Professional Development Award

Fall 2021

• Dr. Yu-Chun Chiu, Molecular Education, Technology and Research Innovation Center
  • Project/Activity: US Human Proteome Organization Annual Conference
• Dr. Noelle DeStefano, Civil, Construction, & Environmental Engineering
  • Project/Activity: American Society for Mass Spectrometry Annual Meeting
• Dr. Anandrao Patil, Entomology and Plant Pathology
  • Project/Activity: Entomological Society of America Annual Conference
• Dr. Priya Rajarapu, Entomology and Plant Pathology
  • Project/Activity: Entomological Society of America Annual Conference
• Dr. Luis Rivera-Burgos, Crop & Soil Sciences
  • Project/Activity: ASA/CSSA/SSSA International Annual Meeting
• Dr. Amarish Yadav, Entomology and Plant Pathology
  • Project/Activity: Keystone Symposium on “Gene Drives and Selfish Genetic Elements”

Spring 2021

• Dr. Beatriz Tome Gouveia, Crop & Soil Sciences
  • Project/Activity: Summer Institute in Plant Breeding
• Dr. Ender Ozturk, Electrical & Computer Engineering
  • Project/Activity: MATLAB Courses on Wireless Communications Systems Design with MATLAB and USRP Software-Defined Radios; Deep Learning with MATLAB
• Dr. Qingyang Wang, Food, Bioprocessing, and Nutrition Sciences
  • Project/Activity: Institute of Food Technologists Annual Conference
• Dr. Jason Whitham, Plant and Microbial Biology
  • Advances in Genome Biology and Technology Conference
• Dr. Jia Xiong, Food, Bioprocessing, and Nutrition Sciences; located at the Plants for Human Health Institute (Kannapolis, NC)
  • Project/Activity: Society for In Vitro Biology Meeting

Spring 2020 Special Call (Virtual Awards)

• Dr. Preeti Chandra,  Department of Food Bioprocessing & Nutrition Sciences, Plants for Human Health Institute (Kannapolis, NC)
  • Project/Activity: American Society of Mass Spectrometry virtual course on Introduction to Good Lab Practice Regulations and Bioanalytical Method Validation by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
• Dr. Adam Hoffman, Department of Psychology
  • In lieu of earlier 2019 Fall Award
  • Project/Activity: ATLAS.ti software
• Dr. Pingping Meng, Department of Civil, Construction, & Environmental Engineering
  • Project/Activity: Coursera Data Science Specialization program through Johns Hopkins University
• Dr. Scott Ogletree, Department of Parks, Recreation, & Tourism Management
  • Project/Activity: Introduction to Bayesian Analysis for Public & Urban Health online course through the Drexel Urban Health Collaborative’s Summer Institute
• Dr. Vineeta Rai, Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology
  • In lieu of earlier 2020 Spring Award
  • Project/Activity: American Society of Mass Spectrometry virtual course on metabolomics
• Dr. Atul Rathore,  Department of Food Bioprocessing & Nutrition Sciences, Plants for Human Health Institute (Kannapolis, NC)
  • Project/Activity: American Society of Mass Spectrometry virtual course on Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry: Advanced Techniques & Application
• Dr. Mengying Wang, Department of Plant & Microbial Biology
  • Project/Activity: IBM Python Data Science Professional Certification through edX
• Dr. Shannah Witchey, Department of Biological Sciences
  • Project/Activity: Enviromental Mixtures Workshop via the SHARP Training Program at Columbia University
• Dr. Rachel Wooliver, Department of Plant & Microbial Biology
  • In lieu of earlier 2020 Spring Award
  • Project/Activity: Virtual Botany 2020 Conference & Workshops

Spring 2020

• Dr. Vineeta Rai, Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology
  • Project/Activity: Attend American Society of Mass Spectrometry Annual Conference
  • Professional Development outcome: In addition to attending the conference for networking and professional development purposes, will take part in one-day short metabolomics course relevant to current research efforts.
• Dr. Leigh Ann Samsa, Biotechnology Teaching Program
  • Project/Activity: American Society for Microbiology webinars
  • Professional Development outcome: By taking part in webinars from ASM focused on Teaching Undergraduate Biology and Biology Education Research, will be more prepared for teaching-focused faculty careers.
• Dr. Rachel Wooliver, Department of Plant & Microbial Biology
  • Project/Activity: Attend Evolution 2020 Conference
  • Professional Development outcome: In addition to attending conference for networking and professional development purposes, will take part in workshops focused on career opportunities and seed resurrection research.

