Tari Tan

What is the significance of the object you brought with you to the photo shoot?
My work is strongly driven by my students - learning from them, being inspired by them, and wanting to redesign educational structures and learning experiences to more equitably serve them. It's for this reason that I selected to bring a sampling of the cards and notes that my students and mentees have written to me over the years. I keep these notes displayed in my office and/or electronically filed in my email inbox as little pick-me-ups when the work is particularly challenging or stressful. I am always touched when students take the time to write to me, and I feel immensely honored to be able to play even a small part in the personal and professional journeys of our talented HMS trainees.

What are you most proud of about your work at HMS/HSDM?
I'm proud of the enriching relationships that I have developed with students and colleagues at HMS, and I am especially proud of instances when I've been able to work collaboratively with a team to effect positive change within our community. Whether working to develop a new training program to broaden participation in STEM, creating new support structures for trainees, or optimizing administrative processes to enhance graduate education, I love that | have the opportunity to work with so many talented and caring individuals who are all aligned in our desire to make education more accessible and equitable for all.