EP 41: 2025 Training Mentoring Award Interview with Marisa Bartolomei

Welcome to The Future Conceived, the official podcast of the Society for the Study of Reproduction! In this episode, host Cam Schmidt has a fascinating conversation with Dr. Marisa Bartolomei, Perlman Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of Pennsylvania and the esteemed winner of SSR's 2025 Training Mentoring Award.

Dr. Bartolomei shares insights into her unique journey, transitioning into reproductive biology as a faculty member after starting in other fields like genetics and epigenetics. She discusses the evolution of graduate and postdoctoral training, the challenges of navigating an ever-growing sea of scientific information, and the increasing length of PhD and postdoc programs. Listen in as she reflects on her diverse mentorship experiences, from her early days knocking on lab doors as an undergraduate to her current approach of fostering not only research skills but also crucial "soft skills" in her trainees.

Discover what Dr. Bartolomei finds most rewarding about mentoring, her advice for early career scientists starting their own labs, and essential tips for trainees on how to navigate their scientific journeys. This episode offers a candid and insightful look into the past, present, and future of scientific training and mentorship within the reproductive sciences.

Sponsored by SSR's Virtual Education Committee, dedicated to education, highlighting member careers, and sharing the latest scientific advancements in reproductive biology. Learn more at ssr.org.