Fall 2019

• Dr. Adam Hoffman, Department of Psychology
  • Project/Activity: Social Network Analysis workshop for NC State University
  • Professional Development outcome: Increased demonstration of teaching effectiveness for preparation for a faculty career; providing useful insights on a data analysis approach to the university community
• Dr. Nadine Kotlarz, Department of Biological Sciences
  • Project/Activity: Auditing Case Studies in Data Science course at Duke University
  • Professional Development outcome: Increased understanding of statistical approaches in public health data to be applied to postdoc work at NC State
• Dr. Maricar Morales-Aguilos, Department of Forestry & Environmental Resources
  • Project/Activity: Lecture & workshop series on wetland ecosystem research at Mindanao State University in the Philippines
  • Professional Development outcome: Development and delivery of workshop on research area, establishment of new institutional partnerships, and science outreach to groups often under-served
• Dr. John Nardini, Department of Mathematics
  • Project/Activity: Purchase of Poll Everyone license to aid in teaching
  • Professional Development outcome: Software will allow for better interaction with large lecture classrooms, provide valuable feedback on teaching, and assist in improvement of teaching skills for eventual faculty career

• Dr. Aurore Canoville, Department of Biological Sciences (NC State) & Paleontology Research Program (NC Museum of Natural Sciences)
  • Project/Activity: Designing & leading a short course on bone (paleo)histology and workshop on petrographic thin-sections at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences
  • Professional Development outcome: Increased demonstration of teaching effectiveness for preparation for a faculty caree
• Dr. Teng Su, Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering (NC State and UNC Chapel Hill)
  • Project/Activity: Meet the faculty candidate forum at the Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Meeting
  • Professional Development outcome: Networking & exposure of Dr. Su and his research to department chairs, faculty, and recruiters seeking new faculty hires
• Dr. Cheng Zhu, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
  • Project/Activity: Attend the Providing Effective and Knowledgeable leadership course at the American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting
  • Professional Development outcome: Leadership training including how to develop one’s personal capabilities, work with others, and focus on results/outcomes

• Dr. Andrew Ballinger, NC Institute of Climate Sciences
• Dr. Stefanie Chen, Department of Biotechnology Teaching
• Dr. Christine Culler, Department of Clinical Sciences, Terry Companion Veterinary Medical Center
• Dr. Younggeon Jin, Department of Clinical Sciences, CVM
• Dr. Eleanor Lahr, Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology
• Dr. Deepika Saini, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
• Dr. Kunwar Singh, Department of Forest and Environmental Resources
• Dr. Erin Sproul, Department of Biomedical Engineering
• Dr. Xinyu Zhang, Department of Biomedical Engineering

In 2016-2017, 14 postdocs applied and 7 postdocs were awarded. Recipients were notified in September 2016.

• Dr. Dane Grismer, Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
• Dr. Pandiyarajan Chinnayan Kannan, Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
• Dr. Serina Mazzoni-Putnam, Department of Plant and Microbial Biology
• Dr. Kurt Schab, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Dr. Deborah Soares Bispo Santos Silva, Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences
• Dr. Derek Van Berkel, Center of Geospatial Analytics
• Dr. Diana Oviedo Vargas, Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric

In 2015-2016, 16 postdocs applied and 6 postdocs were awarded. Recipients were notified in September 2015.

Dr. Thomas Lentz

Biotechnology Program

Dr. Lentz used the professional development award to improve his teaching ability, specifically in the area of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Dr. Lentz enrolled in two online teacher training courses through the CAST professional learning organization which focused on how to design a course with learning variability in mind, and how to tailor that message for the science classroom. Drawing form what he learned in these courses, Dr. Lentz has already transformed his lesson plans for the Biotechnology (BIT) 100 course he teaches at NC State.

Dr. Hiroyuki Mochizuki

Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences

In October 2015, Dr. Mochizuki presented his research on the management of animal cancers using a molecular biology approach at the Veterinary Cancer Society (VCS) annual conference. The VCS annual conference is the largest veterinary oncology meeting in the world, with the purpose of improving standards of care in the management of veterinary patients with cancer. Dr. Mochizuki’s presentation was regarding development of a new molecular diagnostic test for early detection of canine bladder/prostate cancer, which is usually detected in advanced stage and carries poor prognosis due to the lack of reliable diagnostic tests.

Dr. Muntazar Monsur

Department of Design Research

Dr. Monsur used the professional development award to fund his research on the effects of outdoor classrooms on children’s STEM learning behavior. Dr. Monsur conducted a randomized controlled trial to examine the effects of an outdoor classroom intervention on three STEM learning behaviors of preschool-aged children. Funds were used to buy STEM tools for the experiments and create modifications for the outdoor classroom. Dr. Monsur presented his research at the 2016 Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA) conference, as well as at the Postdoc Research Symposium at NC State.

Dr. Jonathan Mueller

Department of Nuclear Engineering

Dr. Jonathan Mueller used the professional development award to attend the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) Winter Meeting. At the conference, he learned about how to develop engaging question formats to probe student learning, and how to successfully utilize a flipped classroom format. Furthermore, he learned new techniques for laboratory demos and research-based learning assessments. The conference solidified his career interest in becoming a faculty member in physics.

