Several enthusiastic postdocs have nominated themselves for the NUPA Executive Committee for the next year.
Now its time to vote for who you want to represent you and all postdocs for 2024-2025!
Learn more about each candidate below and cast your vote HERE by 12th August!
More information on Executive Committee positions and responsibilities can be found here.
VOTE NOW!
Morgane Chiesa
Department of Neuroscience (Chicago campus)
Preferred Positions:
- Treasurer
- Social Sub-committee Chair
Bio:
I am a postdoc working for the contractor lab on the downtown campus. I have been in Chicago for the past 3 years and would love to be part of an association that is relevant to me. I would love to engage with the community and build actions that can help fellow postdoc to feel part of a community that helps them thrive.
I have been a volunteer for the past year and a half for an association called Chicago for chicagoans that aims to help chicagoans discover their neighborhoods. Thanks to this, I have developed communication and management skills that I believe would be useful for this association.
Hendrik Dewald
Institute of Biomedical Engineering (Chicago campus)
Preferred Positions:
- Treasurer
- Internal Communications Coordinator
Bio:
My name is Hendrik, and I’m running for Treasurer or Internal Communications Coordinator of NUPA. I have greatly enjoyed attending NUPA-organized events the past 9 months of my Postdoc and feel that it’s only fair to give back. I have already been serving, in some capacity, both as a volunteer for the Social Committee and as an interim Treasurer. During my PhD, I served as Vice President and then President of my department’s Graduate Student Association, so have built up skills likely to be of help were I to be on the NUPA Executive Committee. I believe I’m well suited to either role, as I am quite organized and follow up regularly with administrative issues. Regardless of election outcomes, I hope to be of assistance to the new NUPA Executive Committee moving forward.
Kathryn Jackson-Jones
Department of Microbiology & Immunology and Division of Infectious Diseases (Chicago campus)
Preferred Positions:
- Co-Chair (Chicago campus)
- Internal Communications Coordinator
Bio:
I am originally from the UK and did my PhD at the University of Edinburgh in Human Genetics. I have been at Northwestern for just over 2 years now and work on understanding the host-pathogen interactions of HIV. I have been involved with NUPA since I started at Northwestern, joining the Social Sub-Committee and helping to organise events. I served as Co-Chair of NUPA for the 2023-2024 year and feel that my experience will be valuable in continuing the work of NUPA to support postdocs at Northwestern for the 2024-2025 year. I have a lot of leadership experience, I have served as Chair of the Edinburgh University Postgraduate Student Society and also Social Committee Chair for the Edinburgh University Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine. Being a postdoc is a strange position where you sometimes feel like you don’t fit into any “box”. I want to continue on the NUPA executive committee to help make Northwestern a more welcoming and collegial environment for everyone. I believe the aims of NUPA help to create this environment by supporting both professional development and wellbeing as well as facilitating connection to other Postdocs. I am excited to continue the great work of NUPA and also to grow and develop what we can offer.
Shareni Jeyamogan
Department of Surgery/ Transplant (Chicago campus)
Preferred Positions:
- Professional Development Sub-committee Chair
- External Communications Coordinator
- Internal Communications Coordinator
Bio:
“I aspire to inspire before I expire” is the motto and principle of my life. I have 5 years of leadership experience with an outstanding mentor record (given by my mentees and team members). I aspire to be the leader who can inspire positive, self-lifting qualities in everyone which can result in the growth of team members (in terms of personal growth, career growth and mental health) resulting in the birth of a new leader. My previous leadership roles had taught me the importance and impact a leader can have on an individual. Besides promoting a positive work environment by being a team player, a good listener and an empathetic mentor, I intend nominate myself to take up new leadership roles (as advertised in NUPA) to further enhance my leadership skills. I believe there is no end to growing one’s self and every experience is a learning experience.
Macham Mangut
Department of History (Evanston campus)
Preferred Positions:
- Professional Development Sub-committee Chair
- External Communications Coordinator
- Evanston Co-Chair
Bio:
My name is Macham Mangut. I am a postdoctoral scholar in the Nicholas Chabraja Center for Historical Studies, Department of History, Northwestern University. I am on the short visit from University of Jos in Nigeria. My current postdoctoral position will end June 30th, 2024 but I will be resuming for another one year postdoctoral position in the same department in September, 2024.
Julia Oktawiec
Department of Chemistry (Evanston campus)
Preferred Positions:
- Professional Development Sub-committee Chair
- Internal Communications Coordinator
- Treasurer
Bio:
I spent the past year on NUPA’s professional development committee as a member and really enjoyed being involved in planning events. My previous leadership experience includes leading 2 major grant writing projects during my postdoc and being in charge of regular beamtime experimentation (3x a year) during my PhD; as a PhD student I also was involved for two years with a social networking group at UC Berkeley called Women in Chemistry Initiative and organized social events, including game nights, a tie-dye event, and a Paint and Sip night for members of the Department. In my experience helping out with NUPA events, I found I really enjoyed trying to make events helpful to the postdoc community, and as a result I am interested in working to provide high-quality content as the head of the Professional Development sub-committee.
Jyotirmoy Ray
Department of Chemistry (Evanston campus)
Preferred Positions:
- Treasurer
- Administrative Coordinator
Bio:
I am Jyotirmoy Ray, and I obtained my PhD from IISc in 2022. I joined Northwestern University as a post-doc in the Chemistry Department in February 2022. I am thrilled to express my interest in joining the NUPA Executive Committee. With a passion for supporting postdoctoral scholars, I am eager to contribute my skills and experiences to NUPA.
I have a robust background in leadership, having served as the Convener of the Alchemist Club at the Indian Institute of Science. This role honed my financial management and organizational skills, making me well-suited for both the Treasurer and Administrative Coordinator positions. Additionally, my volunteer experience with the Alchemist Club has developed my collaborative abilities.
While I haven’t been directly involved with NUPA, I have attended several NUPA activities and found them inspiring. I am motivated to become more actively involved and help foster a supportive and inclusive environment for all postdocs.
I am confident that my leadership experience, proactive approach, and enthusiasm will be valuable assets to the NUPA Executive Committee.
Ridhi Sahani
Department of Biomedical Engineering (Chicago campus)
Preferred Positions:
- Professional Development Sub-committee Chair
- Chicago Co-Chair
Bio:
I started my postdoc in October 2023 and received my PhD from the University of Virginia. Over the past year I have been involved with NUPA as a volunteer on the social committee. I have helped organize and lead events such as the upcoming Indiana Dunes Trip and Yoga Days. I am also a co-organizer for the American Society of Biomechanics Postdoc Affinity group, through which I have organized several professional development events. During my graduate studies I served multiple leadership roles. I was the graduate recruitment co-chair and founding president of the University of Virginia student chapter for the American Society of Biomechanics. Based on my past and current leadership roles I believe I am well prepared to lead the NUPA professional development committee. I am also highly motivated to serve this role and have really enjoyed being part of NUPA! I look forward to your consideration and hope to stay involved in this great community!
