Dr. Stefanie Robel, associate professor in the UAB Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology (CDIB), is a recipient of the Landis Award for Outstanding Mentorship 2024.
This prestigious award is given to only five people annually by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and is named in honor of former NINDS Director Dr. Story Landis. Robel, who is the first UAB faculty member to receive this award, also received $100,000 to support efforts toward fostering the career advancement of trainees.
“Mentoring is a big part of our research mission at the UAB Heersink School of Medicine,” said Robel. “I’m honored to help shine a light on the quality of mentors we have here at UAB.”
The Landis Award for Outstanding Mentorship was established to emphasize how highly regarded mentorship is by NINDS. It aims to encourage faculty members to prioritize mentorship in their careers while also encouraging institutional leaders to promote and reward mentorship when evaluating academic success.
Robel’s approach to mentorship focuses on empowering mentees to reach their full potential through a framework focused on “People, Projects, and Productivity.” Her strategies include using project management tools to boost productivity, helping mentees identify research gaps, and organizing regular retreats. Robel also created a hands-on undergraduate curriculum and leads a book club on work-life balance, professional development, and more.
Robel has served as a life coach and founded a company that helps serve others. Her holistic approach fosters a “pay it forward” mindset in her mentees.
NINDS noted that they were impressed by Robel’s contributions and dedication as a mentor and clearly saw the impact of her work through submitted letters written by Robel’s trainees, many of which “reflected that they gained a deep appreciation of the value of good mentorship in a way that will no doubt influence many of them to become outstanding mentors themselves.”
“Dr. Robel exemplifies the values of exceptional mentorship and leadership that we prioritize at the Heersink School of Medicine,” said Bradley K. Yoder, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology. “Her innovative and holistic approach to mentoring not only empowers her trainees to excel but also inspires them to carry forward the importance of strong mentorship in their own careers. This recognition is a testament to her unwavering dedication and the positive impact she has had on so many lives.”