"Rus is a PhD student for Sanford Burham Prebys in the Snyder Lab. I have had the honor of being mentored by, working, and growing with him over the last three years. Rus is the person in lab who is always there to help. He is the kind of person that everyone goes to for a second opinion. Whether that is for a email draft or troubleshooting an experiment. During his time as a PhD student he has been mentor to many interns (myself included) and has worked to challenge them and build them up as great scientists. As a coworker, he manages to keep everyone's spirits up whether it be with surprise donuts or his ridiculous science jokes. He is also amazing at mediating conflicts by coming into them with an unbiased lens. He will have your back but will also tell you when you have messed up and hold you accountable. It's my belief that EVERY lab would benefit from a guy like Rus. Someone who helps with the small (stocking) and the big (milestones) and who helps to maintain a calm, joyful, and productive lab space."

Nominated by Zumi Alvarado, Sanford Burnham Prebys, United States