Andre is an undergraduate I currently supervise. He is working in my lab for six months before he graduates and begins his PhD thesis. Recently, he reassured me by saying that I do a good job as a supervisor — I think that learning how to supervise is a responsibility and skill one should learn early on in one's career.

Although some people feel that training young scientists is a nuisance or a waste of time and energy, I see a challenge in contributing to the development of a potentially excellent scientist. Also, one can benefit from taking on this role. Over the past few years a couple of our students have earned publications — which ultimately benefits the lab.

Supervision needs good communication and an open-minded and fair approach. My experience has taught me that science is basically knowledge management, so you must talk with your whole team regularly, to point out recent developments and identify threats and opportunities to the project.

Such communication isn't always the norm — perhaps because some academics prefer to work alone and others use a ‘hands-off’ approach. So I have learned the importance of compatibility — whether you will be supervising or being supervised.