The Research Mentor Experience: Helping Students Publish

My journey into scientific publishing began in my 1st semester of college. My 1st mentor, my general biology professor, shared that he had published a 1st author publication during his undergraduate career-this served as my inspiration for my publishing journey. It became my dream to contribute original ideas to the scientific literature. Through dedicated mentorship, that dream became a reality—I was fortunate to publish two first-author papers before graduating. That experience not only validated my passion for science but also instilled in me the importance of guidance and opportunity.

Now, mentoring high school students as they publish their first scientific articles—even earlier than I did—is one of the most rewarding parts of my career. These young minds are determined, passionate, and scientifically exceptional. Supporting their publishing journey is not only a privilege but a testament to how mentorship can unlock potential well ahead of schedule and help them chart a highly productive career in STEM.

This blog offers a behind-the-scenes look at publishing from a mentor's perspective, aimed at helping high school students navigate this seemingly daunting and opaque process. 

Navigating the Initial Stages of Research Mentorship

Identifying Publishable Ideas

One of the first challenges is recognizing what kind of research is suitable for publication. High school students typically work within time (school, ECs, and college apps are a lot!) and resource (access to labs, reagents, safety equipment, etc.) constraints, so choosing the right format—original research versus a literature review—is key. Reviews allow students to engage deeply with current research and synthesize ideas in a novel way, often without needing lab access. Original research, though more demanding, can come from summer internships, publicly available datasets, and/or suitable and safe at-home data-generating activities.

Developing a Strong Proposal or Pitch

Before diving into writing, students benefit from developing a strong proposal. This serves as a roadmap and should highlight the novelty and significance of their work. Is their question unique? Are they building upon or challenging existing paradigms? Rigor—clarity of methods, structured argumentation, objective experimentation/interpretation, and logical flow—is just as crucial as novelty.

Finding the Right Publisher

Students should consider both their goals and timelines when choosing where to publish. High school-focused journals, open-access platforms, and even preprint servers like Polygence’s Research Archive of Rising Scholars are great starting points. I recommend identifying and ranking 3–5 journals based on turnaround time, prestige, and relevance to the student’s topic. In my experience, finding the right journal for your work, e.g. a good research fit, is of paramount importance. 

Supporting the Writing Process and Education

The Mentor’s and Showcasing Specialist’s Role

Mentors help students develop an outline, build strong scientific skills, and and guide the article preparation process. Writing a first manuscript is daunting, so breaking the process into manageable steps—outlining, drafting, and polishing—can make it more approachable. Showcasing Specialists, as part of Polygence’s Premium Showcasing Support program, complement this by providing editorial support, helping shape tone and clarity for publication standards.

Importance of Feedback and Revisions

Feedback comes from multiple sources—mentors, specialists, writing coaches through Polygence’s Writing Feedback program, and reviewers. Each plays a unique role:

• Mentor: Ensures scientific accuracy and relevance.

• Writing Coach: Helps with structure, tone, and logical flow.

• Showcasing Specialist: Aligns the piece with publishing standards.

• Reviewers: Provide external validation and critique from a field perspective.

Learning to embrace revisions is a pivotal step in becoming a professional scientist. It reinforces that science is an iterative process, not a one-and-done task.

Balancing Time Investment and Output

Students often juggle multiple responsibilities—schoolwork, extracurriculars, and personal commitments. It’s important to balance ambition with realism. A review paper might be achievable in a few months, while experimental work may require longer timelines. Mentors help students align the scope of their work with their personal goals and schedules. Reminder, this is more than likely the 1st of many publications you will enjoy should you continue in STEM. 

Understanding IRBs

If the project involves human subjects (e.g., surveys or interviews), Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval may be needed. While this can feel overwhelming, mentors help students navigate whether they need IRB exemption or full approval, and how to document their ethics practices appropriately. Polygence also offers guidance on this process.

Submission Guidance

Authorship

Students are typically the first author of their manuscript, but mentor crediting varies. If a mentor contributed to designing the project, writing, and data interpretation, they may be listed as co-authors.  In some situations, a mentor may opt not to be an author due to personal preferences and professional obligations.  In other cases, an acknowledgment may suffice. This should be discussed early to ensure transparency and agreement.

Submission Etiquette

Every journal has specific submission guidelines. These include formatting, citation style, figure placement, and word count. Tools like Zotero make citation management easier. It's important to double-check journal requirements to avoid desk rejections due to technicalities.

Understanding Reviews and Managing Expectations

Manuscripts are often met with a “revise and resubmit” decision or outright rejection. This is normal—even for experienced scientists. Mentors/Showcasing Specialists help students interpret feedback, identify actionable changes, and decide whether to revise for the same journal or submit elsewhere. The key is to stay persistent and realistic.

Timelines

From submission to publication, the process can take anywhere from a few weeks to over six months. That’s why preprint servers are helpful—they allow students to share their work quickly while waiting for formal peer review. Preprint servers are increasingly the norm in many STEM fields, including computer science, physics, and biomedical sciences. Students should be aware of this overall timeline and not be discouraged by the slow pace.

Post-submission

Handling Rejection and Criticism

Rejection is part of the scientific process. The first reaction may be disappointment, but it’s essential to frame it as a learning experience. Students should revisit the feedback with their mentor/showcasing specialist and decide on the next steps—revise, resubmit, or pivot to another outlet.

The Importance of Grit

Publishing teaches students grit. It takes persistence, humility, and critical thinking. These are not just research skills—they’re life skills that serve students well in any discipline. Research has shown that, grit is a major predictor of success across industries/careers- this is a great opportunity to develop it at an early career stage. 

This Is Just the Start

One publication isn’t the end goal—it’s the beginning of a journey. Many students go on to pursue more complex research in college and beyond. The confidence gained from publishing in high school often shapes their academic and career trajectory.

The Impact of Early Research Mentorship

Publishing as a high school student is bold, ambitious, and completely achievable with the right guidance. It’s a process that cultivates curiosity, discipline, and communication skills that transcend scientific publishing.

As a mentor who benefited from early publishing opportunities myself, I view it as both a duty and a joy to support young scholars in their journeys. With thoughtful mentorship, realistic planning, and a willingness to grow, high school students can become confident contributors to the world of scientific research, which is why research mentorship is important for driven students.

For students seeking structured support and expert guidance, Polygence offers a range of programs designed to make this journey more accessible and rewarding. Here’s how Polygence helps young researchers thrive...

The Role of Polygence in Research Mentorship

At Polygence, we understand that early research mentorship can transform curiosity into meaningful scientific contributions. Our tailored offerings are designed to support high school students every step of the way. Through Polygence Pods, students join small, focused groups where they collaborate, learn, and grow together under expert guidance. Our personalized mentorship programs connect students with experienced researchers who provide hands-on support, from developing research questions to navigating publication. Additionally, Polygence’s comprehensive research programs offer structured pathways for high schoolers to engage in original or review research projects, gain real-world experience, and prepare their work for publication. With Polygence, ambitious young scholars gain the mentorship, resources, and community needed to confidently launch their scientific careers.