In the fight against brain tumors, breakthroughs emerge not only from innovative research but also from the strength of mentorship. This National Mentoring Month, we spotlight the inspiring partnership between Dr. Michael Lim, Professor and Chair of Neurosurgery at Stanford University School of Medicine, and Ethan Schonfeld, a driven medical student in Dr. Lim’s laboratory and recipient of the 2024 American Brain Tumor Association’s Medical Student Summer Fellowship. Together, they are pushing the boundaries of glioblastoma research while exemplifying the power of mentorship.
A Shared Passion for Brain Tumor Research
For Dr. Lim, the drive to combat brain tumors began on his first day of medical school. “Our dean told us that we are about to embark on a career where patients give us the privilege of being the first person someone sees in this world, and the last person someone sees in this world,” he recalls. “While caring for cancer patients, I realized I was in the latter part of that statement. I devoted my life to finding ways to overcome cancer and help our patients, particularly those with brain tumors, which not only are aggressive but also affect the essence of who we are.”
Ethan’s journey into brain tumor research was inspired by Dr. Lim’s laboratory. “When I chose to stay at Stanford for medical school, my mentors encouraged me to tackle the biggest challenges in neurosurgery. Glioblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumor, has seen no improvement in its standard of care since 2005. After speaking with Dr. Lim, I was awestruck by his kindness, resolve, and commitment. I knew immediately I wanted to learn from him and work toward the same goals.”
Under Dr. Lim’s mentorship, Ethan’s summer fellowship project sought to overcome glioblastoma’s resistance to immunotherapy. “We combined three promising immunotherapies into one supercharged treatment, delivered via a novel drug delivery method developed in Dr. Lim’s lab,” Ethan explains. This innovative approach, led by Dr. Lim and resident mentor Dr. John Choi, aims to enhance the immune system’s ability to target glioblastoma while minimizing side effects. Read more about Ethan’s fellowship here.
Learning and Growing Together
The mentor-mentee relationship has proven invaluable for both Dr. Lim and Ethan. “Dr. Lim has taught me to think empathetically about the clinical course of patients and to follow results, even when they challenge our hypotheses,” Ethan shares. “He’s created an environment where every idea and experiment contributes to my growth as a researcher.”
Dr. Lim sees mentorship as fundamental to advancing research. “I’ve learned that providing a safe environment for mentees to explore, fail, and learn is critical. Ethan has brought valuable new skills in computational science to our lab, teaching us new ways to approach problems. Mentoring is not just about guiding research—it’s about fostering creativity and collaboration.”
Dr. Lim believes the cure for brain tumors lies in empowering the next generation. “Creativity and the ability to think outside the box are hallmarks of our younger trainees. My goal is to ensure they leave with a deep understanding of the disease, compassion for patients, and a commitment to finding a cure.”
For Ethan, the experience has been transformative. “Every success I’ve had traces back to the mentorship I’ve received. Mentorship is not just about enabling experiments—it’s about learning from those who have changed the field. I urge every student to seek mentors who inspire them to think, explore, and grow.”
As Dr. Lim and Ethan continue their work, their partnership highlights the vital role of mentorship in advancing brain tumor research and improving patient outcomes. Together, they embody the hope and determination that drive progress in the field.
