Contributions of Harvard Chan School postdocs, research associates celebrated

Postdoctoral researchers, research associates, and their faculty mentors celebrated together at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s “Postdoc Appreciation Day” on Sept. 20, 2017 in the Kresge Cafeteria.

The annual event was organized by the School’s Postdoctoral Association (PDA) with the support of the Office of Faculty Affairs.

In her opening remarks, Dean Michelle Williams thanked the attendees for their significant contributions to research endeavors at the School and expressed gratitude to their faculty mentors. She thanked the leaders of the PDA and cited the energy, enthusiasm, curiosity, and “can do” attitude of the more than 450 postdocs and research associates. About 40% are U.S. residents and 60% are international, representing more than 40 countries.

Christian Suharlim, MPH ’14, research associate in the Center for Health Decision Sciences, emceed the event. Ending his three-year tenure as PDA president, he presented leadership awards to PDA Council members Mudit Chaand, Jacqueline Cohen, and Aisha Dickerson for their dedication to the postdoc community.

Alkes Price, associate professor of statistical genetics, was presented the 2017 Outstanding Faculty Mentor of the Year award. The award honors outstanding faculty members who are exemplary role models and have provided consistent guidance, emotional support, and motivation to their postdoctoral fellows. Finalists included Rebecca Betensky, Caroline Buckee, James Butler, Jorge Chavarro, Robert Farese Jr, Edward Giovanucci, Yonatan Grad, Sonia Hernandez-Diaz, Karestan Koenen, Francine Laden, Josiemer Mattei, Murray Mittleman, Sam Myers, Zachary Nagel, Kristopher Sarosiek, Tobias Walther, and Marc Weisskopf,

The event was held in conjunction with National Postdoc Appreciation Week.

– Marge Dwyer and Christian Suharlim, MPH ’14