CVMBS Postdoc Receives ‘Best Flash Talk’ Award At University-Wide Research Symposium
Story by Dr. Floris Dröes, CVMBS Postdoctoral Association; Dr. Ashley Gustafson Seabury and Eleni Vonda, CVMBS Research & Graduate Studies
Dr. Lauren Stranahan, a College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVMBS) postdoctoral researcher (postdoc), was awarded the best flash talk during Texas A&M University’s fifth annual Postdoctoral Research Symposium on Sept. 22.
During the event, held in celebration of National Postdoc Appreciation Week, postdoctoral researchers from 28 departments across the university presented their research to fellow postdocs, faculty, and other participants from within the Texas A&M community.
More than 20 postdocs shared their research findings during live flash talks, while another 16 discussed their findings in several virtual poster rooms. Approximately one-third of the participants and one-third of the faculty judging flash talks and posters were CVMBS members.
Stranahan, who supports the CVMBS’ Arenas-Gamboa Laboratory, was awarded the best flash talk for her presentation, “Rough Brucella canis is less inflammatory than its smooth counterparts following intratracheal inoculation in mice.”
Stranahan encourages other postdocs to share their work in future Postdoctoral Research Symposiums and similar events.
“Just share your excitement, especially if your time is short, like in a flash talk,” she said. “If you’re excited about your research, others will get excited too.”
According to the CVMBS’ Postdoctoral Association (CVMBS PDA) president Chi-Hsuan Sung, the entire CVMBS PDA is extremely proud of Stranahan and congratulate her for her “outstanding achievement of the flash talk award.”
“We are so proud of Dr. Stranahan’s first place performance in the flash talks,” said Dr. Michael Criscitiello, CVMBS associate dean for Research & Graduate Studies (RGS). “She conveyed the impact of her research project, the Arenas-Gamboa Lab, and our college most admirably within the confines of the format.”
The symposium also featured opening remarks from Dr. Jack Baldauf, Texas A&M’s interim vice president for research; Dr. Amy Waer, dean of the College of Medicine; and Criscitiello. Closing remarks on career options for people with Ph.D.s were provided by Melanie Sinche, author of “Next Gen PhD” and the University of Saint Joseph’s interim assistant dean for Academic Affairs and Career Development Center director.
The Texas A&M University Postdoctoral Association (TAMU PDA), the Texas A&M Health Sciences Center Postdoctoral Association (TAMHSC PDA), and the CVMBS PDA worked collaboratively to create the symposium’s virtual program.
The three postdoctoral associations could not have organized this symposium without the excellent leadership and support over the past several months from Dr. Andreea Trache, faculty adviser for the TAMU PDA; Dr. Ashley GustafsonSeabury, CVMBS RGS program manager; Eleni Vonda, CVMBS RGS program assistant; Stacy DeLeon, administrator of postdoctoral affairs for the Health Sciences Center; Shannon Eyre, senior administrative coordinator for the Texas A&M Division of Research; Mona Somers, executive assistant for the Office of the Vice President of Research; and several volunteer members of the three PDAs.
The PDAs thank all for their continued efforts, including the former CVMBS PDA president, the “indefatigable” Dr. Floris Dröes, “whose creative ideas, coordination initiatives, dedication, and hard work made this time-sensitive event an overall success,” Vonda said.
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Contact Information: Jennifer Gauntt, Director of VMBS Communications, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, jgauntt@cvm.tamu.edu, 979-862-4216
