The Department of Psychology is proud to celebrate Dr. Sabine Doebel, Assistant Professor of Psychology at George Mason University and a member of the Applied Developmental Psychology program, for receiving the OSCAR Mentoring Excellence Award.
The OSCAR Mentoring Excellence Award recognizes outstanding members of the Mason community who mentor undergraduate students in research and creative activities while fostering a culture of student scholarship. In empirical disciplines such as psychology, this mentorship often involves hands-on research experiences that allow students to actively engage in the research process under faculty guidance.
Dr. Doebel’s mentorship focuses on helping students grow as researchers while developing the skills and confidence needed for their future careers. Reflecting on her experience working with undergraduate researchers, Dr. Doebel shared that one of the most rewarding aspects of mentorship is getting to know students and supporting their individual growth.
“I enjoy getting to know students and fostering their curiosity, skill development, and professionalism,” Dr. Doebel explained. “I meet students from many different backgrounds with different personalities and goals. They are all bright and excited to gain research experience, and I enjoy figuring out what will work best for them and helping them succeed.”
Through her mentorship, Dr. Doebel hopes students not only develop strong research skills but also gain the adaptability needed to navigate an evolving professional landscape.
“My hope is that students become confident in their skills while also recognizing what they still need to learn,” she said. “That awareness helps them take the steps needed to achieve their goals and adapt to the many changes in the employment landscape.”
One mentorship experience that stands out involved two undergraduate students who approached Dr. Doebel to serve as a mentor for their honors theses. Recognizing an opportunity for collaboration, she helped the students design a joint research project that allowed them to collect data together while also developing and analyzing their own components of the study.
The students presented their research multiple times at Mason and later at a national conference. Both students went on to continue their academic careers in graduate programs in psychology-related fields. The students later shared with Dr. Doebel that their experiences in her lab helped them feel confident in pursuing further academic opportunities.
For undergraduate students interested in research, Dr. Doebel encourages them to remain open to new experiences and to embrace the learning process.
“Be open to opportunities, embrace hard work, and seek out constructive feedback,” she advised. “Students who do these things often have the most meaningful learning experiences and gain valuable skills that prepare them for future challenges.”
The Department of Psychology congratulates Dr. Sabine Doebel on this well-deserved recognition and celebrates her dedication to mentoring undergraduate researchers and supporting student success.
March 25, 2026