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Postdoc Awards

Each spring the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) partners with the Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association (VPA) to recognize postdocs who demonstrate excellence in research, service, mentorship, and a commitment to the postdoc community, as well as their mentors who demonstrate a willingness to share expertise and advice, service to the community at large, along with other mentoring activities.

In 2026, the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs is introduced an expanded and redesigned award structure to elevate postdoctoral recognition. Award recipients were honored during the Graduate Education Honors Banquet, which was held in the Student Life Center on March 19.

The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs was able to highlight achievements across the community, including leadership roles, fellowship and grant recipients, and excellence in research. 

Postdoctoral Fellow of the Year Award

Winner: Kyle David, Ph.D.
Department of Biological Sciences
Faculty Mentor: Antonis Rokas

Dr. Kyle David is a postdoctoral fellow in Biological Sciences whose research focuses on evolutionary patterns in yeasts and the impact of gene family changes. With 19 publications in leading journals and prestigious NSF funding across his training, he is an outstanding early-career scientist. As his mentor, Dr. Antonis Rokas, notes, he is “one of the best postdoctoral fellows [he has] ever worked with,” reflecting both his research excellence and meaningful contributions to outreach and engagement.

Postdoctoral Fellow of the Year Award

Winner: Julia Garon-Bissonnette, Ph.D.
Department of Special Education
Faculty Mentor: Kathryn Humphreys

Dr. Julia Garon-Bissonnette holds an interdisciplinary appointment in Psychology and Human Development and Special Education and is recognized for her exceptional scholarly productivity and impact. With an extensive record of publications, presentations, and international awards, her research has earned broad recognition across the field. Described as an outstanding colleague, mentor, and leader, she brings intellectual curiosity, generosity, and a strong commitment to supporting others, exemplifying the qualities of a rising leader in her discipline.

Excellence in Postdoctoral Mentoring Award

Winner: Laurie Cutting, Ph.D.
Patricia & Rodes Hart Professor of Neuroscience
Department of Special Education

Dr. Laurie Cutting is recognized for her exceptional mentorship and commitment to trainee development. Her research on brain-behavior relationships in children is matched by a mentoring style that encourages independence, thoughtful risk-taking, and long-term vision. Known for teaching mentees to be “patient yet proactive,” she fosters growth that extends well beyond the lab. Her lasting impact is reflected in the success of her trainees and their continued dedication to mentoring future generations.

Postdoctoral Mentorship & Teaching Award

Winner: Chelsea Mann, Ph.D.
Department of Biochemistry
Faculty Mentor: Neil Osheroff

Dr. Chelsea Mann is a postdoctoral fellow in the School of Medicine recognized for her outstanding commitment to mentoring and teaching. She fosters a supportive and collaborative lab environment while providing thoughtful scientific guidance to trainees at all levels. In addition to her research contributions to the development of novel antibacterial drugs, she has taken on significant teaching roles, earning exceptional student feedback and demonstrating a deep passion for education and mentorship.

Postdoctoral Leadership Award

Winner: HyunBin (Binnie) You, Ph.D.
School of Nursing
Faculty Mentor: Leanne Boehm

Dr. Binnie You is recognized for her sustained, high-impact leadership and service. She has strengthened the postdoctoral experience through inclusive mentorship, structured peer support, and collaborative initiatives. Her contributions extend beyond Vanderbilt through active roles in national and international communities, as well as editorial and scholarly service. Known for her approachable and inclusive leadership style, Dr. You elevates those around her while advancing both science and community engagement.

Postdoctoral Excellence in Innovation Award

Winner: Fan Feng, Ph.D.
Department of Medicine, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism
Faculty Mentor: Marcela Brissova

Dr. Fan Feng is recognized for his innovative use of AI to analyze complex biological data. His work develops advanced computational tools that drives new insights in T1D research & supporting the broader scientific community. Through creativity & technical expertise, Dr. Feng is helping position his team at the forefront of biomedical discovery.

Postdoctoral Excellence in Innovation Award

Winner: Tin Nguyen, Ph.D.
Department of Special Education
Faculty Mentor: Laurie Cutting

Dr. Tin Nguyen is a postdoctoral fellow in Special Education whose innovative research integrates literacy, systems thinking, and neuroscience to understand how family, school, and community environments shape children’s reading development. Building on his predoctoral work, he has developed L.A.N.T.E.R.N. (Language Analysis of Text Retell Network), a platform that combines AI-assisted transcription with network science modeling to streamline the collection, decoding, and interpretation of children’s oral reading and retell data. Leveraging Vanderbilt’s and Nashville’s rich ecosystem of education, community partnership, and social innovation, Dr. Nguyen has created a research program that is both scientifically rigorous and deeply responsive to real-world needs, advancing knowledge while directly supporting children and educators.

