Nisha Asok Kumar, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral research associate, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

November 2025

Volunteer role?

POSTDOCket Committee

Years of service at NPA?

Six months.

"As an NPA volunteer editor for the the POSTdocket, I had the opportunity to contribute by reviewing, editing and refining articles. Through this role I could closely collaborate with the authors and engage with the NPA team members.

I chose this role as I strongly support the efforts of the NPA's mission of empowering postdocs. The POSTDOCket provides a platform for postdocs to share their voices, personal experiences, and valuable resources with the broader community and I believe this is one way where we can uplift and support fellow postdocs.

Through this experience, I developed a sharper eye for detail, enhanced my writing and editing skills, learned to manage deadlines effectively, and strengthened my leadership abilities. Overall, it has been a truly fulfilling experience."

Science and research are more than just a profession for me; they’re my passion and how I find meaning in life.

Emily Fabrizio-Stover, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral fellow, Medical University of South Carolina

October 2025

Volunteer role?

Engagement Committee

Years of service at NPA?

One year.

"Transitioning from graduate school to a postdoctoral position meant that I lost many of my built-in volunteer opportunities that helped me stay connected to my community. That’s why I volunteered for the NPA, to give back to postdocs during a challenging time in their careers. Volunteering for the Engagement Committee has been challenging, but also exciting and rewarding! Challenging because we’ve had to define our roles and activities from the ground up, but rewarding because we’re creating community spaces and increasing engagement in ways that the postdoctoral community needs. EnCom members are super passionate and dedicated to the goals of EnCom, because they understand and have felt a need for greater postdoctoral community."

Victoria Hallinan, Ph.D.

Program director for professional development, Yale University

September 2025

Volunteer role?

Resource Development Committee

Years of service at NPA?

Three years.

"I am a member of the Resource Development Committee and volunteered based on input from one of my mentors, Erin Heckler. I volunteered as I am new to the postdoc development field and thought (with Erin's input) the best way to learn about something is to engage with those with more experiences, engage with the latest research and best practices and then distill and curate that knowledge for others. Through volunteering with the NPA, I have learned more about the amazing contributions postdocs make in terms of both their scholarly/teaching work and advocacy efforts and how supporting postdocs is an opportunity both to coach and guide others and to learn and grow myself. This is mirrored in the way volunteering for the NPA has enabled me to connect with colleagues who hold similar roles working with postdocs and who go out of their way to support colleagues in their professional development and to help when facing challenges. Volunteering with the NPA has further honed my skills in communication, assessment and critical thinking -- I use practices and strategies from volunteering in my day-to-day work and my own professional development."

Sook Hollingshead, M.Ed.

Project analyst/international scholar advisor, University of California, Berkeley

June 2025

Volunteer role?

International Committee.

Years of service at NPA?

Approximately 10 years.

"For over 25 years, I have worked with postdocs at three different Universities and on various NAFSA: Association of International Educators committees. However, it has been serving on the NPA International taskforce, assisting with NPA’s resources such as the “Quick Guide to Visas”, and co-presenting at NPA related conferences, including the NPA 2023 International Equity Summit; NAFSA 2024 annual conference; and NPA 2025 annual conference that have reinvigorated my passion and advocacy for handling cultural differences and international administrative bureaucracies to support future innovations and Nobel prize winners. Because even geniuses need a helping hand (and a cup of coffee)."

Caleb McKinney, Ph.D., M.P.S.

Assistant vice president and associate dean in Biomedical Graduate Education, Georgetown University Medical Center

May 2025

Volunteer role?

Diversity Taskforce, IMPACT Taskforce, Board of Directors (Board liaison to Diversity Taskforce, treasurer and chair of Finance, chair of the Board of Directors)

Years of service at NPA?

Eight years.

"I started by volunteer service with the NPA as a Diversity Officer and co-chair of the Diversity taskforce. I then joined the Board of Directors and served as Board Liaison to the Diversity Taskforce. During that time, I co-founded the IMPACT Fellowship program to provide a national community of resources and professional development to an annual cohort of postdocs who are change agents to their communities. For two years, I served as Chair of Finance and Treasurer for the NPA. I have also had the pleasure of serving as Chair of the Board of Directors for the NPA.

