Best Postdoc Mentor Award

Cassondra Eng, PhD | Stanford University

Nominated by Olivia Brand

"Being acknowledged through this award is a tremendous affirmation of the work I am so passionate about. What truly drives me in academia is mentoring students. My formal training in education, coupled with my own experiences with exceptional mentors, has shown me the profound impact of creating a supportive environment where students not only excel academically but also thrive personally. Seeing students grow, witnessing their excitement about science, and contributing to their journey is what brings me the greatest joy. This grant will allow me to continue pursuing cutting-edge research while also enhancing my ability to offer students the mentorship they deserve. I am eager to continue paying forward the support and inspiration I have received throughout my career from outstanding prior and current mentors (Dr. Allan Reiss), and to further invest in mentoring the next generation of scientists. Thank you for this incredible honor and for recognizing the importance of supporting postdocs and early career researchers"

“I first met Dr. Cassondra Eng in January of 2020 when I joined the Infant Language and Learning Lab and Cognitive Development Lab (PIs: Dr. Erik Thiessen and Dr. Anna Fisher) at Carnegie Mellon University. As a first-year college student with no prior research experience, Cassie graciously extended her mentorship to me. She taught me a multitude of research, professional, and personal skills, and her guidance throughout my college career was invaluable, but Dr. Eng's most significant impact in my life has been as a role model. I have looked up to Cassie every day since I met her. She is inherently calm, kind, and encouraging, and she effortlessly achieves balance between her personal and professional responsibilities. Her dedication to her work, family, friends, community, and mentees is evident in everything she does, and her commitment to supporting women and other underrepresented groups in S.T.E.M. is limitless. Whenever I feel unqualified, inadequate, or that I do not belong in my field, I think of Cassie. She consistently breaks through barriers and paves the way for those behind her. I sincerely hope that my testimony has an impact on your consideration of Dr. Cassie Eng for the Best Mentor Award.”

- Statement from Olivia Brand (SUNY Medical University) 

2023 Winner

Anisha D'Souza Northeastern University

University of Sheffield, UK

"Despite splitting her time across appointments in three different labs throughout the city of Boston, Anisha D’Souza is the heart and soul of Northeastern University’s Center for Translational Neuroimaging. She instantly lifts the attitude of the lab every time she enters, and for me as a first-year Ph.D. student, Anisha has been a critical mentor as I adapt to life in a new city and an intensive program. Every day, she inspires me to work harder while taking appropriate care of myself, a balance not many can thread. She has overcome tremendous odds to be where she is today, having begun her career as a lone female scientist at a company in Mumbai before starting anew in the U.S. mere months before the outbreak of a global pandemic. She continues to overcome unique hurdles in the form of frequent 2AM calls to stay connected with her family, yet she is consistently the first person in the lab and the last person out, all the while emanating the most positivity, treating peers with undivided attention, and demonstrating a relentless work ethic. Beyond setting a productive pace and sharing her encyclopedic knowledge of lab protocols, she always takes care to prioritize my well-being, whether it’s helping me distribute my time on the microscope to avoid eye strain or being the support I needed during a time when I was distracted and mired by co-occurring family emergencies. Anisha is the definition of an unheralded lab hero, and is as deserving as anyone of this honor."

2022 Winner

Dr. Cleide Souza

University of Sheffield, UK

"Dr Cleide Souza is a senior post-doctoral research associate in the Ferraiuolo lab at the University of Sheffield. She has been an outstanding post-doctoral mentor to me over the last few years while I have been working on my PhD. She has always been available and approachable, providing invaluable scientific advice as well as pastoral advice. In recent years she has taken on more of a leadership role in the lab and become a mentor to several other PhD students and junior post-docs in the lab. Cleide is an expert on cell culture and the maintenance and differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells. She is a brilliant teacher and has taught many members of staff, from junior level to senior level, and her expertise and enthusiasm has always come across very clearly. Cleide is passionate about promoting diversity and well-being in science, particularly in encouraging the role of women in science. She always encourages me and other junior members of the lab to put our mental health first and to try to work toward a good work-life balance. For all these reasons and more, I believe Cleide deserves recognition for her role as a post-doctoral mentor."

2021 winner

Anna M. Hagenston Hertle

Heidelberg University

"Anna possesses a unique calm and inspiring energy which is rarely found in supervisors as experienced as her. Her positive attitude towards not-successful experiments has given me the determination to continue working hard and not to lose hope on many dark days. One of her favorite quotes is “always make new mistakes” which also tells a lot about her life and work philosophy in general."

2020 winner

Tejeshwar Rao - University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States

“'I once read somewhere, that 'You don't need to have all the answers, you just have to be willing to share what you know'. And that is what mentoring is to me. It feels great to be appreciated for sharing my knowledge and things I have learnt with my juniors and colleagues. I want to thank them for nominating me and 'Proteintech' for acknowledging the same. This recognition makes me want to continue the good work, knowing that I am being admired and appreciated for my efforts."

2019 Winner

Isha Sharma

Northwestern University, United States

"I am overwhelmed to receive best post doc mentor award. Blessed to receive all love and appreciation from peers as well as from my juniors. Thanks a lot. Thank you so much Proteintech for giving me this recognition. This award boosted my morals. Certainly its going to propels me to become better version of myself. I never knew that so many people out there support and admire me because of my mentorship."

- Isha Sharma

2018 Winner

Dr. Callie Kwartler 

University of Texas Houston, United States

“Her ability to juggle her own projects as well as advise on other projects is admirable and demonstrates qualities of a PI. She has challenged me as a PhD student to approach questions and data in different ways. She provides a positive learning environment where I can hone my research skills and become a great scientist. Dr Kwartler has provided mentorship and guidance in balancing professional and personal life. When I joined the lab a year ago my house flooded during Hurricane Harvey, she helped me find stability in balancing work and the move out of my house. She has been a constant support throughout the year as both a mentor and a friend and I strive to become a mentor like her in the future.”

- Statement from Jamie Wright (University of Texas Houston Medical School)

2017 Winner

Dr. Janet Kumita

University of Cambridge, United Kingdom

“I am continually amazed by her efforts, and cannot think of another person more deserving of this recognition. As stated in the introduction for this award, “many critical mentors in science go unheralded.” Janet does not take on the vast responsibilities that come with playing a key role in managing an entire Centre on top of mentoring many researchers to get recognition, but I am certain there is no one in the Centre who does not appreciate and respect all that Janet does for us. Our Centre is undoubtedly a better place because of Dr. Kumita, and we are all most fortunate and grateful for her guidance.”

- Statement from Ryan Limbocker, University of Cambridge 

2016 Winner

Dr. Joshua Morgan

University of Delaware, United States

“Josh consistently bolsters the quality of work and scientific questioning, student motivation, and collaborative atmosphere among every lab in the department, and he deserves to be recognized for his contributions. Talking to Josh when grad school is downright discouraging helps to remind me that I love research, and I wouldn’t rather do anything else. His mentoring has inspired me to be a better mentor to my undergrads and to younger grad students in the department.”

- Statement from Jilian Melamed, University of Delaware.