Jesse Kroll Honored for Outstanding Postdoctoral Mentoring at MIT

The second annual Award for Excellence in Postdoctoral Mentoring has been dedicated to Jesse Kroll, a prominent professor in civil and environmental engineering as well as chemical engineering, and the director of the Ralph M. Parsons Laboratory. His nomination came from both current and former postdoctoral researchers who recognize his dedication to creating an inclusive environment and supporting their professional growth and research advancement.

Celebrating Exceptional Mentorship

“This award acknowledges the exceptional mentors within our faculty,” stated Jonathan Cottet, a senior postdoc and former vice president of the Postdoctoral Association, during the presentation. “It highlights the critical role of mentorship for postdoctoral scholars who are preparing to become future leaders in academia and science. Faculty members are essential in shaping the academic and career paths of postdocs.”

Each September, the award recipient is celebrated during a lunch organized by the Office of the Vice President for Research in honor of National Postdoc Appreciation Week. This event draws hundreds of postdocs, faculty, and deans together to recognize the significant contributions of the postdoctoral community to research excellence.

Leadership and Support in Research Development

Nominating letters commended Kroll for his compassionate and inclusive leadership style, highlighting his commitment to addressing the research and professional development goals of postdocs. Kroll holds weekly meetings with his team, dedicating time to discuss various aspects such as career development, grant proposals, funding strategies, and job application processes. One nominator expressed, “These meetings have equipped me to lead my own group.”

Another former lab member, now a faculty member, praised Kroll’s ongoing support: “I could not have asked for a more supportive or knowledgeable mentor throughout my academic journey.”

Advancing Atmospheric Chemistry Research

Kroll’s lab focuses on experimental studies aimed at understanding Earth’s atmospheric chemistry. His research team investigates the properties and transformations of organic compounds to assess their impact on air quality and climate change.

“The most rewarding aspect of mentoring postdocs is sharing in the ownership of research direction,” Kroll remarked. “While the postdoc leads the work and defines key questions, it’s essential that this process is collaborative. The mentor’s role is not only to guide progress but also to connect it with broader research goals — including those of the postdoc’s future projects.”

“This shared commitment — ensuring postdocs secure their desired positions afterward — is what makes mentoring so meaningful and enjoyable,” Kroll added.

Recognition and Impact on Postdoctoral Community

The selection process for the Award for Excellence in Postdoctoral Mentoring involves input from the Faculty Postdoctoral Advisory Committee, based on four key criteria. Remarkably, one-third of this year’s nominations came from former postdocs, reflecting the lasting impact mentors have on shaping successful careers.

“Collaborating with the Postdoc Association to enhance the postdoc experience at MIT has been one of my greatest joys as vice president for research,” noted Maria T. Zuber. She, along with Ann Skoczenski, director of MIT Postdoctoral Services, was instrumental in establishing this award last year. “The PDA leaders have effectively addressed recent challenges by creating initiatives that foster community and support for postdocs at MIT.”

The award includes a celebratory lunch for the recipient’s research group and an opportunity to present a seminar on mentoring topics relevant to the postdoctoral community. Last year’s award was presented to Muriel Médard, NEC Professor of Software Science and Engineering in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.