Postdoctoral Scholar Dr. Mallory Thomas takes top prize in the 2025 NC Postdoc Research Symposium

NC State postdoctoral scholar Dr. Mallory Thomas earned top honors in the Outstanding Poster Presentation category at the 2025 North Carolina Postdoc Research Symposium, a multidisciplinary event that brought together scholars from across the state for a day of scientific exchange and professional development. Her award-winning presentation, “Insights Into the Binding Affinity of PFAS Towards Human Lactoferrin via Differential Scanning Fluorimetry,” showcased her current research and underscores the impacts of PFAS exposure.

Take a moment and learn more about Dr. Mallory Thomas and her research.

Tell us what led you to NC State.
I came to NC State after graduating with my Ph.D. in Chemistry at Binghamton University in New York State. My research interests align heavily with environmental issues and how they impact our health.

How did it feel to win in the NC Postdoc Research Symposium Outstanding Poster Presentation category?
It felt nice to win. I felt validated because this was my first symposium since starting my postdoc. I entered because I wanted to show off the progress that I had made, and I felt confident in all the new concepts I had learned, and having to branch out into toxicology, it felt good because I was able to communicate what I knew to other people.

Watch Dr. Mallory Thomas interview on Youtube

Tell us about your research.
My Ph.D. research focused on chemical sensors for environmental remediation, and I currently work under Dr. Scott Belcher in the toxicology program, looking at both PFAS analysis and microcystins as part of the NC C-CAPE.

What advice do you have for new or current graduate students?
Keep your head up! You are capable of much more than you realize.

What’s a fun fact about Mallory?
I have been inside the Pyramids of Giza!

Learn more about the toxicology program