Dr. Gayle Slaughter, director of several NIH-funded minority programs at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, was among the latest recipients of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. The annual awards recognize influential institutions and individuals who have been leaders in encouraging minorities, women and people with disabilities to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Slaughter is assistant dean for graduate education at Baylor, where she directs two NIGMS Minority Opportunities in Research (MORE) programs and an NHLBI training grant aimed at increasing the number of minority biomedical and behavioral scientists.
She was recognized for pioneering Baylor’s Summer Medical and Research Training Program and for her “success in recruiting and retaining graduate students, especially from underrepresented groups.” She is credited with mentoring more than 500 minority students.
Slaughter was among 10 individuals and 1 institution who received the awards during recent ceremonies at the White House. The awards, established by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and administered through the National Science Foundation, consist of a $10,000 grant and a commemorative Presidential certificate.
Since the awards program began in 1996, 14 individuals and 2 organizations supported by MORE have been recognized with the honor.
“The substantial number of awards to MORE grantees is gratifying,” said Dr. Clifton Poodry, director of the MORE program. “It indicates that we are funding some of the most dedicated and effective mentors out there.”
For a full list of MORE winners of the Presidential mentoring award, see http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Minority/PresidentialAwards.htm.
