A. Clifford Barger Mentorship Award

Award Description

The A. Clifford Barger Mentorship Award recognizes an American Physiological Society (APS) member who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a sustained commitment to mentoring trainees from underrepresented and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. 

Award Criteria 

Nominations will be evaluated based on the nominee’s mentoring activities, accomplishments and commitment to supporting trainees from underrepresented and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Reviewers consider:

• Role model characteristics described by mentees.
• The quality and impact of the nominee’s mentoring program.
• Evidence of mentees’ successful research and career outcomes.
• Continued professional engagement with mentees.
• Local, national or international outreach activities that support the recruitment and retention of trainees.
• Publications, research funding and teaching awards.
• Evidence that the nominee continues to mentor trainees throughout their careers.

The nomination should demonstrate the nominee’s exceptional commitment to mentorship through activities such as:

• Serving as an outstanding role model for individuals from underrepresented groups in the physiological sciences.
• Providing exceptional training and mentorship to graduate students, postdoctoral researchers or junior faculty.
• Preparing trainees from underrepresented groups to contribute to the field of physiology.
• Conducting community outreach to recruit and retain future physiologists.
• Seeking funding to support the recruitment, training and retention of underrepresented trainees.

Eligibility

Nominees must:

• Be an APS member for at least two consecutive years.
• Be a full-time, permanent faculty or staff member at a U.S. institution.
• Demonstrate a sustained commitment to supporting mentees' career goals and professional development through mentorship, career guidance and continued engagement.
• Demonstrate leadership in their field through accomplishments such as scholarly productivity, research leadership, teaching and successful mentoring of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.

Nomination Requirements

A complete nomination must include:

• A nomination letter summarizing the nominee’s leadership and commitment to guiding and mentoring students or trainees. The letter should explain the specific activities and accomplishments that form the basis for the nomination.
• The nominee’s biosketch.
• A list of the nominee's current and former mentees from underrepresented groups, including the outcomes of their training.
• Letters of support demonstrating the nominee's commitment to mentoring, the impact of their efforts and the outcomes of their mentoring activities.

All nominations must be submitted by the deadline. Late or incomplete nominations will not be considered. 

Conditions of the Award  

• The award is by nomination only. Self-nominations are not permitted.
• Preference will be given to nominees who have not received other APS mentoring awards.
• The recipient must attend the American Physiology Summit to accept the award.
• One recipient is selected each year.
• The award is contingent upon funding.