Interview with Mollie Manier, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biology at George Washington University, on mentoring and how becoming a parent during graduate school influenced her career. 

In the Decoding Life series, we talk to geneticists with diverse career paths, tracing the many directions possible after research training. This series is brought to you by the GSA Early Career Scientist Career Development Subcommittee.

Are there unique aspects of your training that have prepared you to be a professor?

All of it. The optimist in me is able to gain some lesson from every experience—especially if it is not a good one! A trait that defines me as a scientist is my very short attention span for certain projects. As soon as I feel like I know something well, I move on to something outside my comfort zone. As a result, I have switched systems a lot. I’m on my third system and I’m addressing very different questions in each. That is definitely not a recommendation I make to people. I don’t tell graduate students that they should choose a new study system every 5 years. At the same time, it has made me think broadly. I’m a generalist, and that helps me think about research questions in a creative way. I don’t see boundaries to my field, and I don’t put limitations on myself as a scientist. Maybe that’s naïve and hopelessly optimistic, and the jury is still out as to whether that’s a good strategy for me, but I am always excited about what I’m doing, because I’m pursuing whatever interests me.

Did you always see yourself in this career?

I wanted to be a scientist for as long as I can remember. I used to write those terribly cheesy personal statements about how I always wanted to be a biologist. At first I thought I wanted to be a behavioral ecologist, then I got into genetics and fell in love with population genetics and that’s what I did my PhD on. The idea that you can look at population genetics to understand evolutionary divergence and potentially speciation was super cool to me. As an undergrad, I realized that I wanted to do research and I wanted to teach. There isn’t really another path to doing both other than being in academia. I’ve never really swayed from the desire to do what I am doing, but I’ve also always had a backup plan in the event that I can no longer get funding.

How did you choose your mentors as a trainee?

Instinct. In deciding where to go for graduate school I definitely did some gut checking. And I tell people this when they are struggling with big life decisions. There is a lot to be said for being emotionally attached to where you’re working and who you are working with. You want to feel passionate about wherever you are, and that is an inherently emotional construct. As scientists, I think it is hard to listen to that sometimes.

I also sometimes wish that when I was a trainee I had chosen my mentors better. I had a habit of going to a lab and then doing something that was different than what everyone else was doing. So, I didn’t have good mentorship in that particular field to tell me, “This is a terrible idea, you shouldn’t do this.“ It’s important to be wary of the advice “You are doing OK, that sounds good.” It’s easy advice for a mentor to give, but it doesn’t end up being that useful.

What are you looking for in a mentor now?

I need a mentor that is the kind of scientist that I would like to be within the context of an institution similar to my own. I need to find somebody who is at the next stage, maybe about to get tenure or has just received tenure at an institution similar to mine, who is doing work that is still very diverse and amazing and is really winning at the life I want to have. Also, I want to do more than just get tenure, and yet much of mentorship is just targeted at what you need to do to get tenure. Tenure is my low bar. I don’t know the answer to “How do I make an impact?” or “How do I become someone in my field that is looked up to?” That’s what I need mentorship in.

I think having more of a structure about how I think about my path and my future is going to be really helpful for me to then be a good mentor to other people. To be able to say to them, these are the questions I’m asking: What do I know well? What do I know kind-of ok? What do I need to know better? What am I struggling with? What kind of researchers do I admire and why? How do I get to that point? What are my questions? What are my concerns? These are the questions I am going to ask you and that you should be asking yourself.

What experiences outside of scientific training have had the greatest impact on your science and your career?

Probably far and away having kids. I had both of my kids during my graduate program, and I was a single parent. I feel like I can use them as an excuse for taking longer than usual. At the same time, I think I just do research kind of slowly—I can’t blame that on my kids. I don’t know that I would be finishing any faster if I hadn’t had kids. Having kids has made me focus and be way more efficient with things, and I think I manage my time better than I would have if I had nothing pulling me home or defining my non-work time.

About the author:

Photo of Caitlin McDonoughCaitlin McDonough is the Co-Chair of the Early Career Scientist Career Development Committee and a PhD Candidate in the Center for Reproductive Evolution at Syracuse University. She endeavors to highlight the varied experiences of scientists and make careers in science accessible to individuals of all identities.

Learn more about the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Leadership Program.

, , ,

Graduate student and postdoctoral leaders from the Early Career Scientist Committees of the GSA.

View all posts by Early Career Scientist Committees »

Read more in

  • Collage of 2021 Rosalind Franklin Award recipients

    Where are they now? Rosalind Franklin Young Investigator Award recipients share updates on their research

    Rosalind Franklin Young Investigator Award applications are open–make sure you submit your application or nomination of a colleague by September 30, 2024.

