Sheikh Umar Ahmad, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Wisconsin-Madison

I identify as...

An international postdoc

What does being a postdoc mean to you? How do you explain it to family and friends? "I am a postdoc and I am…."

Pushing my wheels forward to seek more knowledge, learn more and hone my skills to be able to serve humanity in whatever the capacity I can.

What inspired you to become a postdoc/researcher in your chosen area?

It was simply out of my passion for this subject. Choosing this subject as a career option was a challenging job at the time when I started my career journey owing to the less facilities and availability of jobs in this field in my country, but that thing never hindered my journey as a researcher as I got multiple opportunities across the globe and finally settled to one where I am working right now.

Hani Alrefai, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Scholar, University of Cincinnati

I identify as...

An international postdoc

What does being a postdoc mean to you? How do you explain it to family and friends? "I am a postdoc and I am…."

Pushing the wheels of human knowledge forward.

What do you do outside of your postdoc life? Parent? Juggle? Volunteer? Tell us more!

A parent and an expat.

Srishti Baid, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Michigan

I identify as...

An international postdoc

What inspired you to become a postdoc/researcher in your chosen area?

Over the years, I have been involved in multiple areas of research. enjoy science and the flexibility that comes with research. I like learning new things, the thrill of a successful experiment and the logic of troubleshooting experiments. My family has been extremely supportive and inspirational in letting me pursue what I wanted. Additionally, I have had some incredible mentors and friends who have made me what I am today.

What do you hope to accomplish with your research/chosen career path?

I hope to make a difference with the knowledge that I have gained so far. I enjoy science communication, and I strive to make science as easy to understand, accessible to help people feel empowered and understand it's depth!

Beatriz Baselga Cervera, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Associate, University of Minnesota

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Christina Baze, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Arizona

I identify as...

A first-generation graduate, a person with a disability

What does being a postdoc mean to you? How do you explain it to family and friends? "I am a postdoc and I am…."

NOT a student! I am a research professional, doing research, while also gaining additional experience and training.

What inspired you to become a postdoc/researcher in your chosen area?

During my Master's program in science teaching, I had the option to do a research thesis or a practical project - I chose the former, and immediately fell in love with research. After getting my Ph.D., I found a great postdoc position in my home state, near family. I took it in a heartbeat!

Angela Burrow, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Associate, Cornell University

What does being a postdoc mean to you? How do you explain it to family and friends? "I am a postdoc and I am…."

I am a postdoc and I am studying wildlife, mostly frogs and salamanders, and their habitats to ensure that we can continue to have them well into the future. Today's world is changing rapidly and wildlife has many stressors to overcome; my work shines a light on how wildlife is coping and how we can help.

What inspired you to become a postdoc/researcher in your chosen area?

Curiosity and a love for the natural world. I also love puzzles and we just don't know much about amphibians so it's exciting to learn new things!

What do you do outside of your postdoc life? Parent? Juggle? Volunteer? Tell us more!

Outside of my postdoc I'm still an animal lover. My favorite things to do involve spending time with my husband, dogs, and horse in the great outdoors!

Selina Bruckner, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Scholar, Auburn University

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Natalie Chen, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Scholar, Caltech

A funny incident/story that happened during your postdoc.

During my first lab meeting I presented an Excel sheet of genes of interest one of was a gene called March6, which Microsoft Excel then autocorrected to “06-Mar” because it looked like a date. So I presented on the date “March 6” all thanks to Microsoft autocorrect.

What inspired you to become a postdoc/researcher in your chosen area?

I was wholly inspired by the idea that understanding the precise molecular mechanisms that govern our cells is the key to understanding how to repair our cells, and consequently, ourselves.

What do you do outside of your postdoc life? Parent? Juggle? Volunteer? Tell us more!

I run a lot! During my last year of my Ph.D., the pandemic had just shut the world down. I was stuck at home (without even lab access), twiddling my thumbs, trying to put together some semblance of a dissertation. The only thing I could do every day without fail? Run. I started increasing my mileage and speed, and as soon as I started my postdoc I participated in my first half marathon race. Now I am training for my first full marathon.

Shashank Chetty, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Scholar, Stanford University

I identify as...

An international postdoc.

What does being a postdoc mean to you? How do you explain it to family and friends? "I am a postdoc and I am…."

