Faculty Mentor of the Week John D'Orazio College of Medicine, Toxicology & Cancer

Dr. John D'Orazio is a Professor of Pediatrics in the UK College of Medicine, as well as the Interim Director of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology. Dr. D'Orazio is a physician scientist who combines a clinical career in pediatric hematology/oncology, caring for children with cancer and blood diseases, with melanoma and melanocyte research. Over the last year, Dr. D'Orazio has mentored 4 students in his lab and many others in the hospital as clinical observers onn Pediatric Hematology/Oncology rounds.

Dr. D'Orazio enjoys mentoring undergraduate students and explains, "Though it doesn't happen with every student, it is rewarding to see the spark of curiosity lit by scientific discovery. I enjoy energizing a love of research in students. A good mentor-mentee relationship goes both ways - the mentor helps give perspective and guidance, while the mentee brings fresh ideas and a sense of untapped potential."  When considering an undergraduate mentee, he looks for a student with an innate scientific curiosity.

When asked about the importance of undergraduate research, Dr. D'Orazio replied, "Why should students engage in undergraduate research? At some point in every student's undergraduate studies, she or he should question what they're being taught. Where did the "facts" come from in the textbooks they're learning from? - they came from research! When a student is no longer satisfied to accept knowledge simply by passive absorption, but feels the need to create knowledge by discovery, then they are ready to do research."

Thank you Dr. John D'Orazio for your dedication and support of undergraduate research at UK.

Dr. John D'Orazio - College of Medicine, Toxicology & Cancer