about the challenges.

Can you share a couple mentors who have greatly influenced your scientific journey?

I’ve been fortunate to have many mentors who have shaped my path in different ways. From my current PI, Hong Ma, I’ve learned how to think critically and approach problems with clarity. My PhD supervisor, Katalin Wilkinson, was not only a mentor but also a friend, and she taught me the importance of patience — both with myself and with others — as well as the value of persistence in research. From Robert Wilkinson, I learned how to work effectively with collaborators and how to present science in a clear, compelling way — skills that continue to shape how I share and communicate research.

Beyond formal mentorship, I’ve also been mentored by friends and colleagues who offered support simply by being there. Whether it was talking through ideas over coffee, sharing encouragement after a failed experiment, or celebrating the small wins together, these friendships have been just as influential as traditional mentorship. They’ve shown me that guidance doesn’t always come from structured advice — sometimes it comes from kindness, camaraderie, and the simple act of showing up for each other.

More than specific advice, what has stayed with me from all these experiences is the generosity of people’s time and the way they led by example — showing me that mentorship is about showing up with empathy, encouragement, and integrity.

What’s your biggest challenge as a mentor?

The biggest challenge is recognizing that each person needs something different. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to mentorship. Some people thrive with lots of structure, others prefer independence; some need a sounding board, others need gentle nudges. Striking that balance — supporting without overstepping, guiding without directing — can be difficult, but it’s also what makes mentorship meaningful.

What’s your favorite part or the most rewarding part of mentorship?

The most rewarding part is seeing people grow into their own confidence — watching them take ownership of their ideas, solve problems in new ways, or support someone else in turn. Those moments remind me why I love mentorship. It’s not about what I can pass down, but about what we build together: a community where no one feels like they have to figure everything out alone.

Congratulations to Dr. Kerryn Matthews and all our nominees! The CBR is incredibly fortunate to have mentors in our community who uplift their peers, share insights, and build a positive learning culture, inside and outside of the lab.

This year, we received nominations for 8 different mentors: Kevin Gonzalez, Dr. KB Choi, Dr. Michael Sutherland, Nooshin Safikhan, Lynn Huang, Dr. Tiffany Carlaw, and Zarbaab Feroze.

Special thanks to everyone who took the time to write a nomination – we greatly appreciate the effort and thoughtfulness you took to recognize your mentors.

About the Neil Mackenzie Mentorship Excellence Award

Dr. Neil Mackenzie was a Postdoctoral Fellow in Dr. Brömme’s lab at the CBR. Neil was a dedicated and caring mentor whose encouraging and motivating words and actions were sincerely appreciated by all those whom he touched – colleagues, friends, and students. He tragically passed away in a climbing accident at Joffre Peak on Sunday, January 11, 2015

In Neil’s memory, each year CBR recognizes an individual who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to mentorship and the development of others through the Neil Mackenzie Mentorship Excellence Award. CBR members have the opportunity to nominate their mentors for the award, and the recipient is announced at CBR Research Day in August.

To honour his legacy, you can make an impact by donating to the Neil Mackenzie in Memoriam Fund.