  • University of Minnesota researchers map genome of the last living wild horse species

    The study, published in G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics, is part of larger conservation efforts to save Przewalski’s horse.

  • Congratulations to the Spring 2024 DeLill Nasser Awardees!

    GSA is pleased to announce the recipients of the DeLill Nasser Award for Professional Development in Genetics for Spring 2024! Given twice a year to graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, DeLill Nasser Awards support attendance at meetings and laboratory courses. The award is named in honor of DeLill Nasser, a long-time GSA supporter and National Science Foundation…

  • Carolyn Damilola headshot

    Carolyn Damilola: an NFS Rising Scientist on a lifelong quest to learn more

    Carolyn Damilola is an NFS Rising Scientist from Nigeria doing respiratory system research and paving the way for scientists from underrepresented communities through mentorship.

  • Text over a blue background image: Apply for up to $2,000 for your project from the Starter Culture Microgrant Program.

    What does a good microgrant proposal look like?

    Members of the Microgrant Review Committee share their tips for a successful proposal.

  • A blurred image of a human face is shown against a dark background.

    The first piece of the facial recognition puzzle

    New research in GENETICS gives a first peek at the molecular pathway involved in recognizing faces.

  • New Senior Editor Amy MacQueen joins GENETICS

    A new senior editor is joining GENETICS in the Genome Integrity and Transmission section. We’re excited to welcome Amy MacQueen to the editorial team.

  • Close up of an adult zebrafish with blue and white stripes in an aquarium with red lighting.

    Block party on the zebrafish sex chromosome

    Research in G3 identifies a gene regulatory block of the zebrafish genome responsible for overseeing the maternal-to-zygotic-transition.

  • Lemna Minor, the common duckweed

    Unraveling the mysteries of duckweed: epigenetic insights from Spirodela polyrhiza

    Research published in G3 offers insight into the impact of DNA methylation on clonal propagation in asexually reproducing plants.

  • Luciano Marraffini headshot

    A microbiologist’s quest to understand CRISPR in bacterial self-defense

    2024 Genetics Society of America Medal recipient Luciano Marraffini determined how CRISPR-Cas systems destroy genetic targets with precision, paving the way for gene editing technology development.

  • Elaine Ostrander headshot

    Unlocking mysteries of trait and disease heritability in dogs

    2024 Edward Novitski Prize recipient Elaine Ostrander, a pioneer of the domestic dog model, discovered numerous genes affecting dog size, morphology, behavior, and disease susceptibility—many of which have relevance in humans.

  • NSF-funded BIO-LEAPS Grant to Support Culture Change in Genetics

    GSA and collaborators Personal Genetics Education & Dialogue and Reclaiming STEM Institute launch NSF-funded BIO-LEAPS project to support culture change in genetics 

    We are thrilled to announce that the Genetics Society of America (GSA) is collaborating with the Personal Genetics Education & Dialogue (PGED) based in the Department of Genetics at Harvard Medical School, and the Reclaiming STEM Institute (RSI) on a Leading Culture Change Through Professional Societies of Biology (BIO-LEAPS) grant from the U.S. National Science…

  • Daman Saluja: Navigating Science and Policy in India

    In the Paths to Science Policy series, we talk to individuals who have a passion for science policy and are active in advocacy through their various roles and careers. The series aims to inform and guide early career scientists interested in science policy. This series is brought to you by the GSA Early Care­er Scientist…

  • Deborah Andrew headshot

    A fly geneticist’s journey into discovering rules of organ development

    2024 George W. Beadle Award recipient Deborah Andrew discovered new genes and pathways in Drosophila salivary gland organogenesis. Now, her work can help optimize cell secretion in therapeutic applications and fight malaria.

  • Małgorzata Gazda's headshot

    Małgorzata Gazda: How receiving the DeLill Nasser Award helped her land her dream job

    Have you ever experienced an event that changes the course of your life, or in this case, your career? Małgorzata (Gosia) Gazda is Assistant Professor at the University of Montreal and in 2022, she received the DeLill Nasser Award for Professional Development in Genetics, which she used to attend and present at the 2022 Population,…

  • Hongyu Zhao joins GENETICS as new Senior Editor

    A new senior editor is joining GENETICS in the Statistical Genetics and Genomics section. We’re excited to welcome Hongyu Zhao to the editorial team.

