Mentorship programs
Our Mentorship Opportunities in Science and Agriculture for Individuals of Color (MOSAIC) mentorship program is open to all UW students with a particular emphasis on those from BIPOC groups, to connect with supportive mentors from diverse backgrounds, creating valuable relationships outside of their program advisor(s). Mentorship contributes to the educational and professional development of students from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds by increasing access, promoting persistence, and allowing students to visualize what success looks like throughout every stage of their training.
Expectations of MOSAIC mentors
MOSAIC mentors are involved in one-on-one mentorship of UW graduate students and postdocs. Our mentors include UW faculty, staff, graduate student peers and professionals in industry, with many identifying as BIPOC and representing a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. Expectations of mentors include:
- In conjunction with the mentee, develop and establish expectations to be achieved
- Conduct one-on-one regular meetings with the mentee to evaluate and assess mentee progress
- Provide guidance and support mentee’s success
- Maintain professional confidentiality of all exchanges
- Participate in MOSAIC group gathers that include lunches, discussions, and other social activities
MOSAIC hosts two mentorship programs
- Professional Network: Career discovery, guidance and development.
This program intends to foster connections between professionals (faculty, staff, post-docs, and those working in industry), exchanging guidance and support. Interested professionals who would like to serve as Mentors will advise and guide graduate students.
– Mentors in this program, who bring a wealth of experience, resources and connections to the table, will enhance their teaching and leadership skills and learn fresh perspectives, leading to personal growth and contributing to the mentee’s success and community building.
– Mentees in this program can benefit in various ways, such as (but not limited to): exploring career options, academic and professional guidance during the graduate degree, advice in navigating the job market, enhancing skills when facing professional issues, etc. - Graduate Peer Support Network
This program intends to foster more supportive communities between graduate students, exchanging wisdom and solidarity. Interested graduate students who would like to serve as Peer Mentors will advise and guide newer and incoming graduate students.
– Mentors in this program will gain experience in mentorship relationships and involvement with peers, leading to an extended network and contributing to their personal and professional growth.
– Mentees in this program can benefit from getting a better sense of the UW system, academic and professional guidance, and general information needed when navigating graduate school.
Meet current MOSAIC mentors
Professional Network: Career Discovery, Guidance and Development
Tom Browne
Current role: Assistant Dean in the Office of Academic Affairs, and serves a number of roles within the office. As the supervisor of Transitional Advising and Outreach Services (TAOS) unit, Tom can help students explore different academic pathways at UW-Madison and at other institutions, as well as provide information for prospective students. Tom also serves as the Minority/Disadvantaged (M/D) student coordinator for CALS, representing the college in collaboration with campus peers and serving as co-chair of the CALS Equity and Diversity Committee, to help facilitate diversity, climate, and equity initiatives within the college.
Background: After growing up in Milwaukee, Tom attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, completing a B.S. majoring in Sociology in 1991, as well as an M.S. in Counseling Psychology in 1997, after having also participated as a student-athlete. Tom worked as a high school Guidance Counselor before returning to UW-Madison in 2000 as an academic advisor in the Athletic Department. “I have served in my current position for 16 years. I live in Madison with my spouse, Debra, and children Wesley, Joelle, and Alana. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, movies, and watching all sports.”
Leslie Holland
Current role: Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist in the department of Plant Pathology at UW-Madison. The focus of her research program is the diagnosis and management of fruit crop diseases. Her extension program translates research findings into practical solutions to improve the productivity and sustainability of fruit production in Wisconsin.
Background: She received her Ph.D. and M.S. in Plant Pathology at UC Davis and Washington State University, respectively. When she is not working she enjoys being outdoors, traveling, and cooking!
Why are you passionate about mentoring? “I am an advocate for enhancing opportunities for underrepresented groups in STEM education and research, and I love to share my enthusiasm for plant pathology with young scientists.”
