Siddappa Byrareddy, PhD, is a recipient of the UNMC Faculty Senate’s Outstanding Faculty Mentor of Graduate Students Award.
- Name: Siddappa Byrareddy, PhD
- Title: Professor and vice chair for research, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, UNMC College of Medicine
- Joined UNMC: 2016
- Hometown: Nagadenahalli, Karnataka, India
“I dedicate this award to all the present and past trainees of Dr. Byrareddy’s laboratory.”
What are the greatest rewards of mentoring graduate students?
The greatest reward in mentoring is witnessing the evolution of students or trainees towards independence and self-reliance. Observing them taking ownership of their projects and forging their scholarly identities is gratifying. Additionally, it’s fulfilling to play a role in fostering their personal and professional growth by assisting them in identifying their career aspirations and equipping them with the essential skills to realize these goals. Ultimately, witnessing their journey from naivety to becoming confident, fully developed individuals is immensely satisfying.
Describe a moment in your career when you realized you had picked the right profession.
Translating laboratory discoveries into clinical applications, particularly during significant events like the COVID-19 pandemic, has been rewarding. Witnessing how our team efforts have directly benefited individuals afflicted by diseases has been a profoundly meaningful experience. Seeing firsthand the impact of our research in enhancing public health and potentially saving lives has underscored the significance of our work and reaffirmed its value to society. Finally, efforts to mentor and impact future generations and see mentees succeed make me feel that “I have chosen the right profession.”
What are the biggest challenges you face as a mentor?
As a mentor, navigating the complexities of working with mentees from diverse backgrounds and cultural differences presents several challenges. Some of the key challenges include:
- Communication;
- Diverse student needs;
- Time management;
- Addressing imposter syndrome and self-confidence;
- Career guidance and transition; and
- Managing conflict or difficult situations.
How do you know when you’ve been successful as a mentor?
There are several ways I can think of, especially when my mentees graduate, solve hypotheses, publish groundbreaking papers or secure jobs and find success in whatever they decide to pursue in their lives. Additionally, it’s truly rewarding when mentees seek advice even after their formal mentoring period.
A big CONGRATULATIONS!
Congratulations and best wishes!
Congratulations, Sid. Very well deserved! Sid is also a great faculty/career development mentor!
Congratulations to you Dr. Byrareddy!!
Congratulations, Dr. Sid.
Congratulations Sid!
Congratulations Sid.
Sid, Congratulations and my best wishes!
Sid,
Congratulations on your achievements. You deserve this recognition !
Congratulations !
Congratulations Dr. Sid. Proud of your achievements and what you do.
Congrats! Well deserved!
Congrats, Sid. Well deserved recognition 👏🏻
Congratulations!
Congratulations!
Congratulations Sid – well done!
Congratulations
I am truly proud of you and your achievements. Keep it going Sid. You have certainly worked hard for this and are absolutely deserving of this award.
Congratulations Sid!
Congrats Dr. Byrareddy.
Thank you, everyone, and I appreciate your wishes. Having such outstanding mentees/colleagues/friends/mentors is adorable.
Congratulations Dr. Byrareddy, it’s been such an indescribable honor having you as a mentor.
Congratulations Sid. Continue inspiring people and make the world a better place