Email: tca38@drexel.edu

Tell us about your background and your current research project.

I am originally from the U.S. (North Carolina), and I got my PhD in ecology and evolutionary biology from Drexel University in 2024. The focus of my dissertation work was chimpanzee tool use variation, using remote camera traps to see how a community of the understudied Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee subspecies modify plant parts to “fish” termites out of termite mounds.

As a postdoc, I pivoted to STEM education research and currently work with the Center for the Advancement of STEM Teaching and Learning Excellence (CASTLE). I spent most of grad school as a TA, and while pursuing opportunities to learn more about effective teaching, I became interested in understanding how to help all students in a classroom be successful. As part of CASTLE, I am working on projects exploring faculty incentivization for inclusive and effective teaching, and investigating interventions that benefit STEM career trajectories for students from traditionally underrepresented groups. Additionally, I teach some of the courses in CASTLE’s graduate minor in Undergraduate STEM Education, and I help facilitate professional development opportunities for graduate students and postdocs through the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning (CIRTL).

What are your career goals, and how does your current postdoc position support your long-term career trajectory?

Ultimately, I hope to remain in academia. I still have a strong desire to participate in research, teaching, mentorship and service. My research interests are wide open and variable, but I hope to continue exploring ways that we can make undergraduate STEM education more accessible and successful for all students. I continue to love teaching, particularly in courses related to ecology and animal behavior, and I hope to be able to design and implement new, innovative courses in these areas. My postdoc with CASTLE is providing me with a wealth of experience that will support all these endeavors by giving me the opportunity to teach graduate courses of evidence-based pedagogy, work on qualitative research projects, and support the Drexel community through professional development workshops on education.

What are the key areas or issues you are most passionate about supporting through the DPA?

I am very passionate about professional teaching development for graduate students and postdocs. While there is a wealth of careers for us outside of academia, many of us may ultimately be aiming for faculty positions, and indeed PhD programs are largely designed to prepare students for academia. In spite of this, graduate students traditionally receive very little training in effective teaching and may be expected to learn how to teach on the fly. I want to provide opportunities for the postdoc community at Drexel to learn about effective teaching and designing teaching-related materials for academic job applications so that members of our community 1) can be successful in their pursuit of an academic job, and 2) can be successful educators in their fields and promote effective teaching techniques for the benefit of their students.

Email: ep637@drexel.edu

Tell us about your background and your current research project.

I’m originally from Italy, where I completed my PhD in cognitive science at the University of Trento, within the Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science. During my PhD, I focused on exploring sex differences in autism, while also working on several projects related to autism diagnosis, intervention and social inclusion. Currently, I’m a postdoctoral researcher at the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute in Philadelphia. My work here centers on advancing early identification and intervention strategies for autistic individuals. Alongside my research, I’m also part of the board of the Italian Special Interest Group on Early Diagnosis and Intervention for Children at Neurodevelopmental Risk, where I contribute to the dissemination of evidence-based practices through seminars open to professionals and families.

What are your career goals, and how does your current postdoc position support your long-term career trajectory?

I’m passionate about academic research and committed to building a career that combines science and real-world impact. My ultimate goal is to become a professor and lead research that meaningfully improves the lives of autistic individuals and their families. I’m especially interested in bridging the gap between research and clinical practice, ensuring that the knowledge we build is accessible and useful to those who need it most. My current postdoctoral position at the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute is a key step in this journey. It allows me to deepen my expertise in early diagnosis and intervention, collaborate with leading researchers in the field and develop community-based research approaches. Looking ahead, I hope to return to Italy to contribute to the academic and clinical community, fostering stronger connections between research, practice and public services. This postdoc is helping me build the skills, network and international perspective I need to pursue that goal and support the next generation of researchers.

What are the key areas or issues you are most passionate about supporting through the DPA?

As an international researcher, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to navigate academic careers abroad. Through the DPA, I’m especially passionate about providing mentorship and support to other international postdocs, as well as to those who are preparing to enter the postdoctoral phase of their careers. I believe that building an inclusive, supportive community is essential to help postdocs thrive both personally and professionally. I’m also deeply committed to promoting education and professional development opportunities within the DPA, creating spaces where postdocs can grow, connect and feel empowered to shape their career paths.