Congratulations to Jana Radin on being chosen as the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Honors Faculty Mentor of the Year!

Radin was nominated by Alfredo Martinez-Ruiz, an MCB Honors student and James Scholar who said Radin teaches students “to never doubt yourself because you will never know the great things that you are capable of unless you put yourself out there and try.”

A research scientist in the Department of Microbiology, she teaches MCB 297, an honors research and science discussion course. She also conducts research in the Kehl-Fie lab.

As faculty mentor of the year, she delivered the opening remarks at the LAS Honors virtual celebration during the week of May 3.

Radin holds a PhD in microbiology from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and she conducted research at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Before coming to the University of Illinois, she held postdoctoral fellowships at Duke University and Vanderbilt University.

Thanks to Radin's mentorship, Martinez-Ruiz said he was able to strengthen his scientific writing skills and “view science in a different manner.” Additionally, he said he appreciates her invaluable guidance to undergraduates as they navigate research opportunities.

She recognizes that “research is not all fun…, [but] in the end when things work out, it is very rewarding.” Failing and making mistakes is part of the learning process and those who are facing difficulties should believe in themselves and most importantly “realize that it’s ok to ask for help. You are not going to learn anything if you don’t ask,” he said.