Symposium Showcases and Honors Work of Postdoctoral Researchers

Five postdoctoral research scientists and two associate research scientists who work in Columbia medical and dental school labs took home honors at this year’s Postdoctoral Research Symposium. The seven are among 10 Columbia University postdocs and associate research scientists who received awards at the May 3 symposium held on the medical center campus in the ballroom of 50 Haven Ave.

The symposium was hosted by the Office for Postdoctoral Affairs and Early Career Research and the Columbia University Postdoctoral Society. More than 200 postdocs, associate research scientists, judges, faculty, and others participated in the event, which included nearly 100 poster presentations.

Poster awards

Eight scientists received awards for their poster presentations, including five scientists who conduct research in Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons labs:

Elena Floris, postdoctoral research scientist Poster title: “Secretory Phospholipase A2 type IIA is Elevated in the Bronchoalveolar Lavage of Lung Transplant Recipients with Bile Acid Aspiration and Airway Infections” Frank D'Ovidio lab / Department of Surgery
Vikas Malik, postdoctoral research scientist Poster title: “Multiomics Reveal Biomolecular Shifts and ER Stress in Sleep-restricted Women Affecting NSC functions” Jianlong Wang lab / Department of Medicine
Kirill Nadezhdin, postdoctoral research scientist Poster title: “Unlocking TRPV3: How Small Molecules Activate the Molecular Temperature Sensor” Alexander Sobolevsky lab / Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics
Ted Piorczynski, postdoctoral research scientist Poster title: “Novel Combination Epigenetic Therapy Restores Immunogenicity in Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma” Jennifer E. Amengual lab / Department of Medicine
Elanur Yilmaz, associate research scientist Poster title: “Cross Species Single-cell/nucleus RNA-seq Uncovers the Evolutionarily Conserved Pathological Mechanisms of Vascular Contribution to Alzheimer’s Disease” Caghan Kizil lab / Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain

Service and teaching awards

Danique Jeurissen, associate research scientist in the Michael Shadlen lab at the Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, received the Scott Smemo Service Award, which recognizes postdocs who have given their time to the postdoc community through active involvement in the postdoc society or other service. Jeurissen founded and leads the Zuckerman Institute Gender Inclusion group, which aims to end marginalization of people based on their gender identity and expression. The group has a popular mentorship program, a series of seminars and book groups, a well-researched comprehensive document that aims to improve benefits for women and gender minorities, a community and resources for parents and expecting parents, social events, and more.

Meng Feng, postdoctoral research scientist in the Chang Hun Lee lab in the College of Dental Medicine, received the Carlos Rueda Diez Teaching Award, which recognizes postdocs who have devoted time to teaching or mentoring others. Feng was nominated by numerous students and colleagues who cited his infectious passion for his work, his invaluable patience and guidance as a mentor, and his ability to cultivate enthusiasm and growth in those he teaches and mentors.