Claudia Solis-Lemus
Current role: Assistant professor at the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery and the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Claudia is a statistician passionate about biology. She develops statistical models to answer biological questions, balancing biological interpretability, theoretical guarantees, and computational tractability.
Background: Originally from Mexico City, Claudia pursued her Undergraduate degrees in Actuarial Sciences and Applied Mathematics at ITAM. Then, she did a MA in Mathematics and a PhD in Statistics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In her spare time, she is an outdoor enthusiast. She enjoys swimming, running, biking, climbing and yoga, and my happy place is Devil’s lake.
Taylor Banh
Current role: Early career professional working outside of academia, currently as a Senior Nutrition Scientist at General Mills where he is responsible for conducting research to accelerate the growth of our brands. Taylor also serves in volunteer leadership positions such as the Vice-Chair of the Cognitive Health Committee (Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences) and Industry Chair of the Early Career Network (American Society for Nutrition).
Background: Taylor earned his BS in Dietetics from UW-Madison in 2013 and his PhD in Nutrition from The Ohio State University in 2018. Taylor co-authored 8 publications and earned 2 government-funded fellowships during his academic research career. “My favorite hobbies include working out, pickleball, tennis, hiking and traveling the world with my wife.”
Why are you passionate about mentoring? “Despite my roots in academic research, I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do when I graduated from my PhD program. However, I found an industry role after a few months of job searching and never looked back. As such, one of my passions in my free time is to help undergraduate and graduate students both network effectively and explore science careers outside of academia. I have special interest in guiding BIPOCs because we often lack resources and shared experiences in our academics and research training.”
Amaya Atucha
Current role: Faculty member in the department of Horticulture and Gottschalk Endowed Chair for Cranberry Research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Amaya’s research program focuses on crop ecophysiology and production of small fruit and cold climate viticulture. She is particularly interested in understanding crop adaptations to climate change and developing new management practices that will increase fruit crop resilience and thus ensure long-term sustainable production of these perennial crops in cold climate regions. She also has an extension program that focuses on generating and providing research-based information that improves crop production and profitability of the Midwest fruit industry.
Background: Amaya is originally from Chile where her family manages an avocado orchard near the beautiful pacific coast. She moved to the US to pursue a graduate degree in horticulture after graduating with B.S. in Agricultural Engineering. She graduated with a PhD degree in horticulture from Cornell University in 2012 and moved Colorado where she was a faculty member at CSU for 2 years before moving to Madison in 2014.
Karina Morales
Current role: Postdoctoral research associate in the department of Agronomy focused on leveraging genome editing to better understand the role of transposable elements in corn.
Background: Karina completed her M.S. and PhD in Plant Breeding and Genetics from Texas A&M University in 2018 and 2022 respectively. While at A&M, she had the pleasure of working as a research technician for USDA. “When not working, I enjoy watching and playing soccer (Hala Madrid!), craft beer (both brewing and sampling), reading, and traveling.”
Why are you passionate about mentoring? “Outside of the lab, I’ve spent several years working to improve diversity in agricultural sciences through engagement with the Society for Advancing Chicanos, Hispanics, and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS). Additionally, I spearheaded the coordination of the Bridge Scholars program through the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.”
Adela Olivia Chavez
Current role: Assistant Professor at the Department of Entomology. Her research focuses on molecular interactions between tick-borne bacteria, the vertebrate host, and their tick vector. Growing up in a family of farmers, Adela witnessed the damage that ticks inflict on livestock and the impact of vector-borne diseases on people. Therefore, she combines basic and applied research in the hope of finding solutions for farmers and providing information to public health specialists.
Background: Originally from Honduras, Adela completed her B.Sc. in Agriculture Engineering from the Escuela Panamericana de Agricultura (Panamerican School of Agriculture) “Zamorano”, followed by her M.Sc. and PhD. in Medical Entomology from the University of Minnesota. She lived in Guadeloupe, France for 2 years during a post-doc before returning to the US for a second Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the School of Medicine at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Adela served as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University for 4 years before joining the University of Wisconsin, Madison. When not in the lab or her office, you may find her running around Madison, diving in the deep ocean, or at home knitting with her cats.
