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Silvia Vicenzi, Ph.D. - Chair and Recording Secretary
Department: Medicine
My research in 12 words or less: I explore the convergence of neuroscience and cancer immunology for groundbreaking insights.
Favorite thing about the PDA: is having the opportunity to take action and make refreshing changes to create an inclusive and safe academic environment. In my "free" time, I enjoy engaging in outreach to enthuse and inform young people about science.
Favorite quote: "Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it." Charles R. Swindoll
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Jose Martinez Claros, Ph.D. – Deputy Chair
Department: Scripps Institution of OceanographyMy research in 12 words or less: What is the role of water vapor in climate change?Favorite thing about the PDA: Networking with like-minded individuals and helping the community navigate through their journey as postdocs.Favorite quote: "If you look for the light, you can often find it. But if you look for the dark that is all you will ever see" - The Legend of Korra -
Mohammad Samavat Ph.D. – Deputy Chair
Department: Institute for Neural Computation
My research in 12 words or less: I work on neural dynamical systems and modeling large brain connectomics datasets.
Favorite thing about the PDA: Post Docs are potential future pioneers of the science community. Serving these talented scientists is a true honor for me. I had the opportunity to serve as the President of Graduate Student Council at the Jacobs School of Engineering and before that at the ECE department both at UC San Diego, in the past. Now, I Would love to share my past experiences to promote our Post Docs vision towards flourishing their talents.
Favorite quote: "Fill your heart with mercy, love and kindness towards people. People are not out of two categories: either they are brothers with you in religion, or they are equal to you in creation". Ali (ibn Abi Talib)
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Mahsa Pourhamzeh, Ph.D., Co-Vice Chair of Career development
Department: Pathology
My research in 12 words or less: Understanding the mechanisms underlying synaptic loss in neurodegenerative disorders, with a particular focus on prion disease.
Favorite thing about the PDA: Working with the PDA is a joy. What I love most about the PDA is the sense of teamwork and the shared passion for the growth of our diverse community of postdoctoral scholars. The PDA is a dynamic network that enables us to create initiatives that positively impact the lives and careers of postdocs, fostering a stronger, more vibrant community at UCSD. It's amazing to be part of this community!
Favorite quote: "Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts". - Winston Churchill
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Florencia Anunziata, Ph.D., Co-Vice Chair of Career development
Department: Pediatrics
My research in 12 words or less: Exploring the effects of alcohol use on pregnancy and infant outcomes.
Favorite thing about the PDA: Opportunity to collaborate with fellow postdocs, network with scientific associations, and support others navigating the uncertainties of this transitional career phase.
Favorite quote: "A ship is always safe at the shore, but that is not what it is built for." - John A. Shedd
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Rebecca Salamon, Ph.D., Co-Vice Chair of Career development
Department:
My research in 12 words or less:
Favorite thing about the PDA:
Favorite quote:
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Ingrid Rivera-Iñiguez, Ph.D., Co-Vice Chair of Marketing and Communication
iriverainiguez@health.ucsd.edu
Department: Pediatrics
My research in 12 words or less: I study the different factors that influence eating behavior and conduct clinical trials that could help people to have a healthier lifestyle.
Favorite thing about the PDA: I like being part of a community that is willing to share, help others, work as a team to impulse other postdocs.
Favorite quote: "Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn't be that women are the exception.” - Ruth Bader Ginsburg
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Kamal Kumar, Ph.D., Co-Vice Chair of Marketing and Communication
Department: Cellular and Molecular MedicineMy research in 12 words or less: I investigate the autophagic clearance of misfolded proteins from Endoplasmic reticulum.Favorite thing about the PDA: To connect with fellow postdocs and working in a team to contribute to strengthening the PDA community in terms of professional development, networking, and growth.Favorite quote: "The one constant in our life is CHANGE". Daniel T. Gilbert -
Ipsita Mohanty, Ph.D., Co-Vice Chair of Community and Engagement
Department: School of PharmacyMy research in 12 words or less: I try to intercept the communication between gut microbes and the host by discovering their signaling molecules using mass spectrometry.Favorite thing about the PDA: I love meeting new people and organizing events, and as part of PDA, I hope to do both and contribute my time to making the postdoc community more connected.Favorite quote: -
Theresa Rohm, Ph.D., Co-Vice Chair of Community and Engagement
Department: Medicine
My research in 12 words or less: Unpuzzling how immune cells communicate in obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Favorite thing about the PDA: As a former president of the Ph.D./Postdoc Happy Hour of the University of Basel in Switzerland, I am eager to take on the role of the Vice Chair of Community Engagement at UCSD. My primary goal is to strengthen the networking environment for Postdocs and other young professionals in Science. I am excited to work closely with the PDA Board to organize regular networking and team-building events, build community partnerships with external organizations, and create memorable occasions, such as the annual Volunteer Appreciation celebration, the New Year’s Networking Event, and the Postdoctoberfest.