  • Julio Molina Pineda at TAGC 2024

    GSA Member Julio Molina Pineda Receives DeLill Nasser Award, Shines at TAGC 2024 

    “At any career stage, the GSA membership is an amazing investment for any genetics professional!” Julio Molina Pineda is a PhD Candidate in Cell and Molecular Biology and a Research Assistant at the University of Arkansas, and a Doctoral Academy Fellow at the Lewis Lab. In 2023, Julio was awarded the DeLill Nasser Award for…

  • Ed Grell at his dissecting microscope using ether to anesthetize his flies.

    In Memoriam: Ellsworth Herman Grell (1932–2023), a pioneer of Drosophila genome engineering and annotation

    Ellsworth (Ed) Grell blessed the Drosophila community through three enduring legacies: as a pioneer of chromosome mechanics, as a primary organizer and synthesizer of genetic knowledge in Drosophila, and as a graceful mentor to those fortunate to have known him personally. Ed grew up in rural Nebraska, completed his undergraduate studies at Iowa State, and…

  • Congratulations to the #Fungal24 Poster Award winners!

    We are pleased to announce the recipients of the GSA Poster Awards for posters presented at the 32nd Fungal Genetics Conference! Undergraduate and graduate student members of GSA were eligible for the awards, and a hard-working team of judges made the determinations. Congratulations to all! Felicia Ebot Ojong, The University of Georgia My research is focused…

  • Poster presentation tips for TAGC 2024

    You’ve been selected to present a poster at The Allied Genetics Conference 2024 in March—you’ve celebrated, made plans to attend, now what? This is an exciting opportunity to showcase your research and engage with fellow members of the genetics community, so you want to make sure you’re prepared. We wanted to offer you some tips…

  • Maximize your TAGC 2024 experience 

    A guide to all that National Harbor & DC have to offer Are you joining us for The Allied Genetics Conference 2024 in March? Make the most of your #TAGC24 experience in National Harbor! We know the science will keep you busy, but you deserve to unwind and have some fun, so we’ve curated a…

  • Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Sarah Petrosky

    We’re taking time to get to know the members of the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Committees. Join us to learn more about our early career scientist advocates. Sarah PetroskyMultimedia SubcommitteeUniversity of Pittsburgh Research Interest I am interested in understanding adaptation that has been happening recently in populations by dissecting the ways that genes underlying an adaptation…

  • TAGC 2024 Early Career Award Winners

    GSA is pleased to announce the winners of the early career awards presented at The Allied Genetics Conference 2024. These awards are specific to particular TAGC communities and recognize early career scientists’ outstanding work on their respective research organisms. The awardees will present their talks in keynote sessions at TAGC 2024.  Don’t miss the opportunity…

  • Preeminent geneticists recognized with revamped GSA Awards

    In 2022, GSA’s Board of Directors launched an audit to review the five major awards conferred by the Society. Today, we are thrilled to announce the recipients of the reimagined GSA Awards, including the new Genetics Society of America Early Career Medal. The scientists honored this year are recognized by their peers for their outstanding…

  • Fly Board funds outreach programs to spread the word about Drosophila research

    In 2020, the Fly Board voted to use part of its reserve fund to support efforts to increase trainee participation as well as equity and diversity in the Drosophila community. An awards committee decides how the money will be spent each year, and from 2020–2022, the committee posted a very broad call for applications from…

  • New members of the GSA Board of Directors: 2024–2026

    We are pleased to announce the election of four new leaders to the GSA Board of Directors: 2024 Vice President/2025 President Brenda Andrews Professor, University of Toronto It’s an honor to continue my association with the Society by serving as Vice President of the Board of Directors. I have broad knowledge of the ongoing activities…

  • The Fly Meeting is one-of-a-kind! Dros 2025 organizers share their excitement

    The 66th Annual Drosophila Research Conference promises to be a meeting rich with the latest in Drosophila research as well as opportunities to advance your career and connect with a global community of 1,400+ scientists. The organizers Todd Nystul, Michelle Bland, Leila Rieder, Amanda Crocker, and Justin Crocker are hard at work, planning a conference…

  • Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Olufemi Osonowo

    We’re taking time to get to know the members of the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Committees. Join us to learn more about our early career scientist advocates. Olufemi Adekunle OsonowoCareer Development SubcommitteeDalhousie University Research Interest Metabolomics and genomics are two distinct but complimentary approaches that offer valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of complex traits, such…

  • Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Hector Mendoza

    We’re taking time to get to know the members of the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Committees. Join us to learn more about our early career scientist advocates. Hector MendozaCommunication and Outreach SubcommitteeUniversity of Michigan Research Interest My research goals converge around the evolution of sexual reproduction. During my doctoral program, I investigated mitochondrial inheritance, a mechanism…