Postdoctoral Fellow of the Year Award

Sponsor: Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)

Eligibility: All current Vanderbilt-affiliated (VU and VUMC) postdoctoral fellows, scholars and trainees are eligible for nominations.

  • Criteria, Nomination Process and Selection

    Criteria: Nominee must demonstrate excellence in research, scholarship or creative expression as evidenced by one or more of the following:

    • Recent publications, publication contracts, and/or works of creative expression
    • Presentations: papers or posters at local, regional, national or international conferences/meetings
    • Awards and honors: internal and/or external recognition of excellence in research, scholarship or creative expression

    Consideration will also be given to:

    • Service: committees and organizations (internal and/or external), teaching, volunteering, etc.
    • Mentoring within a lab or school, establishing or leading projects and initiatives (internal and/or external)

    Nomination Process and Selection:

    • The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs solicits nominations from faculty in each school.
    • The Postdoctoral Fellows Advisory Committee reviews and votes on all nominations; if needed, the Graduate School leadership will act as additional reviewers.
    • The committee may select honorable mentions in addition to the award winner.

     

Excellence in Postdoctoral Mentoring Award

Previously the Faculty Mentor Award

Sponsors: Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association (VPA) and Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)

Eligibility: Anyone who has served as a mentor to a postdoctoral fellow, scholar or trainee at Vanderbilt in any capacity is eligible for this award.

  • Criteria, Nomination Process and Selection

    Criteria:

    • Willingness to share expertise and advice.
    • Support of the mentee’s current career stage and advancement towards the mentee’s chosen career direction.
    • Service to the community at large, including other mentoring activities.
    • Scholarship within the mentor’s own career: publications, awards, presentations, and honors.

    Nomination Process and Selection:

    • The VPA solicits nominations from all postdocs at Vanderbilt.
    • The VPA Executive Board reviews and votes on all nominations.

Postdoctoral Mentorship & Teaching Award

Previously the Postdoc Mentor Award

Sponsors: Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association (VPA) and Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)

Eligibility:

  • All current Vanderbilt-affiliated (VU and VUMC) postdoctoral fellows, scholars and trainees who have served as mentors and/or teachers are eligible for nominations.
  • Self-nominations and nominations by others are accepted.
  • Formal listing as a course instructor is not required but can be an addition for those without the traditional lab setting. 
  • Criteria, Nomination Process and Selection

    Criteria:

    • Willingness to share expertise and advice.
    • Support of the mentee’s current career stage and advancement towards the mentee’s chosen career direction.
    • Service to the community at large, including other mentoring activities.
    • Scholarship within the mentor’s own career: publications, awards, presentations, and honors.
    • Formal listing as a course instructor is not required but can be an addition for those without the traditional lab setting.

    Nomination Process and Selection:

    • The VPA solicits nominations from members of the Vanderbilt community.
    • The VPA Executive Board reviews and votes on all nominations.

Postdoctoral Leadership Award

Previously the Postdoc Service Award

Sponsors: Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association (VPA) and Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)

Eligibility:

  • The nominee must be a current postdoc at Vanderbilt University or Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
  • Self-nominations and nominations by others are accepted.

Limitation: Each postdoc is eligible to receive the leadership award once during their tenure at Vanderbilt University or Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

  • Criteria, Nomination Process and Selection

    Criteria:

    • Demonstrated sustained leadership skills to foster postdoc experience at Vanderbilt.
    • Demonstrated meaningful contribution in national and international societies relevant to their research field, e.g., moderating sessions at national/international conferences.
    • Engaged in scholarly research activities outside regular lab responsibilities to advance science, e.g., reviewing manuscripts for journals.
    • Service to the community at large, including other leadership activities.

    Nomination Process and Selection:

    • Service activities should be clearly listed on the postdoc’s CV.
    • The VPA solicits nominations from all postdocs at Vanderbilt.
    • The VPA Executive Board reviews and votes on all nominations.

    Limitation: Each postdoc is eligible to receive the service award once during their tenure at Vanderbilt University or Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Postdoctoral Excellence in Innovation Award

Sponsors: Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)

Eligibility:

  • The nominee must be a current postdoc at Vanderbilt University or Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
  • Self-nominations and nominations by others are accepted.
  • Criteria, Nomination Process and Selection

    Criteria:

    • Demonstrate significant accomplishments in research, scholarship, and/or creative expression.
    • Specifically, nominees must showcase innovation and/or entrepreneurism in their research pursuits, including:
      • Implementation of novel methodologies or approaches.
      • Application of research outcomes in addressing real-world challenges.
      • Demonstration of creativity and originality in problem-solving.
      • Initiatives in translating research outcomes into entrepreneurial ventures.
      • Development of products, services, or solutions with potential commercial or societal impact.

    Nomination Process and Selection:

    • The OPA solicits nominations from all postdocs  and postdoc faculty mentors at Vanderbilt.
    • A faculty review group reviews and votes on all nominations.

Previous Award Winners