“I was near the front row, and I was listening to Alicia speak, and she was so nice and knowledgeable. I hoped she would be my mentor,” she said, smiling. 

Sutherland intentionally created a culture of layered mentorship and reciprocal learning when she launched her lab in 2020. Graduate students mentor undergraduates while Sutherland oversees the lab, guiding both groups. 

An undergraduate researcher herself, Sutherland likes to have students join the lab as early as possible in their UD career, so they can be trained and have the opportunity to work toward being published before they graduate. 

“Mentoring undergrads isn’t just encouraged here at UD — it’s valued. That makes all the difference,” Sutherland said. 

Benefits for all

For Garner, the experience has had lasting benefits. She will begin medical school at Thomas Jefferson University’s Sidney Kimmel School of Medicine this summer through UD’s Medical Scholars Program and said having research experience helped her application. 

It also helped her decide to continue conducting research alongside her clinical training. 

“I really enjoy being in the lab,” Garner said. “Having that hands-on research experience is really helpful for medical students because it gives you a deeper appreciation of the scientific method, so when you’re discussing a paper, you have a better understanding of what you’re reading. The skills I’ve gained here, like critical thinking, perseverance and communication, will make me a better doctor.”

For Kreiman, mentoring Garner has been equally transformative, both as a scientist and for her future career. 

“It’s taught me how to lead, how to adapt my style, and how to help students succeed. And now, I can point to tangible outcomes, like Sarah being second author on my paper,” she said.

Sutherland sees this dynamic as essential to preparing the next generation of scientific leaders. 

“No matter what graduate students go on to do, they’ll be in leadership positions,” she said. “Mentorship is a skill they have to develop.”