I am a postdoc, and I am an explorer at the frontier of scientific discovery. To me, being a postdoc means dedicating myself to the pursuit of new knowledge and innovative solutions to pressing challenges in science and medicine. It is a time of intellectual growth, where I refine my expertise while learning to navigate the complexities of leadership, collaboration, and independent research. As a postdoc, I have the privilege of contributing to cutting-edge advancements in regenerative medicine, nanotechnology, and stem cell therapies, driven by the ultimate goal of improving lives. My role involves not just conducting experiments but also thinking creatively to solve complex problems, mentoring future scientists, and translating research into impactful outcomes. When I explain my work to family and friends, I say: ""I am a postdoc, and I am someone who works to uncover how the smallest building blocks of life can be harnessed to solve some of the biggest health challenges. I am like a detective, studying cells, molecules, and therapies to make breakthroughs that could change how we treat diseases. My work is a mix of curiosity, innovation, and persistence, and while it’s not always easy to see immediate results, it’s part of a larger mission to make the world a healthier place." For me, being a postdoc is about passion and perseverance—a commitment to learning, discovery, and contributing to the greater good through science.

Tafadzwa Chihanga, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Research Associate, Cincinnati Children's Hospital

I identify as...

An international postdoc.

What does being a postdoc mean to you? How do you explain it to family and friends? "I am a postdoc and I am…."

a puzzle solver! Understanding how cancer develops and how discovery science can be used in translational research for the innovation of new treatment modalities is what I do. My nerdy curiosity is satisfied and the cherry on top is my work impacts health outcomes for affected individuals.

What do you hope to accomplish with your research/chosen career path?

I want to change lives and positively impact health outcomes.

Melissa Cooper, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow, NYU

I identify as...

A first-generation graduate.

What inspired you to become a postdoc/researcher in your chosen area?

Neuroscience is such an unexplored frontier of medicine - and tells us who we are.

What do you hope to accomplish with your research/chosen career path?

I hope to 1) make science approachable for more people and 2) advocate for researching understudied cells in our brains!

David Couch, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Appointee, Sandia National Laboratories

What do you hope to accomplish with your research/chosen career path?

I hope to learn to be a good mentor so I can help other people reach their potential as researchers without being discouraged.

What do you do outside of your postdoc life? Parent? Juggle? Volunteer? Tell us more!

I parent two kids, volunteer with sermon recording for my church, and read fantasy novels. I am trying to write my first children's science book.

A funny incident/story that happened during your postdoc.

My 3-year-old daughter walked up to my computer while I was analyzing some data and said "Did you make a whole bunch of numbers, Daddy? Great job making a whole bunch of numbers."

Sadaf Dabeer, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Researcher, Kennesaw State University

I identify as...

A first-generation graduate, an international postdoc

What inspired you to become a postdoc/researcher in your chosen area?

The more you learn the more you realize that there is much more left to learn. its an addiction.

What do you hope to accomplish with your research/chosen career path?

It started as a way to get answers for my own problems. But now i know, if I am able to find a non invasive easy way to help women who suffer daily like i did for a long period in my life, it will all be worth the efforts. For me it works in 2 ways, I can help empower women through inspiration as well as through the outcomes of my research. Knowledge is a superpower everyone should have access to.

Muthu Ram Prabhu Elenchezhian, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Scholar, Purdue University

I identify as...

An international postdoc

What does being a postdoc mean to you? How do you explain it to family and friends? "I am a postdoc and I am…."

Work on innovative research projects, funded by national organizations, guided by my supervisor.

What do you do outside of your postdoc life? Parent? Juggle? Volunteer? Tell us more!

Dog dad!

Ray Garner, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Scholar, Texas A&M University, Physics & Astronomy Department

I identify as...

LGBTQIA+

A funny incident/story that happened during your postdoc.

One of the postdocs here at TAMU actually went to my graduate school for her undergrad education. We didn't know each other, but we were so excited to find out we had Case Western Reserve University in common. We've become really good friends since!

What inspired you to become a postdoc/researcher in your chosen area?

I really enjoy the act of discovery that is research. Plus, I enjoy mentoring and helping others discover as well. Eventually, I want to teach as a college professor and help others realize amazing things about the universe.

