Path to publication
Photos by Evan Krape and courtesy of Sarah Garner May 19, 2025
Mentorship in the lab leads to success as a scientific author
91原创 senior Sarah Garner has been published in academic journals three times during her time as a Blue Hen. It鈥檚 an impressive feat, as the process can take several months, depending on the publication. And she鈥檚 the first to tell you she couldn鈥檛 have done it without the mentoring and unique culture of collaborative learning she has received from faculty and graduate students along the way.
The future medical school student was most recently published in April when she was listed as second author on a paper in the microbiology journal . The work was the result of research she conducted with doctoral student Alicia Kreiman and Molly Sutherland, assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences.
Their study was the first to provide a mapped biochemical pathway of the mechanism in bacteria that transports a molecule called heme, which is critical for many different cellular functions, including producing energy and transporting oxygen. It can also be toxic to cells when not regulated properly 鈥 causing DNA damage, inflammation and blood disorders such as anemia.
It started with an email
Garner鈥檚 route to this publication started with an email to Sutherland two years ago.
The honors student majoring in biology with a concentration in cell and molecular biology and genetics knew she wanted to do a senior thesis. After taking a microbiology class with Sutherland, she joined the lab through the .
Kreiman was a guest lecturer in the class, and Garner was thrilled when she found out the two would be working together.
鈥淚 was near the front row, and I was listening to Alicia speak, and she was so nice and knowledgeable. I hoped she would be my mentor,鈥 she said, smiling.聽
Sutherland intentionally created a culture of layered mentorship and reciprocal learning when she launched her lab in 2020. Graduate students mentor undergraduates while Sutherland oversees the lab, guiding both groups.聽
An undergraduate researcher herself, Sutherland likes to have students join the lab as early as possible in their 91原创 career, so they can be trained and have the opportunity to work toward being published before they graduate.聽
鈥淢entoring undergrads isn鈥檛 just encouraged here at 91原创 鈥 it鈥檚 valued. That makes all the difference,鈥 Sutherland said.聽
Benefits for all
For Garner, the experience has had lasting benefits. She will begin medical school at Thomas Jefferson University鈥檚 Sidney Kimmel School of Medicine this summer through 91原创鈥檚 and said having research experience helped her application.聽
It also helped her decide to continue conducting research alongside her clinical training.聽
鈥淚 really enjoy being in the lab,鈥 Garner said. 鈥淗aving that hands-on research experience is really helpful for medical students because it gives you a deeper appreciation of the scientific method, so when you鈥檙e discussing a paper, you have a better understanding of what you鈥檙e reading. The skills I鈥檝e gained here, like critical thinking, perseverance and communication, will make me a better doctor.鈥
For Kreiman, mentoring Garner has been equally transformative, both as a scientist and for her future career.聽
鈥淚t鈥檚 taught me how to lead, how to adapt my style, and how to help students succeed. And now, I can point to tangible outcomes, like Sarah being second author on my paper,鈥 she said.
Sutherland sees this dynamic as essential to preparing the next generation of scientific leaders.聽
鈥淣o matter what graduate students go on to do, they鈥檒l be in leadership positions,鈥 she said. 鈥淢entorship is a skill they have to develop.鈥
More than mentors
Garner, who balances her science studies with minors in dance, biochemistry and history, and teaching dance on the weekends, said the collaboration has extended far beyond learning lab techniques.聽
鈥淭hey鈥檝e taught me how to communicate science 鈥 how to structure papers, posters, and present research effectively,鈥 she said. 鈥淚鈥檝e also built real relationships. Alicia and Dr. Sutherland feel like friends.鈥
Sutherland also served as an advisor on Garner鈥檚 capstone project for her dance minor, which explored how college students with type 1 diabetes experience dance programs.
They are also going to submit another paper for publication.聽
鈥淩esearch is important,鈥 Garner said, 鈥渂ut the relationships you build along the way 鈥 that鈥檚 what really stays with you.鈥
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