Scientific advancement relies on a combination of academic preparation and mentoring, which can be particularly challenging in areas such as radiopharmaceutical chemistry and molecular imaging. Mentoring the next group of researchers requires more than the classroom; it also includes structured laboratory-based guidance on experimental design, interdisciplinary research collaborations, and research ethics. The last few decades have seen an increase in universities and research institutions globally, with an emphasis on formalized training programs that incorporate laboratory training alongside theoretical knowledge to prepare future scientists to bridge discovery research and clinical applications, particularly in oncology, given the need for precision and reproducibility.
Jason S. Lewis has made significant contributions to the development of academic training in molecular imaging. As a Professor at the Gerstner Sloan Kettering Graduate School and at Weill Cornell Medical College, Lewis has used a single approach to integrate research, teaching, and mentoring. In addition to his primary appointments, Lewis has held an adjunct appointment at the Medical University of Vienna, indicating a global perspective in academia. The adjunct appointment has enabled him to contribute to curriculum development, research instruction, and the supervision of graduate and postdoctoral students, fostering an environment that promotes scientific rigor and creativity.
Lewis’s philosophy of mentorship emphasizes the importance of laboratory experience, i.e., students working directly in the laboratory and performing experiments ranging from radiotracer synthesis through preclinical imaging studies. With this training format, students gain practical experience and understand the translational relevance of their research. Lewis has directed many graduate theses and postdoctoral projects and has encouraged interdisciplinary collaboration among students trained in chemistry, biology, and clinical oncology. Lewis has established a model for training that can be replicated, extending from initial graduate education through advanced postdoctoral research, by structuring his laboratory to provide mentorship at various levels.
Lewis, along with other teachers, has led federal-funded training initiatives emphasizing interdisciplinary instruction. He is also directing a National Cancer Institute T32 training grant supporting promising scientists who are in molecular imaging and radiopharmaceutical chemistry. These programs are structured, comprehensive courses that combine theoretical training, laboratory study, and clinical experience. Training is focused on experimental design, imaging practices, and translational research strategies. Student involvement in these programs acquires skills that can be applied to molecular imaging, from preclinical research to first-in-human clinical use.
Lewis’ influence is broader not only in the laboratory but also in curriculum development. At the Gerstner Sloan Kettering Graduate School, he has been involved in program and workshop groups focused on chemical design, imaging, and therapeutic strategy. His experience at the Medical University of Vienna allowed him to share his ideas abroad and to encourage cross-institutional exchanges, which help broaden students’ knowledge of global research practices. These efforts emphasize an institutional approach to mentoring that entails a dynamic interconnection between learning in academia and the actual application of science.
Lewis’s approach to mentorship emphasizes reproducibility and scientific integrity. Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows are trained to conduct experiments in detail, perform detailed data analysis, and consider ethical considerations. These practices enable a rapid replication and translation of molecular imaging and radiopharmaceutical chemistry into clinical practice. He also encourages trainees to participate in professional networks and collaborative projects, and to contribute to scientific publications in other areas of learning, such as working with professional contacts in the field.
The impact of Lewis’s mentorship is reflected in the success of his trainees. Many of those who have completed their training under his guidance have gone on to establish independent research programs in academic institutions, industry, and government laboratories. Their work remains essential to molecular imaging research worldwide, underscoring the value of structured mentorship and experience across a variety of research projects. Lewis’s mentorship has also encouraged interdisciplinarity, and training offers trainees a chance to conduct research at the intersection of biology and clinical science, both of which are essential for radiopharmaceutical research to translate.
Lewis also attends workshops, symposiums, and conferences to offer early-career scientists training. In addition, these programs include radiochemistry, imaging practices, and ethical considerations in clinical translation. Lewis has contributed to many other professional development activities for new researchers, preparing them to handle technical and regulatory issues in the field.
Lewis’s research productivity helps ensure an effective mentorship for trainees and provides exposure to challenging projects. He is a professor of conceptual and practical skills and a research writer with over 350 publications. Students and postdoctoral fellows contribute to the preparation and synthesis of novel radiotracers and to demonstrating first-hand experience in translational research. Mentoring, practical research, and professional training provide a combination of re-engineering and training for trainees to self-discover in the field.
Jason S. Lewis illustrates the integration of teaching, mentorship, and educational leadership in molecular imaging. He has established a system through his faculty, staff appointments, and federally funded training programs. His structured guidance includes laboratory practice, theoretical knowledge, ethical research standards, and professional development.
