Mentoring Compact

This mentoring compact for Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCDB) students and their advisors is intended to facilitate discussions between students and advisors, prior to the student joining a lab. This compact contains talking points that students and advisors should consider. The student and advisor should meet to review and discuss this compact together at the point that the student is considering joining the lab and the mentor is considering accepting the student. After the discussion, they should sign this form to confirm they had the discussion. This document does not supersede Ohio State’s policy, the Graduate School Handbook, or the MCDB Handbook.

Based on the 2017 American Association of Medical Colleges’ Compact Between Biomedical Graduate Students and Their Research Advisors Commitments of Graduate Students

Commitments of Graduate Students

I acknowledge that I have the primary responsibility for the successful completion of my degree. As such, I will be committed to the academic and professional activities outlined by the program and my mentor. I have the primary responsibility for the development of my own career and will explore career opportunities and paths that match and develop my individual skills, values, and interests.

I will meet regularly with my research advisor to go over expectations and provide updates on the progress and results of my coursework, research, and professional and career development activities.

I will work with my research advisor to develop a thesis/dissertation project and be engaged and establish a timeline for each phase of my work, while working to meet expectations. I will work with my advisor to develop a committee, and I will discuss my experimental findings with my advisor and my committee, whom I will agree to meet with annually.

I will be a good lab citizen and take part in shared laboratory responsibilities and use laboratory resources carefully and effectively. I will be respectful of, tolerant of, and work collegially with all laboratory personnel. I will be an active participating member in all team efforts, while maintaining a safe and clean working space that is free from harassment. I will follow all institutional research policies including laboratory safety practices and Responsible Conduct of Research.

I will maintain detailed, organized, and accurate research records. I acknowledge that original notebooks, digital files, and tangible research materials belong to the institution and will remain in the lab when I finish my thesis/dissertation so that other individuals can reproduce and carry-on related research, in accordance with institutional policy.

I will discuss policies on work hours, medical leave, paternity/maternity leave and vacation with my graduate program and research advisor. I will consult with my advisor in advance of any planned absences and make my advisor aware of any unexpected absences due to illness or other issues.

If my progress falls behind established goals or timelines, I will engage proactively with my advisor to identify contributing factors and to develop a plan to address them. I understand that such plans may include revised timelines, additional training or support, or increased communication.

If there is a dispute between myself and my advisor, I will treat the matter calmly and professionally. I will work with my advisor to find an amicable resolution, while still meeting my research expectations, and seek guidance from MCDB leadership if required.

Commitments of Faculty Advisors

Throughout the graduate student’s time in my laboratory, I will be supportive, equitable, accessible, encouraging, and respectful. I will work with the student on an individual development plan to help define career goals and identify training milestones. I will encourage the student’s intellectual development, critical thinking, curiosity, and creativity and promote the training of the graduate student in professional skills including oral and written communication, grant writing, management and leadership, collaborative research, responsible conduct of research, teaching, and mentoring.

I will be committed to meeting one-on-one with the student on a regular basis to review the student’s progress and provide timely feedback and goal-setting advice.

I will be committed to the graduate student’s research project. I will work with the student to help plan and guide the research project, set reasonable and attainable goals, and help establish a timeline for completion of the project.

I will help the graduate student select a thesis/dissertation committee. I will ensure that this committee meets at least annually to review and discuss the graduate student’s progress and future directions.

I will provide an environment that is intellectually stimulating, emotionally supportive, safe, equitable, and free of harassment. I will demonstrate respect for all graduate students as individuals, and I will cultivate a culture of tolerance among the entire laboratory.

I will be committed to providing financial resources, as appropriate and according to my institution’s guidelines, for the graduate student to conduct thesis/dissertation research. I will pay the student in accordance with MCDB’s annual recommended stipend. If a student has individual funding that only covers a portion of the stipend, I will supplement the stipend to MCDB’s minimum.

I will discuss with the graduate student my expectations regarding typical working hours, availability, and flexibility, recognizing that these may evolve and change over the course of the student’s training. I will also discuss expectations for leave, including vacation, sick, paternity/maternity leave and holidays.

I will expect the graduate student to be a good lab citizen and to share common laboratory responsibilities and use resources carefully and responsibly.

I will meet regularly with the graduate student to review data management, storage, and record keeping and discuss intellectual policy issues regarding disclosure, patent rights, and expectations regarding publishing research discoveries and authorship so that student work is appropriately recognized and published in a timely manner.

I will be knowledgeable of and guide the graduate student through the requirements and deadlines of the MCDB graduate program, and institution.

Rev: July, 2026