Postdocs celebrated at Annual Appreciation Day

PDA President Johan Öckinger

September 29, 2011 — HSPH postdoctoral researchers were honored at a reception on September 22, 2011, in the Kresge Cafeteria for their significant contributions to research at the School. The event, sponsored by the Office of Faculty Affairs and the HSPH Postdoctoral Association (PDA), was held in recognition of the third annual National Postdoc Appreciation Week.

David Kasahara and Laura Kubzansky

Forty-three percent of first authors on research papers generated at the School are postdocs, Associate Dean for Research Karen Emmons said in a welcome address. She urged postdocs to make the most of their “academic bachelorhood” at HSPH and enjoy this fruitful time in which they can explore their interests without the demands of teaching.

PDA President Johan Öckinger presented the 2011 PDA Mentor Award to Laura Kubzansky, associate professor of society, human development, and health. Kubzansky was nominated by her postdoc, Allison Appleton.

Postdocs stuck pins in a map to show where they come from. Approximately half of the School’s 296 postdocs are international.

The PDA Service Award was presented to [[David Kasahara]], a research associate in the Department of Environmental Health, for his many contributions to the PDA, postdocs at the School, and the National Postdoc Association.

Photos: Aubrey LaMedica

 

 

Postdocs mingle with David Hunter, dean for academic affairs, left.