LEAD Reverse Mentoring Pair

Yu-Chieh David Chen and Thayumanasamy Somasundaram

Yu-Chieh David Chen, PhD, Reverse Mentor
Yu-Chieh David Chen is a fellow of The Institutes of Health (NIH) F32 and K99 in Claude Desplan's lab at New York University. He was previously a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) International Student Research Fellow and completed his graduate studies in Anupama Dahanukar's lab at the University of California, Riverside. Chen's long-term research interest focuses on the developmental processes and functional roles of primary senses—vision, touch, hearing, and chemosensation (taste and smell)—which are critical for organisms to perceive and interact with their environment.

Chen is on the faculty job market and aims to establish his independent research program to explore how the brain creates structured maps to process diverse sensory inputs during development. He plans to use Drosophila visual and gustatory circuits to uncover the molecular regulators involved in key developmental events, such as cell specification, axonal targeting, and synaptic partner matching, to form functional sensory circuits. In addition to his research, Chen is passionate about teaching and mentoring the next generation of scientists. For more information, visit his website at ycdavidchen.com.

What new skills do you seek to gain as a reverse mentor?
As a reverse mentor, I aim to develop my advocacy and leadership skills, particularly in influencing policy changes to support work-life balance for working parents in academia. I also want to enhance my ability to provide constructive feedback to senior-level leaders in a respectful and impactful manner. By participating in this program, I hope to gain a better understanding of the decision-making processes at higher institutional levels and learn how to bridge communication gaps between diverse groups within the academic community.

How is mentoring important to your career development?
Mentoring is crucial to my career development, providing opportunities to learn from diverse experiences, refine my leadership skills, and cultivate professional networks. Through mentoring, I not only receive guidance on navigating academia but also contribute by sharing my perspectives, particularly as an immigrant and a parent in the academic field. This exchange enriches my understanding of supporting and uplifting others in similar circumstances, ultimately shaping my approach as a future faculty member.

Yu-Chieh David Chen is a member of Society for Developmental Biology, a FASEB member society.