Ohio State Marion Associate Professor of Psychology Dr. Nikole Patson was recently named a 2018 recipient of The Ohio State University’s Distinguished Undergraduate Research Mentor Award.
This award recognizes leadership and support research mentors provide to undergraduate students presenting at Ohio State’s Annual Denman Undergraduate Research Forum. Award winners are nominated by undergraduates participating in the Denman Undergraduate Research Forum, and must demonstrate excellence in teaching and mentorship. A student committee reviews the nominations and selects winners each year.
Dr. Patson will be formally presented the award by Ohio State Provost Dr. Bruce McPheron at the 2018 Denman Undergraduate Research Forum Awards Ceremony, the evening of Friday, April 6th at the OSU Faculty Club, Columbus, Ohio.
Patson currently mentors three Ohio State Marion students presenting at the 2018 Denman Undergraduate Research Forum on the Columbus campus. Although she was nominated for the same award in 2016, this is Patson’s first time receiving the award, and according to her, no award is more meaningful than this.
“Mentoring students is one of the favorite parts of my job,” said Patson. “It is one of the most important things we can do. Helping take a student from the start to the finish of a research project is so rewarding.”
According to Patson, the benefits of student research go well beyond future career growth.
“You get to witness so much professional and personal growth. This is really meaningful for the students and they develop skills that will help them as they move beyond the university,” she said.
She also shared what a tremendous honor it is for her to be recognized with this particular award.
“I feel very grateful that my work has meant enough to a student to nominate me,” said Patson. “To me there is nothing more rewarding in my job than working with students individually and watching them get excited about research,” she added.
The Ohio State University at Marion currently has six students taking part in this prestigious university wide event. The annual Denman Undergraduate Research Forum is an opportunity for undergraduate students in all disciplines to showcase their research, scholarship, and creative activities with the Ohio State community and beyond. The 2018 Denman Forum will take place Tuesday, April 3, 2018 in the Ohio Union.