Caroline Shearer
Dean’s Award for Excellence in Mentoring
Ph.D. Candidate, University Program in Ecology
Bio
Caroline Shearer is a Ph.D. Candidate in the University Program in Ecology (UPE), admitted through the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology. She earned a B.S. in Ecology from the University of Georgia in 2019.
Her research focuses on the endocrinology, parasitology, and social behavior of lemurs. She is an NSF Graduate Research Fellow in the Drea lab. During her program, she has served as a teaching assistant in Evolutionary Anthropology as well as at the Duke Lemur Center; completed requirements for the Certificate in College Teaching; served as a Lab Catalyst at the Museum of Life and Science; studied abroad in China and Madagascar, even learning the local language, Malagasy, to facilitate her research; and mentored several undergraduate honors thesis students.
Shearer is recognized for her significant contributions to the UPE and Evolutionary Anthropology communities at Duke and, more broadly, her dedication to mentorship in ways big and small to all those with whom she comes into contact.
On Mentoring
What does a successful mentoring relationship look like? How do you build such a relationship?
Aside from regular, open communication, a successful mentoring relationship centers on students feeling empowered to innovate and ask questions. To foster a connection, I make a point of showing students that their viewpoint matters. This can involve asking follow-up questions for their research ideas or pointing them in the direction of hidden factors to consider. When students see that I want to consider and build from their original thoughts, it strengthens their willingness to seek help and branch out of their comfort zone.
What is something you have done as a mentor that you are really proud of?
One of my favorite things I’ve done as a mentor is to help mentees become independent. Whether it is writing a scientific introduction, counting parasites, or coding statistics, everyone has a first time trying something. In those moments, I am right alongside students to both guide and foster confidence. Then, as they hone their skills and gain responsibility, I act as a further sounding board or lifeline for troubleshooting. Ultimately, I get to collaborate equally with mentees as they use their passion and developed skills to complete theses and continue pursuing careers.
How have you evolved as a mentor compared to when you first started mentoring?
Early in graduate school, I focused on ensuring that students saw only the polished part of research. I pre-tested methods and aimed to have answers to all their questions. Now, I consider it an important part of mentoring to include mentees at all stages of research, especially when piloting new methods. It shows them that everyone has room to grow. Seeing me learn alongside them, students are encouraged to try something unfamiliar and be open about any questions they may have.
In Their Words
Excerpts from Shearer’s nomination
“Caroline is the rare kind of mentor whose expertise is matched equally by her generosity and compassion. Over the past year, she has taught me an extraordinary range of research skills from running hormone concentration assays to detecting parasites under a light microscope. She explains every technique with clarity, and genuine excitement, transforming even the most technical lab procedures into an enthusiastic learning experience about the ‘why’ behind the science. Her enthusiasm for science is contagious; she is the reason I found myself not just completing tasks in the lab, but truly loving the process of research.”
“Mentorship and educational outreach are more than priorities for Caroline; making science accessible is a passion. Her commitment is evident both in her mentorship of students (undergraduates and graduates alike) and in her promotion of science to the public.”
“Caroline led by example and taught me how to be a mentor to freshmen when my senior year came around, which I never would have imagined myself doing. She has been constantly positive and supportive of me, my career, and my wellbeing, even when I made a mistake or something did not go well, she was always there for me, and I always felt I could come to her with any issue.”