Nuria Gutierrez, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Scholar, Florida State University

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Gopichand Gutti, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Researcher, The Ohio State University

I identify as...

An international postdoc.

What does being a postdoc mean to you?

In my words, Postdoc is a research professional who works in a group or organization and do scientific research after his/ her Ph.D. In fact, postdoc to be a competent researcher who doesn't need much instruction on the basics of how to do research but might need some training on the particular skills needed in my group or organization whenever required.

What do you hope to accomplish with your research/chosen career path?

Doing science, developing medical counter measures for deadly diseases, and helping in betterment of human health is both challenging and encouraging.

Amro Hashish, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Research Associate, Iowa State University

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Luna Hiron, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Scientist, Florida State University

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Daniel Hoffman, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Researcher, Kennesaw State University

I identify as...

LGBTQIA+

What does being a postdoc mean to you? How do you explain it to family and friends?

I am a postdoc, and I am an environmental scientist, researcher, and educator. I work on issues of water quality and nutrient pollution, which is a growing global problem that affects both ecosystem and human/economic wellbeing.

What inspired you to become a postdoc/researcher in your chosen area?

I was inspired and motivated by the incredible mentorship I had throughout my undergraduate and graduate education and want to be able to perform relevant research, mentor students, and help educate and train the next generation of scientists in my field.

Piotr Jung-Sillah, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

I identify as...

LGBTQIA+, an international postdoc.

A funny incident/story that happened during your postdoc.

One of the funniest moments during my postdoc involved ordering a trimmer for the lab. We needed one to shave lab mice before procedures, so I went on Amazon and picked a reasonably priced option without paying too much attention to the details. A few days later, I got an email from my PI informing me that the grant officer flagged the purchase. Apparently, the description of the trimmer stated that it was specifically designed for the bikini area! Let’s just say we all got a good laugh, and I learned to double-check product descriptions before placing lab orders.

What do you hope to accomplish with your research/chosen career path?

With my research, I hope to make a meaningful contribution to understanding neuroblastoma, a devastating cancer that primarily affects infants and toddlers. In our lab, we focus on investigating the heterogeneity of this disease—how different tumor cells within the same patient behave and respond to treatment. Additionally, we are working on establishing a novel 3D mouse in vitro model, which has the potential to significantly advance how we study neuroblastoma. Beyond research, I aspire to become an assistant professor at a primary undergraduate institution, where I can inspire and train the next generation of cancer biologists. I want to share my passion for science, mentor future researchers, and contribute to creating a diverse, inclusive, and innovative scientific community. Personally, I hope my work will pave the way for more effective therapies and, on a larger scale, improve outcomes for patients while shaping the future of cancer research through education.

Natalia Malina, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Auburn University

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Priyanka Mishra, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Research Scientist, University of Texas at San Antonio

I identify as...

An international postdoc.

What does being a postdoc mean to you?

To me, being a postdoc means becoming more self-sufficient and responsible in my thinking. I believe there is a need to revamp this term for those who  misunderstand it as a type of course study. Postdocs are researchers who continue to advance research with their expertise after receiving their PhD. Postdoctoral researchers are scientists who work in academia or industry.

What do you hope to accomplish with your research/chosen career path?

I want to apply what I've learned in the lab to clinical settings.

Andrea Pereyra, M.D., Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Scholar, East Carolina University

I identify as...

An international postdoc

A funny incident/story that happened during your postdoc.

Funny thing #1) As part of my research I've spent many many days coming into the laboratory early in the am to collect pee from my mice. Let me tell you that it is a very peculiar thing to do and skill to have. Funny-scary incident #2) "it's raining glass": lab safety is paramount and lab accidents are not funny but this one had a happy ending. One morning while working on the safety cabinet (a sort of fully-enclosed table with hood) the frontal sash door made of very thick glass shattered into a thousand rounded, non-sharp pieces and poured like rain for a solid 30 seconds. Scary, shocking and beautiful all at once. No one was hurt except the institute's budget that had to cover the repair.

What do you hope to accomplish with your research/chosen career path/etc [personally, throughout society, etc]?

Personally, via my research, I would like to improve the lives of everyone living with a metabolic myopathy. Also, although "postdoc time" can be a wonderful moment in the professional life of a scientist there is still a long way to go to make things better for lots of postdocs across the US. By navigating my postdoctoral appointment with eyes wide open I want to identify critical components that can make postdoctoral appointments wonderful or terrible and work on those to improve the experiences of my colleagues.