"The NPA network is incredibly welcoming, inclusive, and committed to improving the postdoctoral experience. My service to the NPA has been transformative for me, and I have met so many new colleagues and friends outside of my institution who have contributed to my personal and professional development."

Vural Tagal, Ph.D.

Research Scientist, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute

April 2025

Volunteer role?

Meetings Committee co-chair (2022-2025).

Years of service at NPA?

Three years.

"Volunteering with the NPA has been one of the most meaningful and transformative aspects of my postdoctoral journey. I chose to volunteer and lead because I deeply believe in the power of community to uplift and advocate for postdoctoral scholars, who represent the future of innovation, discovery, policy and progress across every field. What I’ve enjoyed and valued most is the sense of purpose, connection and contribution through organizing events, shaping policy discussions, developing resources, mentoring peers, supporting DEI initiatives or simply listening to and addressing the needs of our postdoctoral scholars. This role has not only helped me grow professionally and personally, but has also allowed me to contribute to real, long-lasting change by amplifying the voices of postdocs, fostering impactful resources and helping others feel seen, heard and supported. Serving with the NPA reminded me that even the smallest act can ripple into meaningful change. When we show up for each other, we grow altogether and elevate the entire postdoctoral community."

Amanda Shaver, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow, Johns Hopkins Univeristy

March 2025

Volunteer role?

Postdoc Council/Board of Directors, Resource Development Committee.

Years of service at NPA?

Two years.

"I volunteered with the NPA to create a strong community for postdocs nationwide. I have enjoyed working with the Postdoc Council to connect with postdocs all over the US and learn what we can create to best support all postdocs. Bringing together postdocs from different institutions and backgrounds has been instrumentally powerful and allowed us to generate exciting ideas to transform the future of the postdoctoral position. I know that as we continue to implement these progressive ideas, we will continue to make even better resources and generate more support for postdocs nationwide. Volunteering with the NPA has provided me with one of the strongest and most supportive communities of my postdoctoral experience! I highly recommend volunteering."

Amber Ismael, Ph.D.

Senior Program Manager, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

January 2025

Volunteer role?

Resource Development.

Years of service at NPA?

Seven years.

"I began volunteering with the NPA ResDev committee to support postdocs with an interest in working in a PDO. What I didn’t realize was how much I would learn from being a part of the committee, which has helped me grow in my role supporting postdocs. The community is incredibly welcoming, and I learn so much from talking with other members, hearing different perspectives, and sharing resources. I’m grateful to have a community of people in the NPA who advocate and support postdocs, especially being in a small office at my institution."

Maryanne Long, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Researcher, New Mexico State University

December 2024

Volunteer role?

Workshops and posters subcommittee, Meetings Committee.

Years of service at NPA?

Two years.

"For the NPA, I have volunteered as co-chair of the workshops and posters subcommittee for the annual conference (Seattle 2024 and Boston 2025). I also served as a judge for posters at the Seattle 2024 conference.

At New Mexico State University (NMSU) I co-founded the PDA in 2022 and have since led the association sans a PDO. (However, we have great support from the institution and the association's faculty fellow.) Through the PDA, I promote NPA to postdocs at NMSU as well as faculty, staff, and hopeful postdocs.

My volunteer experience, particularly with the NPA's annual conference committee, has allowed me to meet a great group of dedicated professionals- postdocs and PDO staff from across the country- who volunteer to serve on the subcommittee to review proposals. I also get to see the great postdoc-focused initiatives taking place at universities and research labs across the country. The NPA has provided me with a sense of community with other postdocs, and I have a great time volunteering in these roles.

On a side note, I am transitioning out of my role as a postdoc in January, 2025 as I have accepted the position of Director of Graduate Fellowships and Postdoctoral Affairs at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). So, I look forward to continuing volunteering with the NPA!"

Azmi Ahmad, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Scholar, Yale School of Medicine

November 2024

Volunteer role?

Advocacy Committee.

Years of service at NPA?

Three years.

"As a long-time advocate and volunteer in helping marginalized communities, joining the NPA was a no-brainer. My journey with NPA began in 2022, by joining the Advocacy Committee and working within the Institutional Subcommittee and later leading the Public Policy Subcommittee. I was also elected to join the Postdoc Council and have served as a member there since 2023. Volunteering with the NPA has provided me with a robust community of fellow postdocs that I get to regularly network with online and during the annual conference, In addition, NPA has provided me with instrumental leadership opportunities that helped my skill development and personal growth. The work I lead and contribute to at NPA, such as the RFI responses and NPAW town hall, would not be possible without the help and engagement of all the other volunteers and participants."

