Best Postdoc Mentor Award

Congratulations to this years winner of the Best Mentor Award 

Anna M. Hagenston Hertle,  Heidelberg University, Germany.

"I was so deeply touched and honored simply to have been nominated for the best postdoc mentor award. Teaching and science are unquestionably my two greatest passions, and I delight in combining them as a mentor. My heartfelt thanks goes out to my students and former students for nominating me, and to all those who have supported me over the years and as a part of the voting process. It feels wonderful to be acknowledged in this way."

Anna received hundreds of votes from colleagues and friends who all appreciate his hard work as a postdoc mentor. Anna has won a $1000 research grant and a lab care package.

Anna M. Hagenston Hertle

Heidelberg University

"Anna possesses a unique calm and inspiring energy which is rarely found in supervisors as experienced as her. Her positive attitude towards not-successful experiments has given me the determination to continue working hard and not to lose hope on many dark days. One of her favorite quotes is “always make new mistakes” which also tells a lot about her life and work philosophy in general."

Qing Cao

Buffalo University

"Qing is an incredible postdoc in Dr. Zhen Yan's lab at SUNY Buffalo, where I completed my PhD. Qing is a true anchor in the lab, always supporting and helping others without question. She is a tremendous mentor and all of our lab members have learned so much from here. Recently, I left the lab and she has happily assumed the responsibility of helping my unfinished project to publication."

Brian Cook

University of California San Diego

"Brian is a hardworking, clever, and humorous postdoc in the Herzik lab. He joined the lab during the pandemic and despite all the restrictions due to COVID, he is always willing to help other members of the labs. Brian is knowledgeable and has a good sense of humor. Because of his personality, the undergrads/his mentees are not afraid to ask questions when they are working with him."

Daisy Y. Shu

Harvard University

"I am highly honored to nominate an incredibly devoted mentor, Daisy Shu, for the Best Postdoc Mentor Award. I met Daisy as a wide-eyed undergrad seeking research opportunities in pathology. I was drawn to her social media science communication blog, and so I reached out, inquiring about conducting research in her lab. This was the beginning of a life-changing experience."

Stanley Chu

New York University

"Stanley has taken mentorship to be as core a part of his job as research. He has lent his skills to students from undergraduates through PhDs and spearheaded new directions of research in our lab, from protein design to tissue culture. Stanley's mentorship centers the students, allowing us to develop our own projects and skills. He takes the time even for students who aren't directly assigned to him as mentees."

2020 winner

Tejeshwar Rao - University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States

Tejeshwar received hundreds of votes from colleagues and friends who all appreciate his excellent approach to mentorship. Tejeshwar has won a $1000 research grant and a lab care package.

“'I once read somewhere, that 'You don't need to have all the answers, you just have to be willing to share what you know'. And that is what mentoring is to me. It feels great to be appreciated for sharing my knowledge and things I have learnt with my juniors and colleagues. I want to thank them for nominating me and 'Proteintech' for acknowledging the same. This recognition makes me want to continue the good work, knowing that I am being admired and appreciated for my efforts."

2019 Winner

Isha Sharma

Northwestern University, United States

"I am overwhelmed to receive best post doc mentor award. Blessed to receive all love and appreciation from peers as well as from my juniors. Thanks a lot. Thank you so much Proteintech for giving me this recognition. This award boosted my morals. Certainly its going to propels me to become better version of myself. I never knew that so many people out there support and admire me because of my mentorship."

- Isha Sharma

2018 Winner

Dr. Callie Kwartler 

University of Texas Houston, United States

“Her ability to juggle her own projects as well as advise on other projects is admirable and demonstrates qualities of a PI. She has challenged me as a PhD student to approach questions and data in different ways. She provides a positive learning environment where I can hone my research skills and become a great scientist. Dr Kwartler has provided mentorship and guidance in balancing professional and personal life. When I joined the lab a year ago my house flooded during Hurricane Harvey, she helped me find stability in balancing work and the move out of my house. She has been a constant support throughout the year as both a mentor and a friend and I strive to become a mentor like her in the future.”

- Statement from Jamie Wright (University of Texas Houston Medical School)

2017 Winner

Dr. Janet Kumita

University of Cambridge, United Kingdom

“I am continually amazed by her efforts, and cannot think of another person more deserving of this recognition. As stated in the introduction for this award, “many critical mentors in science go unheralded.” Janet does not take on the vast responsibilities that come with playing a key role in managing an entire Centre on top of mentoring many researchers to get recognition, but I am certain there is no one in the Centre who does not appreciate and respect all that Janet does for us. Our Centre is undoubtedly a better place because of Dr. Kumita, and we are all most fortunate and grateful for her guidance.”

- Statement from Ryan Limbocker, University of Cambridge 

2016 Winner

Dr. Joshua Morgan

University of Delaware, United States

“Josh consistently bolsters the quality of work and scientific questioning, student motivation, and collaborative atmosphere among every lab in the department, and he deserves to be recognized for his contributions. Talking to Josh when grad school is downright discouraging helps to remind me that I love research, and I wouldn’t rather do anything else. His mentoring has inspired me to be a better mentor to my undergrads and to younger grad students in the department.”

- Statement from Jilian Melamed, University of Delaware.