NPA Appoints Engagement Committee Leadership

March 17, 2025

The National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) has appointed two new leaders: Robert Fofrich, Ph.D., as Engagement Committee chair, and Saikat Nandy, Ph.D., as Engagement Committee vice chair.

Fofrich is a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability at the University of California, Los Angeles, and is also a researcher with the Climate Impact Lab. He earned his doctorate in Earth system science from the University of California, Irvine, in 2022, where he studied climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. Fofrich's research seeks to mitigate the anthropogenic causes of climate change and the associated risks to natural and human populations. Within this context, his research has explored a variety of topics, including global energy emissions and transition challenges, carbon sequestration efforts, climate change impacts on global food security, and climate change attribution.

Nandy is a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Biostatistics at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. His research focuses on neuroimage analysis in pediatric cancer survivors, examining spatial trends in tumor spread, the effects of radiation on brain microstructure development, and the subsequent impact on neurocognitive abilities. He earned his doctorate in statistics from the University of Missouri and a Master of Science in mathematics from Georgia State University. His research interests lie at the intersection of public policy and public health, aiming to develop statistical tools that inform decision-making and improve patient outcomes.

In addition to research, Nandy is actively involved in leadership and mentorship. He serve as vice chair of the Career Development Committee on the St. Jude Postdoctoral Leadership Council and previously served on the Outreach Committee. He has also held leadership roles in student councils and program committees. As a mentor in the Emerging Leaders in Biomedical Research program at St. Jude, he guides high school students interested in careers in cancer research and education. He is passionate about fostering an inclusive and supportive scientific community, believing that a strong network of peers is invaluable, especially in challenging times. His goal has always been to create an environment where every voice is heard and members feel valued and recognized.

Beyond his professional work, Nandy is a proud and relatively successful plant dad, having named all 20 of his houseplants. When he is not immersed in research, he enjoy reading and painting.