The Graduate School is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2025 Dean's Awards, recognizing excellence in mentoring, teaching, and inclusive initiatives. The Dean’s Awards for Excellence in Mentoring recognizes the considerable efforts and accomplishments of faculty and graduate students who consistently serve as effective mentors. Designed to allow the university community to identify faculty and graduate students who embody both the letter and spirit of mentoring, these awards are important examples of the university’s continuing efforts to cultivate a culture of mentoring.
Congratulations to Marta Mulawa for being a recipient of the 2025 Dean's Award for Excellence in Mentoring!
“Marta never wavered in her support of me and offered countless hours of her time helping to expand my ideas, grow my understanding in methodology, and become a stronger writer.”
Marta Mulawa, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of nursing and global health. Mulawa earned a B.A. in Community Health and Child Development from Tufts University in 2006, an M.H.S. in International Health from Johns Hopkins University in 2008, and a Ph.D. in Health Behavior from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2016.
Mulawa was a Predoctoral Fellow at UNC-CH’s Gillings School and a Postdoctoral Scholar at the Duke Global Health Institute. She then moved into the role of Assistant Professor and Assistant Research Professor at the School of Nursing and Duke Global Health Institute, respectively.
Mulawa’s research explores social and behavioral factors of HIV treatment and prevention, focusing on how social networks influence HIV-related behaviors. She received a K01 Mentored Research Scientist Development Award from the National Institute of Mental Health to fund the development of a mobile health intervention to promote ART adherence through community engagement.
A profile on Dr. Mulawa shares excerpts from her nomination, as well as some of her thoughts on mentorship.
"When I first started mentoring, I focused most of my energy on providing the “right answers” to my mentees’ questions. I remember worrying that I would not have the right information they needed. Over time, I have realized that asking the “right questions” is much more valuable when guiding a mentee. Now, I focus much more on listening actively and asking thoughtful follow-up questions so that I can guide my mentees in developing their own solutions."
Congratulations on this well-deserved award! Dr. Mulawa was recognized at a Graduate School ceremony.
Read more about Dr. Mulawa and the Dean's Awards.