Favorite quote: “Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.” — Sharon Begley interviewing the astronomer Carl Sagan -
Samantha Ayoub, Ph.D., Co-vice Chair of Outreach and Teaching
Department: Psychiatry
My research in 12 words or less: Effects of comorbid drug-use and psychiatric disorder on affect and cognition.
Favorite thing about the PDA: Connecting with other postdocs.
Favorite quote: Everything in moderation - including moderation.
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Dishary Banerjee, Ph.D., Co-vice Chair of Outreach and Teaching
Department: Cardiovascular Medicine
My research in 12 words or less: I aim to find gene therapeutics to improve cardiac repair in human hearts post-injury.
Favorite thing about the PDA: Opportunity to meet likeminded postdocs and creating science outreach and teaching opportunities among the postdocs.
Favorite quote: "If you can dream it, you can do it" - Walt Disney
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Hamidreza Ghodsi M.D., Co-vice Chair of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Department: Neurosciences, Parkinson & Other Movement Disorders Center
My research in 12 words or less: Validating new technologies to monitor levodopa levels in real-time in Parkinson’s disease.
Favorite thing about the PDA: A place that I can learn from peers who are motivated to create a positive impact within their community, where everyone’s voice is not only heard, but also respected.
Favorite quote: " A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle." – James Keller -
Steven A. De La Torre, PhD, MPH, Co-vice Chair of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Department: Public Health
My research in 12 words or less: Co-designing community-driven technological supports for healthy eating and exercise.
Favorite thing about the PDA:Networking and professional development.
Favorite quote: “Tan absurdo y fugaz es nuestro paso por este mundo, que solo me deja tranquila el saber que he sido auténtica, que he logrado ser lo más parecido a mí misma.” (So absurd and fleeting is our passage through this world that what leaves me at peace is knowing that I have been authentic, that I have managed to be most like myself.) – Frida Kahlo.
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Priyanka, Ph.D., Co-Vice Chair of Exposure to Industry Program
Department: Medicine
My research in 12 words or less: I am trying to understand transcription regulation and its complexity in human diseases.
Favorite thing about the PDA: Is to make new connections and network, and joining as a PDA board member will allow me to directly reach out to fellow postdocs and graduate students with various career opportunities available for us at different stages.
Favorite quote: “Life should be great rather than long”- Dr. BR Ambedkar
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Amit Khurana, Ph.D., Co-Vice Chair of Exposure to Industry Program
Name and Position: Amit Khurana, Co-Vice Chair of Exposure to Industry Program
Department: Pediatrics
My research in 12 words or less: I use pharmacological approaches to discover therapeutics for chronic liver diseases.
Favorite thing about the PDA: Networking with fellow postdocs having unique experiences and creating awareness about personal interests, valuing diverse exposures and making informed decisions for a joyful career.
Favorite quote: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for man". Colossians 3:23, The Holy Bible
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Jiyo S. Athertya, Ph.D., Co-Vice Chair of Exposure to Industry Program
Department: Radiology
My research in 12 words or less: I play with MRI scans to find biomarkers and diagnose degenerative brain disorders
Favorite thing about the PDA: The strong sense of community and collaboration. To share valuable resources, and work collectively to advance our careers and make meaningful contributions to science.
Favorite quote: Learn as if you will live forever, live like you will die tomorrow.
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Paula Godoy, Ph.D., Co-Vice Chair of Wellnes & Sustainability
Department: Molecular Biology
My research in 12 words or less: My work uncovers aberrant spatiotemporal metabolic kinase signaling in aging and cancer.
Favorite thing about the PDA: I am thrilled to join the PDA to nurture my community here at UCSD. I am especially excited to ensure that all PDA events minimize their carbon footprint and waste production. I am also eager to promote events that help postdocs nurture their mental wellbeing – both through seeking therapy and mindfulness.
Favorite quote: – “It is what it is, innit” – Love Island UK
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Yanning Zuo, Ph.D., Co-Vice Chair of Wellnes & Sustainability
Department: Department of Psychiatry
My research in 12 words or less: Understanding the molecular mechanism of substance use using systems biology approaches
Favorite thing about the PDA: An opportunity to voice out, share, help each other, and make changes happen
Favorite quote: Create in me a pure heart Psalm 51:10
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Heather Dillon, Career and Professional Development Program Manager
Department: Office of Postdoctoral and Research Scholar Affairs
My research in 12 words or less: Develop, coordinate, and present professional development workshops, programs, and seminars for postdoctoral trainees.
Favorite thing about the PDA: Working with our talented and dedicated team to enhance the postdoctoral community at UC San Diego by provide opportunities for networking, socializing, and career development.
Favorite quote: “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” – Maya Angelou
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Your Name Here!
We are always looking for more volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a part of the 2021-2022 Executive Board, it all starts by attending our monthly Postdoc Association Lunch. Find more about becoming a volunteer.
