Rochelle Hines is an associate professor and the co-founder of the at 51ԹϺ. Her research is aimed at understanding neurodevelopmental processes under normal and pathological conditions, which include autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, and developmental epilepsies.
Her journey as a researcher has included both loss and joy. She will share more during the spring installment of the Graduate College’s My Professional Origin Story speaker series.
What are a few of the defining moments of your educational journey?
In the fourth year of my Ph.D., my mentor died tragically and unexpectedly. Not only was this a devastating loss, but it has had a lasting impact on my training and professional journey. It seemed so impossible to finish my Ph.D. research without my mentor. I was faced with writing up and submitting our papers, responding to reviewer feedback, and getting everything across the finish line. And, I did. Through this experience I learned my capacity; I discovered that I was stronger than I had known.
Describe a time when a mentor made an impact on your life.
Toward the end of my undergraduate studies, I was in the photocopy room copying a journal article (yes, I am that old), and one of the senior faculty members came in. Upon seeing me, he asked abruptly, “Do you know what your problem is?" I wasn’t sure I had a problem, at least that he should be aware of, and I stared and stammered struggling to respond. He continued, “Your problem is that you have no confidence."
My initial reaction was dismissal, but I could not get the interaction out of my head. It forced me to reflect on what was actually holding me back from applying to graduate programs and pursuing a Ph.D. I began to wonder if this person could see me more clearly than I saw myself, if he had more confidence in me than I had for myself.
If you could give advice to a younger version of yourself, what would you say?
Early in my training, I tended to take things too personally or let them impact me too deeply; a failed experiment, negative reviews on a manuscript, a grant that was not funded. I understand this to be a part of my passion and drive, and I still see it as essential to feel, internalize and analyse these experiences, but now I can remind myself to take them a little more “lightly."
In the words of Aldous Huxley, “Learn to do everything lightly. Yes, feel lightly even though you’re feeling deeply. Just lightly let things happen and lightly cope with them.”
Can you share a few words about the photo that you selected to highlight your story?
[Rochelle's husband, Dustin Hines, is also an associate professor in the psychology department and will be presenting with her as part of the series.] We selected photos of our shared adventures, our shared experiences and triumphs.
We have been one another’s best collaborator, most trusted climbing partner, biggest admirer, most honest sounding board, and wholly loyal confidante.
Some people wonder how we can work together so closely, as we have done for 20 years, but it is in our togetherness that we have done so many things.
