From Dr. Zanni’s nominations: 

Dr. Zanni has played a transformative role in my career development as an underrepresented in medicine faculty member, and her steadfast commitment to mentoring and diversity in academia is nothing short of exemplary.

What sets Dr. Zanni apart as a mentor is her unparalleled generosity with her time and expertise. She consistently goes above and beyond to provide advice, encouragement, and valuable insights. Dr. Zanni approaches mentorship with a warm smile and unwavering reassurance, creating an environment where her mentees feel empowered to grow and succeed.

One of the most remarkable aspects of working with Dr. Zanni is that she shows genuine care and concern for her mentees as individuals, not just as faculty members. She maintains a deep and meaningful connection by checking in frequently and offering words of encouragement whenever we might encounter personal or professional obstacles. Her investment in our well-being fosters a sense of confidence and self-assuredness that I didn’t even realize I was lacking before I began working with her.

Dr. Zanni’s mentorship has not only accelerated my professional growth but has also instilled in me the belief that no goal is out of reach. Her staunch support and guidance have been an antidote for the venom of imposter syndrome; whenever I have found myself doubting my abilities, she has been there to remind me that I am competent, I am talented, I am capable and I am deserving. She has provided me with unwavering support, advocacy, guidance, and sponsorship – all of which have been essential to the advancement of my research/ academic career.

From Dr. Breithaupt’s nominations:

Lauren’s initiative to make sure I was being properly compensated for my work demonstrates her dedication to uplifting students of different socioeconomic backgrounds, rather than just those who can afford an incredible research opportunity.

Dr. Breithaupt has hit the ground running, bringing important new concepts and procedures into our translational research program, immersing herself in our multi-disciplinary team, and emerging as a natural leader.

One recent coordinator who was with our team for 2 years before moving onto a clinical psychology PHD program shared, “Lauren took every opportunity to help us grow. She mentored us through writing a publication [resulting in a first-author meta-analytic review for this trainee], and was always willing to review my applications and meet with me about the graduate school application process. I am so grateful to her!”

Importantly, Lauren’s role as a mentor has had a tremendous impact on our program’s mission to increase diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within the field of eating disorders. Specifically, Lauren has made it her priority to recruit and mentor individuals who have been historically underrepresented in the sciences, and further, in the field of eating disorders research.

Dr. Breithaupt supported my Diversity Fellowship, and through this, she has mentored me on several first-authored poster presentations and manuscripts and has devoted a significant amount of time to my growth.

From Dr. Evan’s nominations:

Dr. Mary Evans is truly a force of nature. Within NIDDK and all of the institutions it supports, she has been able to put diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging at the forefront of consideration. Perhaps what is most intriguing about Dr. Evans is her quiet power. Never forceful in her approach to addressing inequities, she commands people to not only listen but to actually make a change. It was indeed Dr. Evans who took the leap to support the first cohort of Diversity Scholars in the NORCH. Her initial investment in this work has spun into an entire enterprise in which the 12 NORCS now each have diversity champions. Additionally, there is a NORC-wide executive committee that works to create change in this domain- year round. Finally, particularly as a recent recipient of the new U24 which seeks to improve the careers of those underrepresented in nutrition and obesity research, she has demonstrated a long-term commitment to equity. I am thankful Dr. Evans for leading the way and for allowing people who look like me the opportunity to thrive.

From Dr. Stanford’s nominations:

“I personally consider her to be a major influence on my success because she believed in me and motivated me at times when I doubted myself.”

“Although Dr. Stanford is the hardest worker I have ever met and continues to craft new pathways in academic medicine, she prioritizes and appreciates the art of mentorship and deeply cares about her mentees.”

“I would not be where I am if not for her mentorship, support, and persistent inspiration.”

From Dr. Mattei’s nominations:

“…Dr. Mattei not only includes minority voices in the academy; she is at the forefront of ensuring our metabolic and behavioral understanding of chronic disease risk progresses because of it. …”

“…She works harder than anyone I know to raise others up. …”

“… To me, she has been a voice, an ear, and an inspiration.  A voice, because through her work, she shares powerful messages that empower underrepresented populations; an ear, because the ensures that in her diverse team, all opinions and perspectives are heard and – most importantly – valued; and an inspiration, because every detail in her projects reflects her passion and commitment to the communities she works with. …”