When Dr. Judy Cole joined the University of Memphis Department of Biological Sciences in 2003, she established a legacy of mentorship.

That same passion to mentor the next generation of scientists will continue through the Institute for Agricultural and Conservation Research and Education (ACRE) Trainee Assistantship Grant. Cole established the endowment in 2025 shortly before passing away in June.

Her vision for creating the Trainee Assistantship Grant (TAG) was to support the next generation of researchers in agriculture and conservation. A strong advocate of collaborative research, Cole wanted to give students across all levels — undergraduate, master and doctorate — access to “explore, discover and lead” in science.

The grant provides financial assistance for research expenses, conference travel, training workshops or fieldwork that aligns with ACRE’s mission of training the next generation of innovators through scientific research and collaboration.

“To give back to your own university at the end, I do think that’s really rare in academia,” Dr. Jennifer Mandel, director of ACRE said. “She had so much passion for students and what they needed. She gave time serving on research committees and spent time reading their work and thinking about ways she could help them improve. She was always invested in the trainees. She really saw that there was a need — no matter how big or how small — and that for a student it’s a big deal. An award can boost your confidence and take you to a conference or workshop that you never would have gotten to go to.”

Among those students is third-year Biological Sciences Master’s student Amira Noui who is the first recipient of the TAG fund. Noui will use the funding to deepen her understanding of evolutionary biology and to make connections with researchers studying microbial communities and allow her to attend Evolution 2025 conference.

Mandel worked with Cole to create the proposal for the grant. She said Cole wanted the award to be available across campus and not just to students in the Department of Biological Sciences. Cole was adamant that there be flexibility for students to decide how to use the fund to further their research whether that be purchasing a pipette, reagent or going to a conference.

“This ties back to her deep and broad understanding of science,” Mandel said. “That science isn’t just at the bench. It’s not just in the field.”

Always a champion for increasing the number of women in the STEM discipline, Cole welcomed new faculty members with open arms.

“When I started in 2014 it was January and an off cycle, traditionally new faculty start in the fall. It was tough in that I didn’t meet new faculty like I would have in the fall.” Mandel said. “Within the first week or two of being here, Dr. Cole was like, ‘I’m taking you to lunch.’ She told me, ‘I’m here to support you, I’m here to give you advice…if you want it.’”

Mandel took her advice, which was to seek additional faculty mentors on campus. That mentor was Abby Parrill-Baker, professor emeritus in the Department of Chemistry. Mandel said that connection helped her throughout her career at the UofM. “Without Judy’s suggestion and making that connection, I would not have formed that relationship. And she didn’t just do that for me; she did this for anybody. She was always there to talk to you about what you needed to talk about. She did this for students too.”

Cole had the same impact on Malle Carrasco-Harris (’20). “Dr. Judy Cole’s life calling was student mentorship. Her open-door policy meant that anyone could sit beside her desk to seek help or advice, creating an environment that fostered more than just academic support. For me, that welcoming atmosphere was life-changing.”

Carrasco-Harris contemplated leaving graduate school.

It was Cole who influenced her to stay by offering to be a mentor and academic advisor and even connected Carrasco-Harris to an off-campus research advisor who aligned with her interests.

“Thanks to Dr. Cole, I remained in graduate school despite my insecurities and doubts,” she said.

“She became much more than an academic advisor; she was my biggest cheerleader as I applied for the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program, listened intently as I discussed my statistical methods and even encouraged me to take a literal hike when I felt overwhelmed. With her characteristic smirk, she patiently tolerated my justifications for taking additional courses in other departments.”

Carrasco-Harris successfully defended her dissertation right before the pandemic lockdowns began. “There was no one prouder than Dr. Cole on that day,” Carrasco-Harris said. She remained close to Cole over the years as she embarked on a career in data analysis. Today, Carrasco-Harris is programs manager for the Overton Park Conservancy.

An avid scientist, Cole, whose research focused on cell signaling, often read scientific journals. “She was in hospice when I last saw her, and when she put away her iPad, I’m pretty sure she had a scientific paper on there. She read so much outside of her field, she understood things and could make those connections.”

Cole wanted to give students this same skillset through understanding how to effectively and critically read a scientific paper. She even taught a course on it. “It was a passion of hers to pass on her love of reading science and understanding science to the next generation,” Mandel said.

She also taught her students the importance of some decisions deserving more thoughtful consideration.

“This practice of hitting the pause button has proven invaluable in my career, allowing me to approach challenges with greater clarity and confidence. I owe this important lesson to Dr. Cole, whose guidance has shaped my decision-making process in profound ways,” Carrasco-Harris said. “Dr. Judy Cole’s impact on my life and career, as well as on the lives of countless other students, will resonate for years to come.”