Postdoc Features

Written by Mahima Sharma, Ph.D. Sailing around the globe, sojourning in lighthouses and islands, inventing gizmos like they were a piece of cake – growing up, I lived in a world of books, and this was the life I conjured up for myself. Even though I wasn’t very sure what… Read More

Written by Angela Xiao, Ph.D. Hi! My name is Angela Ziyan Xiao. I joined Vanderbilt in August 2025 as a postdoc in marketing at Owen. I appreciate this opportunity to share some of my story with you. I am generally interested in human judgment and decision making and consumer psychology. Read More

Written by Ronald McMillan, Ph.D. As this month’s postdoc spotlight, I’m excited to share a bit about myself. I’m originally from Wilmington, Delaware, and I’m proud to be the first in my family to graduate from college. Like many kids, my mom encouraged me to become a medical doctor. While… Read More

Written by Lorenzo Gavassino, Ph.D. I am a mathematical physicist with Italian roots. This, in brief, sums up my biography. Now that’s settled, I imagine you, the reader, might be more interested in why I am passionate about math and physics, and what invisible drive leads me to pursue such… Read More

Written by Milene Fontes, Ph.D. My name is Milene Fontes, a woman scientist born in a small town in northeastern Brazil. Walking with my dog, exploring the city of Nashville, meeting friends, and cooking are my favorite hobbies in my free time. I enjoy the energy around the Vanderbilt campus,… Read More

Written by Andreas Mono, Ph.D. Hi there! I am a postdoc at the Department of Mathematics working under the supervision of Professor Larry Rolen since August 2023. Vanderbilt provides an excellent work environment, a fantastic community, and wonderful experiences since I have begun to work here. I am very delighted… Read More

Written by Clara Wilch, Ph.D. My interdisciplinary research focuses on artistic and philosophical approaches to understanding and confronting climate change and environmental injustice. My first book project focuses on how performance shapes ecologically significant relationships in the contemporary Arctic, with a focus on Nunavut, Canada. Perhaps this gathering of… Read More

Written by Joanie Martin, Ph.D. Hi! I’m Joanie Martin, a postdoctoral fellow in the Division of Nephrology. My journey in science has been fueled by a lifelong curiosity about how things work, from household gadgets to the complexities of living systems. I was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and… Read More

Written by Connor Phillips, Ph.D. In the fall of 2013, the US federal government shut down for 16 days amid a standoff between the Obama administration and congressional Republicans over funding for President Barack Obama’s signature Affordable Care Act healthcare legislation. At the time, I had just arrived on… Read More

Written by Juan Carvajal Garcia, Ph.D. I was born and grew up in Asturias, a small state the North coast of Spain. Asturias is known for its food and cider, and it has both beautiful beaches and mountains. My first contact with scientific research was as an undergraduate… Read More