Prof. Dr. Jody Deming (University of Washington) was nominated by Georges Kanaan and supported by Dr. Josephine Rapp and Dr. Zac Cooper on behalf of Deming’s mentees. They highlight Deming’s role as a mentor and the profound impact she has had on their careers and that of other emerging polar researchers. Deming’s mentorship goes from undergraduate students to post-doctoral researchers. Mentoring an international community of early career researchers, the nomination and support letters mentioned that Deming provides not only direct scientific advice but places an emphasis on fieldwork and networking opportunities. Furthermore, Georges Kanaan (the nominator) highlights the personal relationships that Deming established with her mentees, through being always available to her students, making them feel welcomed to the group and that Deming, as mentioned in the nomination letter, “Always puts the human first and in doing so fosters a welcoming community where one is invited to be themselves [...] Is always available to listen and offer advice both as a friend and a colleague […] Jody believes that being content allows one to more enjoy their work and thus be a better scientist”.
Deming’s impact is not limited to the period that mentees work in her team, continuing to provide support to them throughout their careers, even when already working outside Deming's laboratory as highlighted in the nomination “I still consider my time in her group as the most intellectually stimulating period of my scientific career and think of Prof. Deming and the team she created as my scientific family, which I can always rely on for advice and support. Those that have been lucky enough to work with Prof. Deming can only aspire to become equally skilled, perceptive, and empathetic mentors for their own students. I truly cannot think of anyone more deserving of this recognition than Prof. Deming.”
Deming is a Karl M. Banse Endowed Professor at the University of Washington. She is an oceanographer that explores microbial life in the Arctic Ocean. At the time of receiving the award, Deming said “I am overwhelmed and deeply honored to be the recipient of the APECS International Mentorship Award for 2024. [...] I am ever grateful to those I have mentored over the years, and especially to Georges, Josephine, and Zac, not only for their time and efforts in expressing themselves on my behalf, but for all the ways in which they have mentored me in return, helping me to be the mentor they could recognize in such a kind way.“
image: Prof. Dr. Jody Deming with the APECS International Mentorship Award 2024 (right) and nominator Georges Kanaan (left).