What It Means To Be A Postdoc
Postdoc's are often the most productive element of a research laboratory. In addition to their bench productivity, they take on important training and lab management responsibilities. Through daily interactions with graduate students and faculty, they bring new scientific experience, creativity and enthusiasm into the laboratory environment.
A strong postdoctoral community is a superb indicator of a vibrant research program, and we have both here at Upstate. Our postdocs not only love what they do, they have their own goals they are achieving while still maintaining families, friends and a happy life balance.
Muhammad Bilal, MD, PhD
I am a...
Postdoctoral associate in Dr. Yao's lab within the Department of Psychiatry.
What does being a postdoc mean to you? How do you explain it to family and friends? "I am a postdoc and I am…."
Being a postdoctoral associate at Upstate Medical University represents a unique and transitional phase in one's academic or research career. It's that pivotal period where you're no longer a student, yet still in the process of securing a long-term, permanent role. During this time, the focus shifts to deepening expertise, cultivating independence as a researcher, and laying a solid foundation for the next career step. This stage often involves balancing a range of responsibilities such as, conducting research, publishing papers, mentoring students, writing grant proposals, and exploring future opportunities in academia or industry. In essence, Upstate Medical University offers a valuable time for growth, exploration, and self-discovery, as you begin to shape your own identity in the field.
What inspired you to become a postdoc/researcher in your chosen area?
I took on a postdoc to strengthen my research capabilities, grow as an independent investigator, and engage in meaningful scientific work.
What do you like to do outside of being a postdoc?
I enjoy spending time with my kid and making the most of family time.
Tanu Garg, PhD
I am a...
Postdoctoral Associate for the Microbiology and Immunology Department in Adam Waickman, PhD lab at SUNY Upstate Medical University.
What does being a postdoc mean to you? How do you explain it to family and friends? "I am a postdoc and I am…."
Being a postdoctoral associate at Upstate Medical University seems a great opportunity to me to satisfy my research appetite for biomedical research specially studying about mechanisms involving host-pathogen relationship. It’s more like extending your research boundaries and becoming an independent researcher, much like roots are grown in graduate school and now it’s time for the flowers to bloom.
To my family and friends, research is one of the best things I can do and want to do, being passionate about it.
What inspired you to become a postdoc/researcher in your chosen area?
The inspiration was the research appetite which was still not fulfilled in graduate time in my chosen area. Post Doc training provides you much more avenues to grow and groom which are less available in Industry.
What do you like to do outside of being a postdoc?
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. Also, I love cooking, hiking, travelling.
Basveshwar Gawali, PhD
I am a...
Postdoctoral Research Associate for the Department of Radiation Oncology in Snehalata Pawar, PhD lab at SUNY Upstate Medical University.
What does being a postdoc mean to you? How do you explain it to family and friends? "I am a postdoc and I am…."
Being a postdoc means having expertise in the field and contributing to advancing knowledge in my area. This is the time to carry out research and new ideas, collaborate with fellow researchers, and develop my skills further.
When explaining it to family and friends, I often say it's like being a more specialized apprentice in academia. I’m focused on a specific project in radiation oncology to have better outcomes for the patients. I am fortunate to have a supportive supervisor who is leading our research team, along with a friendly colleague. The research work we are performing here gives opportunity to present at international conferences and exchange ideas with field experts in the scientific field.
What inspired you to become a postdoc/researcher in your chosen area?
Empowering my knowledge in the field of my expertise and contributing to the scientific field.
What do you like to do outside of being a postdoc?
I love cooking and visiting the natural places nearby with my family.
Emma Mantlo, PhD
I am a...
Postdoctoral Research Associate for the Department of Microbiology & Immunology in Yan-Jang Huang, PhD lab at SUNY Upstate Medical University.
What does being a postdoc mean to you? How do you explain it to family and friends? "I am a postdoc and I am…."
On the home stretch of my training before become a full-fledged scientist.
What inspired you to become a postdoc/researcher in your chosen area?
I want to expand the boundaries of human knowledge and become a subject matter expert in my field.
What do you like to do outside of being a postdoc?
Outside of work, I am a certified scuba diver and enjoy diving in the St. Lawrence River and in Skaneateles lake during the summer.
Fnu Priyanka, PhD
I am a...
Postdoctoral Research Associate for the Department of Microbiology & Immunology in Iwona Koenig, PhD lab at SUNY Upstate Medical University.
What does being a postdoc mean to you? How do you explain it to family and friends? "I am a postdoc and I am…."
To me, being a postdoc means that I carry out research under good supervision so that I can be an independent researcher in the future. The research work I am doing is very interesting to me and it further increases my curiosity towards research. How I explain to my family and friends is, I am working on testing the drugs suitability for disease treatment such as atherosclerosis and systemic lupus erythematous at lab scale, before testing the drugs on humans, we carry out using mice and testing their effectiveness and toxicity. I really like the time flexibility which helps me to work without any stress for a person like me with kids. In addition to that, my supervisors are very supportive, this encourages me to balance the time.
What inspired you to become a postdoc/researcher in your chosen area?
With the experience I am earning in my current research, I hope to become an independent researcher / faculty member in the future.
What do you like to do outside of being a postdoc?
I like to spend time with my kids. I enjoy cooking and swimming.
Youwen Si, PhD
I am a...
Postdoctoral Research Associate for the Department of Neurosurgery in Li-Ru Zhao, PhD lab at SUNY Upstate Medical University.
What does being a postdoc mean to you? How do you explain it to family and friends? "I am a postdoc and I am…."
I am a postdoc, and I am doing meaningful research that has the potential to provide treatment options for Alzheimer's patients. To me, being a postdoc is not just about furthering my scientific training—it's about contributing to something larger than myself and pushing the boundaries of knowledge in neuroscience. I enjoy most about being a postdoc is the friendly and collaborative environment. I have supportive colleagues, and seeing them every day brings me joy. The sense of camaraderie and shared passion for science makes my work even more fulfilling.
What inspired you to become a postdoc/researcher in your chosen area?
I am originally from China and came to the U.S. on a J-1 visa to pursue postdoctoral research. Here, I not only have higher income compared to what I would have in China but also more opportunities to learn English and maintain a better work-life balance. Through my research, I hope to make meaningful contributions to the field of Alzheimer’s research while growing personally and professionally
What do you like to do outside of being a postdoc?
On Fridays, I attend a Chinese church to study the Bible. This not only helps me connect with my faith but also provides a sense of community and spiritual fulfillment.
Yunting Zhu, PhD
I am a...
Postdoctoral Research Associate for the Department of Neuroscience & Physiology in Cynthia Weichert, PhD lab at SUNY Upstate Medical University.
What does being a postdoc mean to you? How do you explain it to family and friends? "I am a postdoc and I am…."
Experiencing a time of growth and exploration in my scientific career. It’s a phase in which I can gain more independence and skills necessary for a long-term career in science. Being a postdoc also means learning more from peers and interdisciplinary teams and sharing knowledge through publication.
What inspired you to become a postdoc/researcher in your chosen area?
My deep interest in understanding the biological mechanisms underlying serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia. During my PhD, I mainly focused on the role of neuroinflammation in psychiatric disorders. I saw the postdoc as an opportunity to continue exploring this intersection of immunology and neuroscience and to contribute to a growing body of research that could eventually inform better treatments for schizophrenia.
What do you like to do outside of being a postdoc?
I love drawing, painting, handcrafts, calligraphy, piano, gardening, and baking.
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