Susan Sanchez

Mentoring University of Georgia students in research is not an accessory to the research activities in my laboratory; it is a vital necessity. The students’ participation is central to our research efforts and they are a part of my laboratory’s team. The primary mission of the Athens Veterinary Diagnostic Microbiology Laboratory is to provide diagnostic service to veterinarians in the state of Georgia. Research activities are focused on providing diagnostic tests, exploring emerging clinical problems, and understanding the development and spread of antibiotic resistance. Our laboratory has made notable progress with projects in all these areas due chiefly to the integration of students into our laboratory, their achievements, and the mutually beneficial relationships that develop. In general, the primary reasons students participate in research programs are to evaluate research as a career, to gain experience, and to enhance their application to professional school.

Regardless of the students’ motivations, my goals in guiding the undergraduates in research are to: 1) promote and encourage their interest in science as well as reinforce the relevance of biomedical research in their personal and professional lives, 2) develop their critical thinking skills, and 3) provide a firm grounding in scientific methodology based on concepts from their classes. It is my hope that accomplishing these goals will prepare students for whatever course their lives takes after undergraduate school, with science as an exciting and rewarding vocation or avocation. The basic theory that guides my mentoring is that intellectually mature undergraduates treated as valuable and competent researchers will, given the tools and guidance, become just that. The methods I use to guide students are straightforward problem-based, active and cooperative learning. Our laboratory is routinely challenged with real world problems. These problems serve as the basis for student projects and a framework for developing critical thinking and problem solving skills. The projects used to mentor students are relevant, achievable, challenging, and with clear, specific goals. Students are given the responsibility to solve the problem, develop their own questions, learn from their mistakes, discuss their ideas, apply new skills, and ultimately take ownership of the outcome. ​

Dr. Sanchez is the Director of the Georgia Veterinary Scholars Program and Member of the Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities Advisory Board.