The first support I ever received for my research activities as a neuroscience student in the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) Medical Scientist Training Program was from the Training Grant in the Neuroscience of Mental Health (5 T32 MH067631-04). Receiving this funding at the start of my PhD studies not only provided a certain degree of financial independence from my laboratory, but also provided additional mentorship, which is essential to development of a thoughtful scientist. At UIC, Dr. Rasenick administers the T32 in a manner that encourages trainees to pursue their scientific goals both inside and outside of the university. He teaches us how to collaborate, and he always makes sure we are aware of current research, education, and grant opportunities in our specific areas of study, so we can sustain our research careers beyond the tenure of the T32. I am currently a resident physician in the Department of Pediatrics at St. Louis Children’s Hospital at Washington University. I have, fortunately, been able to continue research in my primary field of study, and in retrospect, many of the professional and technical skills I have used to practice science in post-graduate study I learned as a T32 trainee.