Why are you passionate about mentoring? “I am very interested in serving as a Mentor for other BIPOC individuals because I understands how important it is to create a sense of belonging and provide guidance to new generations of BIPOC scientists. I am one of the first “Diversity Ambassadors” for the American Society for Rickettsiology and was selected as a USDA Kika De La Garza fellow for my efforts in DEI. I hope to interact with graduate students and postdocs to help them navigate their growth as scientists.”
Guolong Liang
Current role: Outreach specialist with a focus on commercial vegetables and agriculture water quality at UW-Madison Division of Extension. He completed his Bachelors and Masters degrees at the Department of Horticulture at UW-Madison.
Background: Born and raised in northwestern China, Guolong moved to Madison, WI for education and has stayed in Wisconsin ever since. He is an extrovert that gets inspired by people’s stories and experience. In his free time, Guolong enjoys dancing, cooking, walking, watching food vlogs and traveling. He also struggles to grow a garden so also feel free to provide some advice.
Why are you passionate about mentoring? “I as a lot of folks in our UW community, live in a country that we were not born and raised in. That created an unique and powerful experience for me through undergraduate, graduate, and now work environment. I am looking forward to chat about academia, Extension, community engagement, mental health, international student experience and engagement, dance, cooking, and how farmers grow food around the world.”
Natasha Rayne
Current role: Natasha Rayne is an Assistant Professor and Soil Fertility Extension Specialist in the Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences. She started at UW Madison in January 2024 where her research focuses on manure and nutrient availability in cropping systems, crop canopy sensors and variable rate technology, and nitrogen management in small grains and forages.
Background: She graduated with a BS in Agronomy from the Anton de Kom University of Suriname and earned her master’s and doctoral degrees in Soil Science at Oklahoma State University. Following graduate school, she joined the faculty at UW River Falls (UWRF) in 2015, where she taught various soils courses including Introduction to Soil Science, Soil Fertility, and Soil Microbiology and supervised many research projects. She has served the Agronomy Society and Soil Science Society of America in various roles including as leader of the nutrient management professionals, Golden Scholar Mentor, and as Associate Editor for Agronomy Journal. Natasha is also a recipient of the UW System Outstanding Women of Color in Education award.
Why are you passionate about mentoring? She credits her success to the mentorship she’s received throughout her studies and career. This has inspired her to help others become successful and thus pay it forward. Natasha enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, biking, and kayaking with family.
Harkirat Kaur
Current role: I am Harkirat Kaur, an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Corn Production Systems at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. As a corn agronomist, I aim to create a collaborative environment where we approach research holistically and provide pragmatic insights for crop production. My primary goal is to provide easy accessibility of research to growers. My field of research is Crop and Soil Science with a focus on crop production systems.
Background: I have always been intrigued by various interactions of plant systems, and agronomy being the science so closely related to the grower has always been of interest to me. My quest with corn agronomy research started due to an internship project during my undergraduate. It helped me understand the importance of interactions between various biotic and abiotic components of crop production. Graduate school further provided an opportunity to delve into these interactions and use them to explore the integrated management strategies for economical and sustainable corn production.
Outside of my work, I enjoy baking, dancing, and playing squash. I always try to take up different activities to keep learning. I would like to travel more for leisure, but I think it is something that will probably come later in life.
Graduate Peer Support Network
Dharani Suresh Babu
Current role: As a passionate advocate of integrating agriculture with information technology, she is committed to revolutionizing the agricultural sector with cutting-edge technological solutions. Presently, her research is centered on advancing the cranberry industry, with initiatives including the development of a Raspberry Pi camera system, AI-driven models, and a specialized web application, all geared towards enhancing cranberry farm yields and profitability.
