Shechner Lab Values

Our Core Values

We believe that Science belongs to everyone, and the Scientific Endeavor is most powerful when it is most inclusive. When we embrace and cultivate the diversity of our viewpoints, our team becomes more insightful, more creative, and more effective than any of us could be on our own. We also believe that Science provides a unique platform with which to elevate and amplify voices that might be otherwise overlooked. It is—it can be—a singularly powerful tool for social equity.

With these pursuits in mind, the Shechner Lab strives to be place where everyone’s voice is heard and respected. Everyone should have a sense of agency in their work and in their team. Everyone should feel safe and supported—that they are at home. Discriminatory speech or actions—on the basis of ethnicity, cultural heritage, gender or sexual identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, physical attributes and appearance, or physical ability or inability—will not be tolerated under any circumstance.

Mentorship Philosophy

David’s goal is to train creative, insightful, rigorous, hard-working, and (perhaps most importantly) curious scientists. He adopts a collaborate approach where he, the trainee, and the rest of the lab work closely together to cultivate these traits. Even when he’s not at the bench, David spends most of his time in the lab, providing the occasional bit of experimental knowledge or insight, or more often just providing general moral support. Lab members are encouraged to speak their minds freely, to share their ideas without fear of judgement, and to provide honest feedback on David’s mentorship successes or shortcomings. After all, every trainee is different, and mentorship means adjusting one’s approach to best suit that trainee’s needs and personal style.