Dr. Qing Shao

Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering

Dr. Shao attended the 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) annual conference, where he gave two oral talks, one poster presentation, and networked with colleagues from universities across the US. He also presented his poster as the 2016 Postdoctoral Research Symposium.

Dr. Kathryn Stevenson

Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Program

Dr. Stevenson presented her research in environmental education and policy at the North American Association of Environmental Education in San Diego, CA. Through her participation in the conference, Dr. Stevenson created opportunities to take her research team to the Conservation Psychology Institution at Anitoch University, fostered a mentor relationship with a premier research in the field, developed professional development workshops, and reconnect with professionals across the country.  

In 2014-2015, 23 postdocs applied and 5 postdocs were awarded. The awards were presented on September 25, 2014 in the Hunt Library as part of National Postdoctoral Appreciation Week.

Dr. Brian Cummins

Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering – Dr. Frances Ligler’s group

Dr. Cummins used the Professional Development Award for Postdocs (PDAP) to implement the coaching support and resources of the Udacity “How to Build a Startup” course by developing a smart phone application to incentivize people with Type 1 Diabetes to test themselves more frequently throughout the day, and then receive user feedback. Dr. Cummins also participated in the 4th Annual Postdoctoral Research Symposium, where he won 1st place for his research poster presentation.

Dr. Megan Fritz

Entomology Department – Dr. Fred Gould’s group

Dr. Fritz organized and hosted a Software Carpentry’s “A Programming Boot Camp for Biologists” event on January 29 and 30, 2015 in the Hunt Library. The event was a training opportunity for postdocs, graduate students, faculty, and research staff. Dr. Fritz also participated in the 4th Annual Postdoctoral Research Symposium, where she won 2nd place for her research poster presentation.

Dr. Carlos Goller

Biotechnology Department – Dr. Robert Kelly’s group

With the funding available from the PDAP, Dr. Goller hired an undergraduate student to help develop a new course, “Yeast Metabolic Engineering” in Spring 2015 for 7 undergraduate and graduate students. The course will be offered again in Fall 2015 for 18 undergraduate and graduate students. Dr. Goller co-authored a manuscript on the new course he developed that was recently accepted to Journal of Young Investigators .

Dr. Ying Liu

Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Department – Dr. Michael Dickey’s group

Dr. Liu attended several workshops at the 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers’ conference in Atlanta, GA, including: the “Women Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Fellows in Chemical Engineering: Developing your Career” workshop by the AIChE’s Women’s Initiatives Committee, the “Looking for an Academic Job – The Process and the Package” workshop by the AIChE’s Women’s Initiatives Committee, and a luncheon with keynote speaker, Dr. Jennifer Sinclair Curtis on career development.

Dr. Liliana Mellor

Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering – Dr. Elizabeth Loboa’s group

Dr. Mellor delivered a podium presentation, “Changes in Articular Cartilage Associated with Reduced Gravity May Contribute to Subchondral Bone Loss”, at the 2014 American Society for Gravitational and Space Research in Pasadena, CA. During March 2015, she led an outreach activity at Swift Creek Elementary School in Raleigh, NC to thirty fifth graders using “Genes in a Bottle” kits.

In 2013-2014, 37 postdocs applied and 4 postdocs were awarded. The awards were presented on September 20, 2014 in the Hunt Library as part of National Postdoctoral Appreciation Week.

Dr. Theodore Brzinski

Physics Department – Dr. Karen Daniels’ group

Dr. Brzinski designed and developed a new laboratory module and lab report for an undergraduate Physics course to measure entropy with respect to temperature. He gained valuable teaching experience through instructing approximately 30 students on the lab module.

Dr. Tiina Nypelo

Forest Biomaterials Department – Dr. Orlando Rojas’ group

In March 2014, Dr. Nypelo presented a lecture, “Lignin as precursor for functional particles”, at the Symposium of Functional Lignocellulosic and Nanotechnology at the 247th American Chemical Society National Meeting and Exposition in Dallas, TX

Dr. Kota Takahaski

Biomedical Engineering Department – Dr. Gregory Sawicki’s group

Dr. Takahaski presented a tutorial lecture, “From body to joints to muscles: an integrative multi-scale assessment of ankle and foot function in human locomotion”, at the 2014 Gait & Clinical Movement Analysis Society Annual Conference at the University of Delaware. At the 7th World Congress for Biomechanics in Boston in July 2014, Dr. Takahaski presented a poster titled, “A user-controlled powered ankle exoskeleton to drive gait modifications post-stroke”.

Dr. Chenxi Zhang

Crop Science Department – Dr. Tom Rufty’s group

Dr. Zhang presented a poster, “Evaluation of Ammonia Volatilization from Stabilized Urea Sources via Continuous Measurement”, at the 2013 American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, & Soil Science Society of America International Annual Meeting in Tampa, FL. The following spring Dr. Zhang attended a workshop, “Statistical Methods for Genome-Enabled Prediction of Complex Traits” at the 26th Annual Conference on Applied Statistics in Agriculture at Kansas State University.