Office of Postdoctoral Affairs News & Events

Arafat Appointed Director of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and Professional Development

Hwyda A. Arafat, MD, PhD, MSc. MEdL, has been appointed director of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and Professional Development effective September 1, 2024. Read more.

“Athlete Discovers Research at Pfeiffer”

"When Dr. Dillon Malloy (Class of 2017) played defense for the lacrosse team at Cuthbertson High School in Waxhaw, he performed so well in games that he attracted the attention of college recruiters. He was also a good student, so he never lost sight of what he ultimately wanted from a higher education. “It wasn’t enough for me to want to go to a school and play,” he said. “I knew my next steps were always going to be academic-related.” Pfeiffer University would fit the bill — albeit in an unexpected way. [...] This would culminate in his earning a PhD in neuroscience from Drexel University College of Medicine in 2022. He’s now a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Drexel, where his work examines the same subject that his doctoral thesis did, namely the use of noninvasive spinal cord stimulation for neural recovery following injury." Read more at The Stanly News & Press.

Effective Career Planning for International Scholars – a seven-week series

Effective Career Planning for International Scholars is a seven-week program addressing the intersection of career exploration and immigration education. During the program, we will guide participants to strategically plan for professional development goals that satisfy the immigration criteria for permanent residence. Learn more.

Effective Career Planning for PhDs

The Steinbright Career Development Center, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, and the Graduate College invite graduate students and postdocs to participate in an eight-week career boot camp: “Effective Career Planning for PhDs.”* The boot camp will meet weekly on Thursdays for 2 hours, beginning June 29, 2023, 10–12 pm EST. It is designed to equip attendees with the skills, resources, and self-assessment information to make informed career choices within and beyond academia. This course is adapted from the pd|hub Collections, an NIH-funded collection of evidence-based practices to support PhD professional development. Learn more.

Roshell Muir, PhD, Receives AWIS Meridian Award

Roshell Muir, PhD, a former postdoctoral researcher in infectious diseases and HIV medicine, who is now a senior research associate at Drexel, is a recipient of the annual Association for Women in Science (AWIS) Meridian 2022 Award, which recognizes mid-career STEM professionals who are strong leaders and innovative thinkers, and who are committed to inclusivity, diversity, equity and accessibility. Dr. Muir was nominated for this award by Michele Kutzler, PhD, associate dean for faculty, professor of medicine and microbiology and immunology, and Drs. Ellie Cantor and Eleanor Brown, who sit on the Executive Board of AWIS-Philadelphia (PHL). Dr. Muir is actively involved with AWIS-PHL, and currently serves as president-elect of the chapter, where she has held multiple leadership positions on the Executive Board for the past four years.

Learn more.

Postdoc Appreciation Week: September 19-23, 2022

Virtual NPAW events
Finding Your Balance kickoff event — September 19
Volleyball game at Buckley Green – September 19
Green Cards for Scientific Researchers—How to Win Your EB-1/NIW Case! – September 20
Mentors in Motion with Science Communications Professionals – September 29

Learn more.

Cotswold Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship 2022 Recipients

Dr. Stephanie Matt, Pharmacology and Physiology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies for the project: “Epigenetic regulation of dopamine induced by substance abuse and HIV-associated neuroinflammation.”

Dr. Josiah Kephart, Urban Health Collaborative, Dornsife School of Public Health for the project: “The impacts of climate-related extreme flood events on health and health disparities in Latin American cities.”

Dr. Emanuela Piermarini, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies, for the project: “Gene therapy approach for SPG4-based Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia.”

Dr. Hua Zhang, Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, for the project: “High Efficiency Medium Voltage Power Conversion Technology Leveraging the Next Generation Wide Bandgap Semiconductors for Grid Integration.”

TOTAL STEM – Training Opportunities for Assessment and Learning in STEM

Drexel University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies (GSBSPS) has received a one-year Career Guidance for Trainees grant from the Burroughs Welcome Fund to develop a pilot assessment training program for graduate students and postdocs at GSBSPS titled: "TOTAL STEM – Training Opportunities for Assessment and Learning in STEM." A cohort of six biomedical science doctoral students and/or postdoctoral fellows in the GSBSPS will be selected to participate in the program. Learn more.

Postdoc Appreciation Week: September 21-25, 2020

Health Insurance 101 for Postdocs
Monday, September 21, 3 p.m. EST
Do you find health insurance terminology confusing? You are not alone. In this webinar, Steve Johnson will help demystify unfamiliar concepts and terms commonly seen when looking at health insurance benefit summaries or speaking with healthcare professionals to help us be more better equipped to make informed decisions. Steve Johnson is the area vice president of Gallagher Benefit Services’ Student and Scholar Services division, and is responsible for the sales, administration and customer care of all university and research facility clients.
RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/117912556631

Green Cards for Scientific Researchers: How to Win Your EB-1A/NIW Case
Tuesday, September 22, 3 p.m. EST
The U.S. Immigration process can be a daunting and complicated process and many of the recent news headlines have created misplaced panic in the scientific community. However, a clear understanding of the new rules will restore your confidence.
Join Brian Getson, a Partner at Getson & Schatz, to discover how to maximize your chances of winning a green card in the EB-1/NIW categories as well as how President Trump’s June immigration order will affect you and other foreign scientific researchers.
RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/117913467355

Planning for Financial Success from Post-doctorate to Prosperity
Thursday, September 24, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. EST
This seminar will focus on financial planning strategies designed explicitly for young researchers and their families. As an investment manager and financial advisor to professionals, I will share the three phases of wealth accumulation you will navigate during your career. Drawing back from my past-life as a postdoctoral researcher, I will help you identify the actions you can take right now to prepare yourselves for a successful financial future.
RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/financial-planning-and-money-management-for-postdocs-tickets-118794990013