Diversity and Inclusivity
Uniqueness is powerful. Inclusion is how we unleash that power. In all of our activities, I and the rest of the Kummer lab will maintain our commitment to diversity and inclusivity. We know that having varied perspectives generates better ideas to solve the complex problems of an increasingly diverse world. We will draw on the differences in who we are, what we’ve learned, and how we think.
Science is teamwork. To make discoveries that serve everyone, we must believe in including everyone.
Andrew is the reason my standard advice to new PIs is “find good people” 
Lab outing at Top Golf 
Zaffar had a unique take on how to caddy. 
Lab outing at Top Notch Axe Throwing
Mentorship
A strong and effective mentoring relationship starts with good communication. First, I strive to be available to my students. My door is rarely closed, and I look forward to frequent conversations with the members of my lab. During these conversations I will strive to understand your background and experiences, as that context will guide our way forward together.
My goals as your mentor are multiple. Scientifically, I want to help you give your curiosity the purest expression possible within the guard rails that lead towards career success as an investigator. I love clever ideas and out-of-the-box thinking. I’ll help you turn those ideas into practical experiments that build the next paper, lead to a grant, and provide the surest possible path to the next phase of your career. I want to communicate this context to you so that you can more effectively navigate beyond the current experiment, as far as your ideas can take you.
Hey, speaking of communication, I want to help you convey your curiosity and where it’s led you to the widest possible audience. I will work with you to adapt your story to differing audiences, media, and time frames. Writing and speaking are central to our job as science communicators—I take this very seriously. I want my students to become expert communicators and beautiful writers.
But enough about the wider world, in the here and now, interpersonally, my goal is to help you find a work-life balance that prioritizes your development as a scientist, but recognizes that strong relationships outside of the lab are crucial to happiness. Organization and planning are the essential tools with which we will maintain this balance. Within the lab I work to hire and train those who give of themselves and expect to be shown respect. I work with students as they learn to navigate these waters within and beyond the lab.
When we meet, I pledge to offer honest feedback, to engage in a mutually respectful discussion, and to look for opportunities to nudge you in new directions for the sake of your personal and professional growth. I will make it my mission to help each of you find your place in the world.