At the University of Chicago, nurturing the next generation of brilliant minds is just as vital as the groundbreaking research itself. This profound dedication to impactful mentorship is celebrated annually, and this year, Prof. Bryan Dickinson is among those recognized.
A distinguished faculty member within the Department of Chemistry and the UChicago Comprehensive Cancer Center, Professor Dickinson has been awarded a 2025 Faculty Award for Excellence in Ph.D. Teaching and Mentoring, underscoring his commitment to guiding graduate students who will soon shape the future of scientific inquiry.
Dickinson is renowned for cultivating an environment where students inherently feel ownership over their work, empowering them to pursue their own innovative ideas, regardless of prior expertise. This philosophy is rooted in his conviction that true scientific proficiency is forged through active engagement. "The only way to become a scientist is to do science, and the more you do, the more you will get the intuition and approach that makes you a good scientist," he asserts.
His empowering mentorship resonates deeply with his students; a former mentee shared, "His ability to motivate, uplift, and instill confidence in his students is one of his greatest strengths—a skill I now seek to emulate in my own mentoring".
Beyond guidance, Dickinson fosters a powerful collaborative spirit within his lab, where team members "constantly share questions, suggestions, and excitement over each other’s projects". The collaborative energy and mutual support are central to the lab's achievements, a point Dickinson underscored in accepting the award, stating, "For me, this is really an award for the culture that me and my group have built together"