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"The best science is conducted when we have the most inclusive group of people involved. You can't possibly have the best minds at the table if you exclude certain groups." This is at the heart of what drives Gilda Barabino's mentoring. She continues, "I am immensely dedicated to broadening the community of science simply because I do not want us to lose talent."

Dr. Gilda Barabino has served as the primary mentor/advisor or co-advisor to 56 individuals in Ph.D., Master's, and undergraduate programs as well as two post-doctoral fellows. Thirty-eight of the 56 mentees are from groups traditionally underrepresented in engineering and other science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, and 19 mentees are currently pursuing additional STEM education and training at universities such as Yale, Georgia Tech, Howard and Duke. Six mentees are professionally employed as instructors and professors at universities, including Harvard and Brown, and in K-12 schools. Her mentees have earned prestigious awards under her tutelage, including National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowships, and a NSF-supported Facilitating Academic Careers in Engineering and Science (FACES) Fellowship at Georgia Tech. Thirty-one mentees have pursued successful careers in industry, rising to positions such as Senior Scientist, Principal Engineer, Chief Technology Officer, and Global Vice President at an array of international technology, pharmaceutical and research institutions. Twenty-six undergraduates from minority groups have participated in research experiences under her supervision.

Barabino is the founder of the National Institute for Faculty Equity, and her NSF-funded Minority Facuity Development Workshops take a comprehensive approach to promoting identity formation and socialization processes, providing timely assistance in areas such as interdisciplinary research and access to research funding. Her workshops have served all
engineering disciplines and underrepresented minorities since 2006, positively influencing the careers of more than 400 participants from across the nation. As a result of its success, this workshop model will expand via additional NSF funding (through the Broadening Participation in Engineering program) to support a five-year series of professional development activities for underrepresented groups in engineering.

She is the recipient of the Biomedical Engineering Society's Diversity Award and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers' Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Barabino is the Principal or Co-principal Investigator for major NSF-funded projects under the Integrated Graduate Education and Research Traineeship and the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation programs as well as the ADVANCE program for women in academic careers. She was selected to be a participant in the first Joint Meeting of Women Chemists from the U.S. to China.