Postdoc Appreciation Week 2024

The National Postdoc Appreciation Week (PAW), which aims to celebrate the fantastic work that postdoctoral researchers do within the University community, took place between the 16-20 September this year.

Postdocs at the Institute for Regeneration and Repair took part in a packed programme of activities across the week including The Big Postdoc Quiz, the CMVM PAW Awards and the BioQuarter Postdoc Symposium.

CMVM PAW Awards

We are continuously inspired and impressed by our Postdocs’ hard work and dedication to science, student care and community engagement. As part of the appreciation week, the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine presented Postdoc Awards across several categories including citizenship, scientific advancement and student support.

Rocio Martinez Aguilar from our Centre for Reproductive Health won the award for her Contribution to Communities, Knowledge Exchange and Public Engagement. Rocio is an enthusiastic supporter of engaging with school age young people, helping to establish schools workshops, supporting out local schools and as is a core member of the CMVM-wide Science Insights work experience week, the only full time academic on the team. 

Luciana Luque and Giuseppe Torrisi, from the Centre for Regenerative Medicine, were named Runner-Up for Science Advancement Award as a joint nomination.

Certificate of PAW award for Rocio Martinez Aguilar

A total of thirteen IRR Postdocs were nominated for the CMVM Postdoc Appreciation Week awards and all demonstrated positive contributions to the CMVM community through their work, attitude, value and impact on others.

  • Contribution to Citizenship: Charlotte Repton (CRM)
  • Outstanding PostDoc: Isobel Mouat (CIR), Eleftheria Chatzantonaki (CRM), Utsa Karmakar (CIR), Bert Malengier-Davlies (CRH)
  • Student Support and Supervision: Rebecca Smith (CRM), Lorraine Pfavayi  (IRR SBS), Eleftheria Chatzantonaki  (CRM), Madeleine Cowie (CRM), Lizi Hegarty (CRM)

BioQuarter Postdoc Symposium

On Monday 16 September, postdocs from the IRR joined in the BioQuarter Postdoc Society Symposium at the new Usher Building.

After a series of flashtalks and poster presentations, Florent Petitprez a PI at the Centre for Reproductive Health shared his insights into fellowship applications and asking for funding.

This was followed by a presentation from Natalie Jones, who manages the multidisciplinary u-Care project, on her transition from postdoc to project manager within a university setting. 

The event concluded with a prize giving ceremony, where CRH’s Meaghan Griffiths was awarded the Best Flashtalk prize for her presentation on the impact of endometriosis on anti-Mullerian hormone and consequences for fertility.

Meet the Postdoc

The College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine launched a social media series #MeetThePostdoc asking Postdocs to share their wisdom and insight from their role.

Mariska Simpson from the Anderson Lab at the Centre for Inflammation Research shared her thoughts along with Rana Fetit from the Williams Lab within the Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Bert Malengier-Devlies at the Centre for Reproductive Health.

[A memorable achievement was] conducting my first independent experiment after being out of the lab on maternity leave. I now know that I won't forget how to pipette, however long I am out of the lab!” 

Mariska Simpson

Enjoy the process. It's a whole package - the ups and downs, the failed experiments and the exciting results. Follow the truth wherever it may take you and do not stop questioning.

Rana Fetit

As a postdoc, teaching a mentoring students is rewarding, especially seeing the gratitude and further progress in academia or industry…I highly recommend pursuing a postdoc. It’s a great opportunity to further develop as a researcher and build your own identity.

Bert Malengier-Devlies

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