Milestones and Momentum: The Committee for Scientific Training and Mentoring’s Year in Review
2024 was an exceptional year for the Danforth Center’s Committee for Scientific Training and Mentoring (CSTM). From events that brought scientists together to awards that created new opportunities for recognition, CSTM successfully honored standout scientists, encouraged growth, and fostered community. These efforts were led by CSTM Co-chairs Graduate Student Seth Edwards, Senior Research Technician Myia Elliott, Postdoctoral Associate Vanessica Jawahir, Graduate Student Lily O’Connor, and Data Scientist Dhiraj Srivastava.
From left to right, the 2024 CSTM leadership team: Senior Research Technician Myia Elliott, Graduate Student Lily O’Connor, Graduate Student Seth Edwards, Data Scientist Dhiraj Srivastava, and Postdoctoral Associate Vanessica Jawahir
Awards and Recognition
CSTM also made it a priority to support members of our scientific community and celebrate their achievements. In 2024, 31 professional development awards totaling more than $18,000, were provided enabling community members to attend scientific conferences or acquire new career skills. New for 2024, each month a scientist was nominated by peers and honored as the CSTM Member of the Month. Additionally, CSTM worked closely with People & Culture as they announced new pathways to scientific promotion within the Danforth center.
In 2024, four new faculty-nominated awards were created, giving outstanding scientists the chance to be recognized by our scientific leadership. The four awards and their recipients were:
- Outstanding Mentor Award | Research Associate Max Braud
- Passion in Science Award | Graduate Student Lily O’Connor
- Driving Progress Award | Administrative Lab & Support Manager Rebecca Bindbeutel
- Collaboration Excellence Award | Administrative Laboratory Manager Leonardo Chavez
CSTM Events by the Numbers
2024 saw fresh new ideas for scientific events and the return of some old favorites. Here are some of the highlights by the numbers:
- CSTM’s annual BioBash career fair hosted more than 250 attendees from the Danforth Center community and beyond, and featured two panel discussions, four workshops, and 11 booths offering job opportunities.
- A Lab Olympics event was held in celebration of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. 18 teams and 90 Danforth Center community members participated in lab-research-themed competitions.
- The Responsible Conduct in Research Committee, which supports ethical research conduct, held seven educational events this year.
- Five workshops were held:
Beyond the Bench: Mastering Science Communication
The Art of Negotiatin
Resume Essentials
Grad School Applications 101
Ace the Interview
- Three panel discussions were hosted:
LGBTQIA+ Inclusivity in the Workplace
Academia vs. Industry
Diverse Jobs in Biology
CSTM members celebrate honorees, newly elected leadership, and a successful year at a happy hour following their 2024 Town Hall.
New Leadership for 2025
CSTM is looking forward to a promising 2025. With the new year comes new CSTM leadership as the committee undergoes its annual rotation. Elected by the Danforth Center community, the 2025 leadership team is pictured below.