Mitali Mishra, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

October 2024

Volunteer role?

Engagement Committee/The POSTDOCket.

Years of service at NPA?

Two years.

"I feel very fortunate to be a NPA volunteer. Being an introvert women researcher myself, I was looking for an option to develop my scientific communication, for which I joined NPA in 2022. I have enjoyed my volunteering phase with NPA, which has helped me establish new connections and improve my scientific aptitude outside my focused research area. It has been a great learning experience for me in terms of professional development and scientific outreach with my community by sharing views, opinions and knowledge through POSTDocket committee. I hope we can collectively make the postdoctoral journey of our future researchers better and memorable. Thank you NPA!"

Rashmi Raj, Ph.D.

Assistant Director of Postdoctoral Affairs, Stowers Institute for Medical Research

September 2024

Volunteer role?

International Officer.

Years of service at NPA?

Two years.

"I received a lot of help as a postdoc and I want to give back to the community and help other postdocs know that they are supported."

Kingsley Omage, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Scholar, Oregon Health and Science University

August 2024

Volunteer role?

Development Committee.

Years of service at NPA?

One year.

"I volunteered for the NPA as a development committee member to enhance my professional growth, as well as connect and collaborate with stakeholders within and outside the postdoctoral community. My time with the NPA development committee has availed me the opportunity to identify and acquire resources that are useful for achieving its goal and mission."

Matthew Aguirre, Ph.D.

Director, Graduate Student Services, University of Nevada, Reno

July 2024

Volunteer role?

Diversity Officer.

Years of service at NPA?

Four years.

"The people at NPA have been great to work with and very supportive community. I couldn't ask for a better organization to work with all while making positive changes for postdocs."

Billy Nash, Ph.D.

Senior Scientist, University of Virginia

June 2024

Volunteer role?

Advocacy Committee.

Years of service at NPA?

Two years.

"Volunteering with the NPA has been an invaluable experience for me. The NPA Advocacy Committee offers a professional yet friendly environment to learn about the breadth and depth of issues postdocs face in today's society. And, importantly, it provides a space to think critically about those issues, generate possible ways to address them, and concretely work towards those goals. I am proud and thankful to be a part of the Advocacy Committee and the important work it performs."

Heather Dillon, M.Sc.

Program Manager, Postdoc Professional Development, University of California San Diego

May 2024

Volunteer role?

National Postdoc Appreciation Week Taskforce (2020-2022); Resource Development Committee (2022-present); Core Components Taskforce (2023 - present).

Years of service at NPA?

Four years.

"I am so grateful to have the opportunity to work with other dedicated professionals towards enhancing the experience for postdocs and support systems for postdoc offices. By volunteering with the NPA I feel like I am making a difference while also getting the chance to connect with wonderful people who share my values and goals."

Dongfang Li, Ph.D.

Program Manager, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

March 2024

Volunteer role?

Chair of the awards subcommittee of 2024 NPA Annual Conference.

Years of service at NPA?

One year.

"I served as the chair for awards subcommittee of 2024 NPA Annual Conference. It was such a wonderful experience to get involved in NPA initiatives and planning. This experience helped me to find my job as a program manager this year in Cancer Center of St. Jude."

Tanya Paes, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Research Associate, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
International Officer, NPA

February 2024

"I've served in a variety of roles at the NPA, including International Officer and co-chairing both the Core Components Task Force recommending postdoctoral policies and practices and the International Equity Summit.

"The NPA allows me to be creative. As an NPA IMPACT Fellow, I built a professional and career development program at Purdue University. Two years later, I returned to this concept and used it while co-leading the NPA International Equity Summit.

"Leading the NPA International Equity Summit was a memorable volunteer experience. My work led directly to in-depth discussions surrounding issues such as understanding immigration policies, supporting the health and wellness of postdocs, improving the overall postdoctoral experience, and finding paths forward!

"It's exciting to improve the experiences for the postdoctoral community! I've fed off the energy and passion of my fellow NPA volunteers. The sense of camaraderie and working towards a common goal has been thrilling!"