September 30, 2015 — Over 100 postdocs, research associates and faculty mentors celebrated Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s “Postdoc Appreciation Day” on September 24, 2015 in the FXB Atrium. The overflow event was held in conjunction with National Postdoc Appreciation Week as a formal “thank you” for all the contributions postdocs and research associates make to the School. The event was organized with the support of the Office of Faculty Affairs.
In his opening remarks, Michael Grusby, senior associate dean for academic affairs, thanked all the postdocs and research associates for their significant contributions to research endeavors at the School and expressed gratitude to their faculty mentors. He thanked the leaders of the School’s Postdoctoral Association (PDA), which represents 341 postdoc fellows and research associates in nine departments at the School. Grusby lauded the achievements of the PDA over the past year, including expanding the international research exchange programs to Turkey (Kocaeli) and Indonesia (Bali), hosting the Public Health 101 course series that served more than 500 participants from the greater Boston area, and launching the Peer Grant Network, the school wide peer grant writing support.
Christian Suharlim, MPH ’14, research associate in the Center for Health Decision Sciences and PDA president, emceed the event. He presented 2014-15 PDA Council members with certificates of appreciation for their service and welcomed new council members. He also thanked the Postdoc Advisory Committee, made up of faculty representatives, for guidance and support.
The 2015 Outstanding Mentor of the Year award went to Karestan Koenen, professor of psychiatric epidemiology, who was chosen from a field of 13 faculty nominees from six departments. The award features outstanding faculty members who are exemplary role models and have provided consistent guidance, emotional support, and motivation to their postdoctoral fellows.
photos: Emily Cuccarese