About Me
Scientist by Training, Educator by Choice, Mentor by Calling
I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Computational and Systems Biology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The main thrust of my work has been to design and implement innovative research, training, and educational efforts for students and trainees at all levels. This includes a National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program (1) called Training and Experimentation in Computational Biology (TECBio) that has been funded since 2010 and a tailored research and enrichment CompBio Academy summer program for high school students started in 2011 that is a part of the UPMC Hillman Academy, for which I am also the Associate Director (2). My educational efforts also extend to graduate students in the joint CMU–Pitt PhD program in Computational Biology (CPCB) and the Computational Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CoBB) MS program. Together, my focus has been to pioneer innovative approaches and programs to teach laboratory-based (3) and essential professional skills to these students to prepare them for success in their academic tenures and on the job market.
As a first-generation high school student who has benefited so greatly from the exemplary mentors that have helped shape his career path in such a positive way, I have a calling to help others maximize their mentor–mentee relationships. I am proud to serve as the Faculty Fellow of the University of Pittsburgh Center for Mentoring and am a Principal/Master Facilitator of both the Entering Mentoring Curriculum (mentor training) and Entering Research Curriculum (mentee training) from the Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER). Through these roles, I have been offering training workshops for mentors and mentees across the university and beyond.
Recognitions and Certifications
| Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award (Finalist) | 2022 |
| Rudy Sabbagha, MD Endowed Lecture in Innovative Technology Research, Magee Womens Research Institute | 2022 |
| National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN) June Mentor of the Month | 2019 |
| Master Mentor Certification by the National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN) | 2017 |
Professional Certifications
| Master/Principal Facilitator of Entering Mentoring (Mentor Training) Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER) | 2023 |
| Master/Principal Facilitator of Entering Research (Mentee Training) Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER) | 2022 |
| Certificate in Organizational Leadership and Management (COLE) David Berg Center for Ethics and Leadership and Office of Human Resources, University of Pittsburgh | 2019 |
| Professional Mentoring Skills Enhancing Diversity (PROMISED) Program National Research Mentoring Network and University of Pittsburgh Institute for Clinical Research Education | 2018 |
| Evidence-Based Undergraduate STEM Teaching Center for Integrated Teaching and Learning (CIRTL) via an edX Online Course | 2016 |
| Scientific Management and Leadership University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences | 2013 |