If you are a mentor or a mentee, this episode is for you! Laura talks with her mentor, Mariana Wolfner, who studies molecular and genetic mechanisms of reproduction in fruit flies. Mariana is a distinguished professor at Cornell University and a member of the National Academy of Sciences. We discuss Mariana's journey through STEM, her emphasis on including diverse perspectives in approaching scientific questions, and the important role of kindness and mentorship in encouraging the next generation of scientists. You'll even learn a new term: the caramel effect! The episode ends with a debrief between Laura and her mentee, Natalia, where they reflect on the benefits that both mentors and mentees get from the mentoring relationship.