Ryan Hiebert, Maryam Khalil, Ruilin Wu, Rupal Hatkar and Siobhan Wilson, Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology

Ryan Hiebert, MSc Candidate
Maryam Khalil, PhD Candidate
Ruilin Wu, PhD Candidate
Rupal Hatkar, PhD Candidate
Siobhan Wilson, MSc Candidate

The LMP Peer-to-Peer, and Alumni-to-Peer Mentorship Programs are managed by the Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology Mentorship Council (LMPMC). This is a working group comprised of students and staff within the department of LMP. Together they have been able to offer meaningful professional development opportunities to the graduate students of LMP who are looking to explore the next steps in their career development.

By establishing a third-party digital platform, the LMPMC has designed engaging programs which are meant to enrich the overall graduate student experience within LMP. These mentorship programs enable current graduate students to connect with a robust network of peers and alumni with diverse skill sets so they can build a strong support structure within their field of study and learn how to succeed in and after graduate school. 

The student leaders involved with the LMPMC are Ryan Hiebert, Maryam Khalil, Ruilin Wu, Rupal Hatkar, and Siobhan Wilson. Along with graduate students the LMP administration, which includes Jenni Bozec, Brandon Wells, and Ian Marquez, also played a vital role in the success of the program. Together the students and staff played an integral role in developing program curriculum, constructing the virtual platform, and driving engagement through networking and social event planning.

The student leaders of the LMPMC believe that graduate school should not only provide students with the academic rigor required to succeed within academia, but also augment the development of transferable skills that can be leveraged within many different career trajectories. The refinement of professional skills that can be leveraged in a diverse set of industries will inevitably provide graduate students with the opportunities to succeed in whatever career they choose. LMPMC recognizes the importance of developing a strong network during graduate school and how impactful it can be for students down the road. Every member of the LMPMC has been profoundly impacted by the mentorship in their lives and it has inspired them to foster meaningful mentorship experiences within their own community. By gathering community feedback, the LMPMC has been able to galvanize student participation and their leadership philosophy reflects a strong desire to make decisions based on the students they are trying to serve. Through collaborating with staff, faculty, and other student groups, the student leaders at the LMPMC strive to provide an inclusive and engaging mentorship ecosystem that bolsters the opportunities to all graduate students at LMP after graduation.