Meena Raju, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Researcher Fellow, Auburn University

I identify as...

An international postdoc

What inspired you to become a postdoc/researcher in your chosen area?

Postdoctoral research role is a great opportunity to acquire research, leadership, mentorship and other requisite skills for an academic position. My passion is to be an academician balancing teaching, research and service. I decided to be as a Postdoc for few years to get trained on these skills before landing to my passionate job.

What do you hope to accomplish with your research/chosen career path?

The United States coastline is native to many species and rich in biodiversity. Due to anthropogenic and natural disasters the marine species are threatened and getting extinct. Through my research I am developing a hydrodynamic-water quality model to understand how river diversions and other anthropogenic forcings are impacting the Gulf of Mexico's water quality and impairing aquatic life. This understanding is vital to plan, mitigate and manage aquatic life in the region.

Raul Rodriguez, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California, Berkeley

I identify as...

A first-generation graduate

What inspired you to become a postdoc/researcher in your chosen area?

I met my current boss at a conference. He let me know that he was starting a lab and was looking for someone with the experience on equipment and software that I had. A year later, he contacted me again once I was finished with my Ph.D., so I decided to embrace a big change, and moved across the country. I'm excited to see what opportunities for growth are available here!

What do you do outside of your postdoc life? Parent? Juggle? Volunteer? Tell us more!

I volunteer as a Steward in our Postdoc Union (UAW 5810), helping build a strong union that can protect Postdoc rights, I volunteer with Bay Area Scientists in Schools, to have students from low socio-economic schools meet with scientists, and I volunteer at the Berkeley Basic Needs Center - Food Pantry, ensuring that all UC students have access to food. In my spare time, I enjoy running table-top role playing games, watching television, or doing fiber crafts.

Poulami Sarkar, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Associate, University of Florida

I identify as...

An international postdoc

What inspired you to become a postdoc/researcher in your chosen area?

The interactions between microbial pathogens with their human/plant host at the molecular level has always intrigued me. I chose plant pathology after knowing the loss in crop yield due to different pests and pathogens, which eventually inflicts huge economic loss to the farmers and the government.

What do you do outside of your postdoc life? Parent? Juggle? Volunteer? Tell us more!

Mental health is very important to me. I meditate, do yoga and walk for an hour almost everyday. I also indulge in social activities with friends and volunteering in the neighborhood. I believe mental wellness leads to happier self and more dedication to my lab work.

Mallory Smith, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow, Eunice Kennedy Shriver Institute of Child Health and Human Development

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Ashish Srivastava, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Scholar, University of Tennessee Health Science Center

I identify as...

An international postdoc

What inspired you to become a postdoc/researcher in your chosen area?

Science always fasciniated me, the motivation to discover the unknown and add knowledge to soceity

What do you hope to accomplish with your research/chosen career path?

I hope to contribute maximally for the new drug developement and discovery which could be useful in the betterment of humankind.

Smrithika Subramani, Ph.D.

Research Associate, University of Wisconsin–Madison

I identify as...

An international postdoc

What does being a postdoc mean to you? How do you explain it to family and friends? "I am a postdoc and I am…."

I am a postdoc and an innovative scientist who paves the way in research to be an independent thinker, project designer and trains myself to be a future mentor to younger scientists. I am an indispensable part of a research group, bridging the gap between graduate students and faculty members.

What inspired you to become a postdoc/researcher in your chosen area?

My general curiosity for how things work and how my knowledge of Biophysics can help channel a better understanding of biological problems seen in fields like Neuroscience.

Daniel Vallejo, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Scholar, Georgia Institute of Technology

I identify as...

A first-generation graduate, a person with a disability

What does being a postdoc mean to you? How do you explain it to family and friends? "I am a postdoc and I am…."

I am a postdoc, so I am in a professional position that comes after my Ph.D. to better prepare for my next career step with additional training (professional development, new skills, teaching, etc.) that I may not have had the opportunity to get during graduate school.

A funny incident/story that happened during your postdoc.

One time I reprimanded someone from a neighboring lab for wearing shorts and sandals, I latter found out they were a professor.