Background: Hailing from India, Dharani earned her Bachelor’s in Agricultural Information Technology from the renowned Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU). She then advanced her studies with a Master’s in Environmental and Conservation Science from North Dakota State University (NDSU). Following her Bachelor’s degree, she joined the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) as a vital member of the System Analysis for Climate Smart Agriculture team, undertaking roles as a Crop Modeler and Programmer. Additionally, she has been associated with reputed organizations such as Blue River Technology as a Geospatial Engineer and John Deere as a Data Engineer.
Why are you passionate about mentoring? Dharani was selected for the Bayer University Mentoring Program, receiving dedicated mentorship from a seasoned industry mentor at Bayer. This 1:1 mentorship has afforded her valuable insights into the requirements of the agricultural industry and the skill sets needed to thrive within it, substantially enriching her professional journey. Unwavering support and guidance from her Ph.D. advisors, coupled with her experience in the Bayer mentoring program, have deepened her appreciation for the mentor-mentee relationship, a powerful bond where wisdom and experience merge with passion and potential, creating a cycle of growth and continuous learning. She is inspired by this synergy and is eager to channel her learnings to guide the next generation of students.
Stephanie Jale Katircioglu
Current role: Stephanie is a master’s student in the department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology. Her research primarily focuses on understanding how white-tailed deer behavior contributes to environmental contamination on a heterogeneous landscape and what behaviors influence both indirect and direct transmission events of chronic wasting disease (CWD). Stephanie combines both camera trap data and laboratory experiments that utilize biochemical and in vitro assays to answer these research questions.
Background: Originally from Miami, Florida, Stephanie graduated from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Animal Sciences in 2019. (GO GATORS!) During her free time, Stephanie loves fishing off her kayak, camping, cooking, hiking, and exploring new places with her dog, Otis.
Why are you passionate about mentoring: “My journey to where I am today was not conventional in the aspect of always knowing that I wanted to pursue a career in wildlife disease ecology. It took immersing myself in different disciplines of science and pursued amazing research opportunities in various labs during my undergraduate and postgraduate year to come to this realization. Today, I am excited to share this journey with potential mentees and provide both guidance and opportunities to learn skills that will prepare them for a career in research.
Eithan Pozas
Current role: PhD student in the Department of Plant Pathology. My current research is focused on elucidating the complexities of the Cranberry Fruit Rot (CFR) pathosystem. I am dedicated to employing a multifaceted approach, including molecular analyses, community ecology, and extensive fieldwork, to comprehensively understand the ecological, biological, and environmental factors driving disease development. I am committed to advancing our understanding of mycobiome structures and their significance in agricultural systems. Through my research, I aim to shed light on the role of fungal communities in agricultural ecosystems and their potential impact on crop health and productivity.
Background: Born and raised in Mexico City where I earned my B.S in Biology from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). I’ve always been passionate about the unraveling mysteries of nature.
Why are you passionate about mentoring? “Beyond my academic pursuits, I am deeply dedicated to mentorship, drawing from a diverse range of experiences to support the growth and development of others. From coaching basketball to serving as a Teaching Assistant for a Plant Pathology course, I have actively engaged in mentorship roles that span both academic and extracurricular domains. I am driven by a genuine passion for helping individuals achieve their academic and professional goals, and I take pride in my ability to provide guidance and support tailored to their unique needs. My experience as an international student has further enhanced my mentorship skills, as it has equipped me with firsthand knowledge of the challenges faced by students navigating academic and personal transitions. From understanding the intricacies of housing and accommodations to facilitating access to recreational activities and mobility resources in Madison, I am well-prepared to assist others in overcoming similar obstacles. I am eager to leverage my experiences and insights to provide invaluable support to fellow students as they navigate their own educational journeys.”
