Vote for the RIMLS Supervisor of the year

17 November 2022

You have the chance to vote for your preferred candidate! Have fun, and go for it, support and promote your ideal supervisor. The winner will be announced during the Goodbye & Hello Celebration on 11 January 2023 from 16.00 hrs.

Deadline for voting is 20 December 2022

If you want to add your reasons why he or she is a source of inspiration, please feel free, so we can use it at the award ceremony.

The three nominated finalists are (in alphabetical order):

 

Ellen van den Bogaard

How do you feel about being nominated for Supervisor of the Year?

I got a smile on my face, and felt rather surprised actually.

My group is on a rocky road towards moving our lab into another building, and we recently got separated from our friends from the clinical (research) staff and patient clinic. Times can be are challenging to keep everyone engaged, energized and to also keep eye on reaching (and teaching) our scientific goals. So, I did not see this one coming, but I take it as a huge end of the year bonus!

Describe your supervision style in a few sentences. What do you think is important, what do you draw energy from?

I mostly act upon gut feeling and intuition, try to adjust to the needs of the individual team members and tend to empathize and harmonize (a bit too much maybe). My supervision style depends on the person that I supervise, for some I can be intense and direct, for others I am more a coach on the sideline. Although I do like to talk a lot, I am not the coach that sits and observes quietly. I believe it is important to be open and honest, also about difficulties. Supervision in not a one way street. I get energy from new ideas, making new contacts, and from silly jokes and laughter in our coffee room.

What would you like to give people who are supervising for the first time?

We often say that 80% of experiments will fail before having success. But you must also accept to fail in your supervision, and admit to making mistakes. Learn from them, and to try to do better next time.

 

Jorge Domínguez-Andrés

How do you feel about being nominated for Supervisor of the Year?

This is certainly an honor and extra motivation to try to do things well. However, we should not forget that what we do is a team effort, supervisors are just a small piece on a very big machine. The success of a working group depends on the ability and the well-being of all its members. The best about this nomination is to perceive that our team feels well working together.

Describe your supervision style in a few sentences. What do you think is important, what do you draw energy from?

I like to see my role as someone who tries to help my colleagues stay on the right track. If someone in our team starts to stray, my role is to try to get them back on track. If they are going too slowly, my role is to help them reach their goals. If they are trying too hard, too fast, I have to help them reflect and find the right pace.  

I think it is crucial to remind ourselves that it is OK to make mistakes. As scientists, we need to dare to fail and learn from it. I draw energy from the enthusiasm of my colleagues, and from social activities outside of the lab (I am always up to a good hike or a karaoke evening, btw), also with friends outside academia. We have to work hard, but we should keep a balanced personal life at all costs. We must be kind to ourselves and to others. As I read once, “we are all smart, distinguish yourself by being kind”. 

What would you like to give people who are supervising for the first time?

I would say that it is important to spend some time with your team outside of the lab. You get the chance to have fun, meet great people, and build mutual trust. I also think it is important to treat each other as the adults we are. Everyone should feel free to openly discuss ideas, concepts, and results. Everybody must be equally treated and regarded with the same respect, regardless of the seniority.

 

Sandra Heskamp

How do you feel about being nominated for Supervisor of the Year?

It’s a real honor! Being a supervisor is the most rewarding part of my work, but at the same time, often the most challenging. Therefore, I am very proud that I was nominated by my students.

Describe your supervision style in a few sentences. What do you think is important, what do you draw energy from?

What gives me the most energy is when I see students explore new things, when they dare to step out of their comfort zone, sometimes even make their own mistakes, and thereby gradually develop themselves into an independent professional. I aim to give students lots of freedom and trust. Because of all them are highly motivated to succeed, I don’t need to push that. And the funny thing is, the people you supervise hold up a mirror to you. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a bachelor student, a PhD candidate, a research technician or post-doc, they learn me new things every day! 

What would you like to give people who are supervising for the first time?

See and listen! Every student is unique. There is no one-size-fits all solution. Create a safe environment where researchers dare to explore their own talents, speak up, and sometimes even make their own mistakes. By carefully listening to them, you will figure out what guidance they need in their project.   

 

To vote, please click here.

Please download flyer to distribute.