My Teaching and Mentorship Evaluations
Michael D. Schultz
Graduate Biomedical Sciences student, Immunology Theme, University of Alabama at Birmingham (Fall 2014-present).
“Davide helps to advise and mentor my experimental technique, design and writing. As a teacher he is not only knowledgeable but also patient and allows his students to advance at their own pace. Davide creates an environment in which it is comfortable for me to learn, and I am more successful for it. When advising, he is able to describe experiments very clearly and makes sure that I understand before continuing. He clearly enjoys teaching and is willing to take time out of his own schedule to ensure my success. Davide is a wonderful role model for those who aspire to teach.”
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gaurav Agrawal
Science and Technology Honors Program student, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham (Summer 2015-present).
“Dr. Botta is a very flexible and understanding mentor who strives to pass his vast knowledge as efficiently as possible, giving me the best possible learning environment in a laboratory setting. Despite his busy schedule, he manages to take time out of his day to teach me critical techniques for my project and makes sure that I am able to deliver an exceptional dissertation before graduation. Apart from his phenomenal teaching skills, Dr. Botta’s charismatic personality makes me feel welcomed in a new environment—sparking my hidden passion for research. All in all, Dr. Botta is an excellent mentor who cares for his mentees in a loving yet professional manner.”
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dingguo Zhang
Graduate Biomedical Sciences student, Cancer Biology Theme, University of Alabama at Birmingham (Fall 2015).
"Dr. Botta was my mentor during my 12-week rotation in the laboratory of Dr. Frances Lund. As a Cancer Biology student, I did not know much about immunology research, and was terrified to start this rotation at first. However, Dr. Botta was nice and very patient with me. He walked me through every step of the experimental design, sharing his vast scientific knowledge and teaching me many novel experimental techniques. His mentorship has improved my critical thinking ability, my confidence in Immunology, and my presentation skills. I think Dr. Botta is the most perfect mentor one could ask for.”
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Teruko Bredemann
Adjunct Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham (Spring and Fall 2015).
“I would like to acknowledge [Davide’s] significant contribution to my [Psychology Capstone PY408] class in giving students positive feedback and insight as to how to understand and present scientific journal articles. He was very friendly and inviting to the students, as well as professional and encouraging. I believe that he was one of the most enjoyable guests I have invited to the class during the past year.”
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Frances Lund
Mentor and Chair of the Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham (2010-present).
“Among the many students and post-doctoral fellows who have worked in my lab, Dr. Botta has been one of my most outstanding trainees. He is hard-working and ambitious but also generous with his time. He writes beautifully and is an excellent lecturer – regardless of whether he is speaking about his own work or discussing a scientific topic.”
Graduate Biomedical Sciences student, Immunology Theme, University of Alabama at Birmingham (Fall 2014-present).
“Davide helps to advise and mentor my experimental technique, design and writing. As a teacher he is not only knowledgeable but also patient and allows his students to advance at their own pace. Davide creates an environment in which it is comfortable for me to learn, and I am more successful for it. When advising, he is able to describe experiments very clearly and makes sure that I understand before continuing. He clearly enjoys teaching and is willing to take time out of his own schedule to ensure my success. Davide is a wonderful role model for those who aspire to teach.”
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gaurav Agrawal
Science and Technology Honors Program student, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham (Summer 2015-present).
“Dr. Botta is a very flexible and understanding mentor who strives to pass his vast knowledge as efficiently as possible, giving me the best possible learning environment in a laboratory setting. Despite his busy schedule, he manages to take time out of his day to teach me critical techniques for my project and makes sure that I am able to deliver an exceptional dissertation before graduation. Apart from his phenomenal teaching skills, Dr. Botta’s charismatic personality makes me feel welcomed in a new environment—sparking my hidden passion for research. All in all, Dr. Botta is an excellent mentor who cares for his mentees in a loving yet professional manner.”
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dingguo Zhang
Graduate Biomedical Sciences student, Cancer Biology Theme, University of Alabama at Birmingham (Fall 2015).
"Dr. Botta was my mentor during my 12-week rotation in the laboratory of Dr. Frances Lund. As a Cancer Biology student, I did not know much about immunology research, and was terrified to start this rotation at first. However, Dr. Botta was nice and very patient with me. He walked me through every step of the experimental design, sharing his vast scientific knowledge and teaching me many novel experimental techniques. His mentorship has improved my critical thinking ability, my confidence in Immunology, and my presentation skills. I think Dr. Botta is the most perfect mentor one could ask for.”
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Teruko Bredemann
Adjunct Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham (Spring and Fall 2015).
“I would like to acknowledge [Davide’s] significant contribution to my [Psychology Capstone PY408] class in giving students positive feedback and insight as to how to understand and present scientific journal articles. He was very friendly and inviting to the students, as well as professional and encouraging. I believe that he was one of the most enjoyable guests I have invited to the class during the past year.”
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Frances Lund
Mentor and Chair of the Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham (2010-present).
“Among the many students and post-doctoral fellows who have worked in my lab, Dr. Botta has been one of my most outstanding trainees. He is hard-working and ambitious but also generous with his time. He writes beautifully and is an excellent lecturer – regardless of whether he is speaking about his own work or discussing a scientific topic.”