Tips to Maximize Your Academic Success from Day 1

Starting a new job is overwhelming, but for faculty starting their careers at Stanford it can seem like starting two at the same time: surgeon and scientist.

“Much in the same way as you have clinical onboarding with receipt of your badge and a tour of the hospital and clinic space, we wanted to potentiate and accelerate the academic success of our faculty,” said Dr. Lisa Knowlton, an assistant professor in Division of General Surgery’s Acute Care Surgery Section as well as Associate Chair of Research for the Department of Surgery.

All new and junior faculty are invited to an annual retreat where these resources are reviewed, but Knowlton felt that timely dissemination and one-on-one mentorship was key to early advancement and wellbeing. With the support of Vice Chairs of Research Dr. Olivia Martinez and Dr. Arden Morris, Knowlton spearheaded a new program.

“The complexity of scientific research is increasing exponentially and core facilities are becoming essential to remain competitive. It can take months to years of falling on your face trying to create an efficient and cost-effective workflow. Dr. Knowlton is trying to address common obstacles to new surgeon scientists,” said Dr. Dan Delitto, an assistant professor in the Division of General Surgery and a basic science researcher, who met with the team shortly after starting at Stanford.

As part of the new program, each new faculty member meets with Knowlton, Martinez, and Morris to review available resources, ensure they’ve conducted any necessary training, and discuss their individual research objectives and mentorship plan.

“These meetings provide each new colleague a more formal introduction to all of the fantastic opportunities that are available in the Department of Surgery, the School of Medicine, and the University,” said Knowlton. “There’s no shortage or resources; it’s just a matter of harnessing them.”

Knowlton says the team also discusses potential sources of funding and ensures each researcher is “plugged into” a group of similar-minded researchers.

“As researchers, I think we tend to silo ourselves. It’s great to have the Department bridge that divide and give us a leg up so our work can remain competitive,” said Delitto.

Goals set? √ Grants targeted? √ Mentors identified? √

Follow-up meetings are scheduled twice a year. Of course, between meetings the AC and VCs are all available for questions.

“I love seeing the progress that our promising surgeon scientists are making and letting them know about the broad support they have from the Department and the institution,” said Department Chair Dr. Mary Hawn. “It has been amazing to see the energy our Associate Chairs are putting into their roles.”

Although Knowlton started by systematically meeting with a backlog of faculty in the University Medical Line, she says they are excited to start broadening the scope to include the Clinician Educator Line.

Media Contact

About Stanford Surgery

The Stanford University Department of Surgery is dedicated to inventing the future of surgical care through:

• pioneering cutting-edge research, 
• developing the next generation of leaders, and 
• healing through incomparable surgical skills and compassion. 

To learn more, please visit surgery.stanford.edu