P. Hemachandra Reddy Calls for Greater Support in Expanding Student Mentorship and Early-Career Scientific Guidance

Renowned professor urges community involvement to help close the mentorship gap in STEM

LUBBOCK, TX / ACCESS Newswire / December 3, 2025 /Dr. Hemachandra Reddy, longtime professor and Fellow of multiple national scientific organizations, is raising awareness about the urgent need for stronger student mentorship and early-career support in science, technology, engineering, and medical research. Drawing from nearly three decades of academic and research leadership, Dr. Reddy is advocating for a community-driven effort to provide students with access to experienced scientific mentors-especially retired researchers whose knowledge often goes unused.

"During my own journey from India to London University and then to the NIH, mentorship shaped every major turning point, " Dr. Reddy said. "I would not be where I am today without the people who gave me guidance when I needed it most. We need to make sure the next generation receives the same support. "

Recent figures highlight the gap Dr. Reddy is speaking about. According to the National Science Foundation, nearly 40% of STEM undergraduates report having no mentor at all. Additionally, the Council of Graduate Schools notes that students with mentorship are 20% more likely to complete advanced degrees and 35% more likely to publish research early in their careers. Yet an estimated 50,000+ retired U.S. scientists and medical researchers possess valuable experience with no structured avenue to share it.

Dr. Reddy believes this disconnect is a major loss for young scholars and for the future of scientific innovation. "So many retired researchers hold decades of practical wisdom-failures, breakthroughs, lessons learned, " he explained. "Their knowledge shouldn 't disappear when they retire. Students need to hear real stories, not just read textbooks. "

In interviews, he has spoken openly about the habits and strategies that shaped his own path. "Every important idea in my career began with a simple question, " he said. "Mentors taught me how to ask better questions. That 's something students rarely learn on their own. "

He also noted that mentorship goes far beyond academic success. It supports mental clarity, resilience, and decision-making. "When I feel overwhelmed or unfocused, I step away and read something unrelated to science, " Reddy said. "Students often don 't get taught those coping tools. A mentor can change how they navigate pressure. "

Dr. Reddy points out that this is not a call for large donations or complex programs-his emphasis is on what individuals can do with the resources they already have. "You don 't have to start an organization to make an impact, " he said. "If you 're a professional, offer one hour a month to a student. If you 're retired, share your experience. If you 're a student, ask someone you admire for a conversation. Small, consistent actions can build a culture of guidance. "

Studies support the impact of this approach. Research from Harvard 's Center for Education Policy shows that even minimal mentorship-one conversation every few weeks-can improve student confidence by 22% and increase long-term career clarity by up to 40%.

Dr. Reddy, who founded the Reddy Family Foundation to support student scholarships, says this movement is about more than academic achievement. "Some of the most important lessons in my career came from failures, " he added. "A mentor helped me see those failures not as endings but as data. That perspective is transformative. "

Dr. Reddy encourages individuals-professionals, retirees, educators, and community members-to take small steps that collectively create large impact:

• Offer an hour of guidance to a student interested in your field
• Share a personal story of a career setback and what you learned
• Encourage students to take device-free walks to clear their thinking
• Discuss daily habits that support clear focus, such as writing or reflection
• Connect a student with another professional who may offer insight

"Mentorship doesn 't need to be formal to be powerful, " Dr. Reddy said. "It begins with one conversation, one question, one shared experience. "

For more information on Dr. Reddy 's work or to learn how to support student mentorship initiatives, individuals may reach out to local universities, community education programs, or scientific organizations in their area.

Contact: info@hemachandrareddy.com

SOURCE: P. Hemachandra Reddy

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