Awards

The Distinguished Mentor Award (DMA) recognizes Thomas Jefferson University faculty members who excel in mentoring postdoctoral fellows. The award also serves to highlight the importance of positive and effective mentoring of postdoctoral fellows. A good mentor not only teaches his/her mentees but serves as an advocate, adviser and positive role model during the period of direct training and in the following years.

Eligibility

Each nominee must be a faculty member of Jefferson, nominated by a postdoctoral fellow. The nominee does not need to be the direct supervisor/PI of the postdoc who submits the nomination. Faculty members are not eligible to receive the DMA in consecutive years.

Nominations

A postdoctoral fellow may nominate a faculty member who has mentored him/her for at least six months. Submissions are made using the official nomination form, limited to one form per postdoc per year. The nominator is highly encouraged to include supporting nominations from other current postdocs and/or letters of support from former Jefferson postdocs.

Nomination forms and all supporting material must be e-mailed to Lisa Kozlowski or delivered to M-46 Jefferson Alumni Hall.

Selection

The recipient is chosen by the DMA Selection Committee, based on criteria set out in the nomination form. The Committee is chaired by Lisa Kozlowski, PhD, Associate Dean for Student & Postdoctoral Affairs, and consists of past DMA winners and postdocs.

The DMA is presented at the annual Postdoctoral Research Symposium or at another suitable event. All nominated mentors are recognized and a list of nominees is distributed via email to senior administration, faculty, staff, postdoctoral fellows and students at Thomas Jefferson University as well as listed on this page.

2023 – Joseph Tracy, PhD, ABPP/CN    

Nominees were:

• James S. Harrop, MD, MSHQS, FACS
• Erica Middleton, PhD
• Anna Pluciennik, PhD
• Holly Ramage, PhD
• Amit Srivastava, PhD
• Jianxin Sun, PhD
• Mudit Tyagi, PhD, PGDBT

2022 – Ulhas Naik, PhD

Nominees were:

• Ulhas Naik, PhD
• Mudit Tyagi, PhD, PGDBT
• Kuang-Yi Wen, PhD

The Jefferson College of Life Sciences Dean’s Office and the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs are pleased to be able to continue to provide travel fellowships for postdoctoral fellows. These awards are meant to help defray the cost of attending a national or international meeting at which an abstract has been accepted. Starting with the October 2015 application cycle, postdocs are allowed to apply their fellowship to help defray the costs of a career or professional development opportunity, such as a course or workshop not available at Jefferson, for example, meetings and courses program or special topics courses.

Since our 12th year of this initiative in 2016, we were able to grant fellowships with larger amounts. We hope that this will allow faculty and departments to more easily cover the remaining travel expenses. The travel fellowships can be requested in amounts up to $1000. Postdoctoral fellows that are at least in the second year of their current postdoctoral position at TJU by the time of the meeting are eligible to apply. The Awards and Fellowships Committee of the JCLS Graduate Council reviews and selects fellowship recipients on a competitive basis. Only one fellowship will be awarded per postdoctoral fellow while at Jefferson.

Deadlines are February 1, June 1 and October 1.

This initiative was spurred by the results from the 2005 Jefferson Postdoctoral Association (JPA) survey. The data demonstrated that more than 85% of JPA survey respondents went to 1 meeting or less/year over the course of their postdoctoral tenure. Attendance and presentation at scientific meetings allow postdocs to share their results with colleagues, hone their presentation skills, as well as network with scientists from across the globe. The survey results along with our commitment to enhance the professional development training of Jefferson postdocs prompted us to establish these travel fellowships.

Official guidelines and an application form are available below. Please contact Dr. Lisa Kozlowski with any questions.

The Friend of the JPA (Jefferson Postdoctoral Association) Award is given each year to someone who has helped the postdoctoral fellows at Jefferson in general as well as the JPA specifically. Past recipients include:

2023 - Graduate Student Association (GSA) - For their active collaboration, kindness, and visible support of JPA initiatives and events throughout the years.

2021 - Judith Lewis, BS - For her guidance in supporting JPA initiatives, and her dedication and care towards all Jefferson postdoctoral fellows. She was a constant source of knowledge and assistance when planning postdoctoral events, and was involved in each step of the organization process.

2020 - Jenny Schneider, PhD - For her guidance in supporting JPA initiatives and her dedication and care towards all Jefferson Postdoctoral Fellows. Jenny is one of the go-to people for Jefferson's postdoctoral fellows. Her efforts include compiling a weekly e-newletter highlighting open positions, useful webinars and resources at Jefferson and other organizations. She successfully revamped the international postdoc buddy program, assisting the international postdoc community with a smooth onboarding process.

2019 - Pamela Walter, MFA - For her dedication and guidance in developing and supporting many JPA initiatives, including the Postdoctoral Scientific Editing and Reviewing Team (PSERT), the Technical Skills Seminar Series (TSSS), National Postdoctoral Appreciation Week (NPAW), and the Postdoctoral Research Symposium (PRS).

2018 - Dr. Lisa Kozlowski - Associate Dean for Student and Postdoctoral Affairs and Director, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs in the Jefferson College of Life Sciences - For her constant guidance and mentoring and for organizing professional development workshops, seminars, speed networking events, career roundtables, the annual Postdoctoral Research Symposium, and much more. She has dedicated 14 years to implementing policies and providing career guidance and professional advice to Jefferson's postdoctoral fellows. 

2017 - Office of Animal Resources - For its active support of postdoctoral fellows’ research by maintaining the animal facilities, caring for the animals, assisting in orientation and training of researchers, and helping postdocs follow the appropriate protocols and regulations.

2015 - In honor of the 10th year of the Postdoctoral Research Symposium (PRS), the Executive Board of the JPA honored a member of the Jefferson community with the JPA “Friend of the Decade” Award. The winner was Dr. Gerald Grunwald, JCLS Dean, for his constant contributions to the postdoctoral community at Thomas Jefferson University, including providing a budget to the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, JPA, and Postdoctoral Travel Fellowships. He also plays an active role in our Postdoctoral Fellowship Application Program (PFAP) and attends social events. He provides constant support and guidance that is felt throughout the Jefferson postdoctoral community. 

2014 - Gary Kaplan - Senior Librarian at Scott Library - For his continuing help with PFAP.

2013 - Dr. Gerald Grunwald - JCBS Dean - For his key role in developing the university's postdoctoral policies, creating the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, and encouraging the establishment of the JPA.

2012 - TJU Office of International Affairs - For their continuous help and care of our international postdocs.

2011 - Dr. James Keen - Faculty member and past JCBS Dean - For all of his help in establishing the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and the JPA.

2010 - Dr. Mary Whitman - Jefferson Alumna, Director of Medical Affairs at Centocor (Janssen) - For her help in obtaining funding for PRS from Centocor/Johnson & Johnson.

2009 - Charles Mullins - Thomas Jefferson University Department of Nutrition and Dietetics - For his help with all of our catering needs.

2008 - Dr. Carol Beck - JCLS Associate Dean - For her help with raffle prizes for our Mardi Gras party.

2007 - Karen Krasnavolgyi - Scott Library - For her help with starting PFAP.

2006 - Dr. Dennis Gross - JCLS Associate Dean - For his continuous encouragement of the JPA.