Loren Dariana Lopez Rivera
Current role: PhD student in the Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Training Program (MCP). Her current research primarily focuses on studying tumor evolution and immune response in head and neck cancer (HNC) using patient-derived xenograft models throughout innovative techniques like humanized mouse models. The goal is to optimize these models for better understanding cancer progression and improving treatment outcomes for patient care. Through her research, she aims to contribute to advancements in cancer therapeutics and patient outcomes by elucidating the intricate interplay between tumor biology and the immune system, ultimately striving towards more personalized and effective treatment strategies.
Background: Born and raised in Puerto Rico, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences at the Ana G. Méndez University Gurabo Campus. During her undergraduate studies, she had the opportunity to expand her research expertise by participating in projects dedicated to oncology, pharmacology, computational approaches, and electrochemistry. The exposure to diverse applications of science, help her gain a broader perspective on how knowledge outside one’s comfort zone can enhance the scientific experience.
Why are you passionate about mentoring? “Beyond my academic pursuits, I am deeply dedicated to sharing valuable insights with others who are aiming to cultivate skills and foster professional development. I believe in the power of interdisciplinary learning and want to convey that the scientific journey is not linear. My experience as a Hispanic/Latina student has motivated me to serve as a guide for those navigating their academic and personal journeys. I recognize that this journey can feel isolating, and I am committed to contributing to a supportive community to ensure that this pathway is enjoyable and full of support. By providing guidance and encouragement,
I hope to empower individuals to overcome challenges and succeed in their pursuits. I am eager and committed to leveraging my experiences and insights to create a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive academic environment where individuals can thrive while navigating their own educational pathways.”
Susana Isabel Ferrer Orgaz
Current role: PhD student in the Department of Plant Pathology. Her current research focuses on soybean genetics and its interaction with an economically important pathogen, the soybean cyst nematode. Specifically, she conducts research to identify and describe genes and mechanisms that confer resistance to this soybean disease, with the goals of making breeding strategies more informed and ultimately, easier. She is passionate about plant biology and how basic research can be translated into technical advances for sustainable agriculture and food security.
Background: Born and raised just outside of Mexico City, Susana obtained her B. S. in Biology from the esteemed National Autonomous University of Mexico. During her final years of undergraduate studies, she actively sought opportunities to broaden her horizons through scientific experiences in the United States and Canada. Beyond academia, she is passionate about DEI initiatives that aim to foster a welcoming and safe academic environment. Outside of school she enjoys nature-centric activities like hiking, kayaking, and spending time with her dog, Kina.
Why are you passionate about mentoring? “If there is something I have learned throughout my professional career, is the transformative power of guidance and encouragement. My passion for mentoring stems from recognizing the profound impact that supportive mentors have had in my journey, empowering me to achieve my goals. As an international student, I can empathize with individuals navigating the challenges of adaptation and belonging. I firmly believe that through sharing experiences, offering support, and contributing to a welcoming network, I can empower others to realize their full potential and achieve their academic and personal aspirations”.
Previous MOSAIC mentors
- Valentin Picasso
- Judi Simcox
- Lucia Gutierrez
- Jennifer Van Os
- Christelle Guedot
- Laura Hernandez
- Thierno Diallo
- Natalia de Leon
Acknowledgement & Gratitude
In addition to our volunteer mentors, we would like to thank the following people for their support, guidance, encouragement, and helpful feedback all along the way. We are thankful to you for championing this cause:
- Jo Handelsman (Director, Wisconsin Institute for Discovery)
- Lindsay Stoddard (Faculty Services, Office of the Secretary of the Faculty)
- Claudia Calderon (Faculty Associate, Department of Horticulture)
- Parmesh Ramanathan (Associate Dean, Graduate School)
- Christopher Yue (Interim Assistant Dean, Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Funding, Graduate School)
- Cheryl Gittens (Interim Deputy Vice Chancellor for Diversity & Inclusion, Elzie Higginbottom Vice Provost & Chief Diversity Officer)
- Abbey Thompson (Associate Director, SciMed GRS)
- Liza Chang (Postdoctoral Fellow, WISCIENCE)