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Michael Brian is an assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology at the Â鶹app. Below is our correspondence with Dr. Brian about his own research and his mentoring experiences with undergraduate students.  

What is your research focus? What interests you most about it?

My research focuses on how we can improve the cardiometabolic profiles of our young adult population as they transition into middle-aged adulthood. Our young adults face many challenges to maintain their overall health as they transition from high school and college into the American workforce. We want to make sure they are well-positioned to maintain their cardiometabolic health. 

Did your undergraduate studies or an important mentor influence your research trajectory?

Yes, I first got involved in exercise science during my undergraduate career. I loved getting into the lab and using the exercise testing equipment at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire. Later, as a graduate student at George Washington University, my mentor, Dr. Lorretta DiPietro, set me on my career path in research. I loved her passion for helping others. It’s that same passion that drives me. 

What are some of your most memorable experiences mentoring undergraduates, either as a graduate/PhD student or more recently as an assistant professor? 

There are a lot of memorable experiences, many of which involved students overcoming their nervousness around presenting their research. Our undergraduate students learn so much information and seeing them showcase that knowledge during research presentations is incredible. 

What do you feel a student and mentor should each gain from the experience of working together on a project?

In research, both students and mentors gain the ability to work together as a team. Students are learning just as much as the mentor is learning. Therefore, students and mentors learn how to communicate effectively and manage each other's expectations. Students are incredibly busy with complex lives. I don’t think parents realize how engaged students are in their studies while also working multiple jobs to support themselves on campus. I am very lucky to have such dedicated students working with me. 

This past summer you mentored a group project. What are the benefits and challenges associated with mentoring a group/pair vs. an individual student?

For me, the greatest benefit of working with students either individually or as a group is seeing their personal and professional growth. It drives my interest in being a teacher/mentor. We can get carried away with winning awards and publishing in top-notch journals. However, it is much more rewarding to see our students grow. 

Challenges always exist on any project. As a mentor, the challenge is to find the best way to manage the team and to figure out the best solutions for everyone. Working on a group project with Nate Goodwin and Gabe Dennett last summer showed me how skilled they were at handling adversity and facing challenges together during their project. 

What advice or tips would you give to a faculty member new to undergraduate mentoring and/or for undergraduates seeking a mentor?

My advice for mentors would be to find a project that piques your interests. It could be using a new methodology to progress your lab forward or taking a chance on a project that takes you out of your comfort zone. For students, I would recommend finding a mentor that matches your interests in research.