A Celebratory End to the Year

On December 13, 2023, almost forty Carnegie Mellon postdocs gathered for a winter celebration at Lucca Ristorante, along with Vice Provost for Faculty Dr. Shelley Anna, Vice Provost for Education Dr. Amy Burkert, and the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs. It was a wonderful evening of good food and community-building, marking the end of the semester and the beginning of Winter Break.

The Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs held a raffle as part of the evening's festivities, featuring winter-themed baskets. A Winter Warm-Up basket held mugs, hot drinks, and snacks; a Winter's Night In basket held games, snacks, and a reading light; and a Comfy Cozy basket held a CMU blanket, scarf, and socks. Congratulations to our three lucky winners! (Get to know our winners through the Postdoc Spotlight column, at the end of this newsletter!)

Attendees also shared their favorite winter-in-Pittsburgh activities, which the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs has collected (and added to!) in the list below. We hope you find time this season to have a few winter adventures. Click here to access the full list.

Postdoc Slack Channel

Join your fellow postdocs using this informal, instant messaging and communication platform to share information, events, ideas, and more! The official name of the channel is "CMU Junior Faculty." You can join via this link or by clicking below:

NCFDD (National Center for Faculty Diversity and Development)

NCFDD is a leading provider of professional development in higher education. CMU has an institutional membership, so be sure to take advantage of this resource if you haven't already! To do so, go here and select Carnegie Mellon University from the list of members. Then, select “Activate My Membership” and complete the registration form using your CMU email address. Finally, a confirmation email will include an “Activate Account” link. Please note that the myriad resources available through this organization are not limited to professional development opportunities for faculty or future faculty. This resource is available to all postdocs, not just faculty or future faculty.

Two offerings to explore:

The Core Curriculum: This series offers 10 key skills and provides the opportunity to complete them at your own pace. The skills include “Every Semester Needs a Plan” and “The Art of Saying ‘No.’”

The NCFDD Mentor Map: Skill #7 of The Core Curriculum, “Cultivating Your Network of Mentors & Sponsors,” offers a webinar that fully introduces this tool. You can access a visual representation of the Mentor May here.

The Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs is in the preliminary stages of creating a Postdoc Advisory Board that will partner with us to share ideas, plan events, and bring postdocs together. Details about our first meeting will be announced soon.

Interested in being part of the Advisory Board? Please fill out this interest form, and we'll be in touch!

Welcome to the Postdoc Spotlight column, where you can get to know a few of your postdoc colleagues! In this issue, we're featuring the three winners of the basket raffle held during the Postdoc Winter Gathering last month. Thank you to Mahboobeh Mehrvarv, Renuka Hyderkhan, and Huijing Wang for answering questions for The Postdoc Post!

Mahboobeh Mehrvarv (she/her)

Postdoctoral Fellow at the Human-Computer Interaction Institute



Hometown: Iran, Fars Province, Abadeh City

What are your academic and/or professional goals?

My professional goals involve conducting valuable research and projects focused on utilizing artificial intelligence in digital education. Additionally, I am interested in designing and developing intelligent tutoring systems for digital games and e-learning programs. My goal is to excel in my field and be highly skilled.

Tell us about a significant moment in your journey at CMU so far.

A significant moment in my journey at CMU was the opportunity to meet my supervisor, Professor Bruce McLaren, who is one of the best in my favorite field. It was a moment I had eagerly anticipated for a long time. Collaborating with him to further develop and implement my ideas has been an incredibly rewarding and memorable experience during my time at the university.

What do you like to do in your time away from academic work? 

During my time away from academic work, I find joy in exploring the diverse attractions of Pittsburgh, doing exercise, watching award-winning films, and spending time with friends in friendly gatherings. These activities provide me with the chance to relax, unwind, and rejuvenate outside of my academic pursuits.

Tell us about your last memorable meal. What was it, where did you have it, and who were you with?

One of the most memorable meals I've had recently was at the Postdoc Winter Gathering 2023, where all post-doctoral researchers were invited. The organizers created a welcoming and delightful atmosphere, and the overall experience was exceptional. I was fortunate enough to win a valuable prize through a raffle, which made the moments even more enjoyable.

What’s your favorite thing about Pittsburgh?



As a newcomer to both the United States and the city of Pittsburgh, I am particularly drawn to the city's small, beautiful urban environment adorned with charming bridges. Additionally, observing deer and squirrels in the surroundings has been fascinating and captivating for me. Simultaneously, the city offers a calm and safe atmosphere, characterized by warm-hearted and friendly people, making it an absolutely delightful place to live.

Renuka Hyderkhan (she/her)

Postdoctoral Research Associate with the Department of Mechanical Engineering

Hometown: Hyderabad, India

What are your academic and/or professional goals?

As a Postdoctoral Research Scientist at Carnegie Mellon University, I specialize in materials synthesis, nanofabrication, and advanced characterization tools. In addition to my academic role, I am actively involved in a cleantech startup focused on polymer coatings for Li-ion batteries. Our innovative coatings contribute to significantly increasing the lifespan of batteries, aligning with the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions. Looking ahead, I am dedicated to pushing the boundaries of materials science and making tangible impacts through innovative research and practical applications. The dual role in academia and the startup realm allows me to bring a unique perspective to both fields, promoting the understanding and application of advanced materials in real-world scenarios.

Tell us about a significant moment in your journey at CMU so far.

A pivotal moment in my CMU journey was being selected for the 2023-2024 Innovation

Commercialization Fellowship. As one of five chosen PhD students/postdocs, I am gaining invaluable training in entrepreneurship, courtesy of CMU's Swartz Center and the Center for Technology Transfer. This program is equipping me to take a leadership role in launching startup ventures, aligning perfectly with my goal of bridging academic research with real-world applications. This experience is shaping me to contribute meaningfully to the entrepreneurial landscape.

What do you like to do in your time away from academic work? 

I am a voracious reader. So, in my time away from academic work I immerse myself in the world of literature. I am currently captivated by Haruki Murakami's Norwegian Wood, savoring the intricacies of the Japanese author's storytelling. Additionally, I indulge in testing my culinary skills, finding joy and creativity in the art of cooking.

Tell us about your last memorable meal. What was it, where did you have it, and who were you with?

My last memorable meal was in Boston, MA, at the popular Boston Chowda Co. in Quincy

Market. The delectable lobster rolls and clam chowder left a lasting impression. I shared this delightful experience with my husband during a whale-watching trip to Boston last year. The combination of delicious food and the backdrop of the historic market made it a truly unforgettable dining experience.

What’s your favorite thing about Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh's allure lies in its seamless blend of history and modernity, creating a rich cultural tapestry. Among my favorite spots are the Carnegie Museums, offering a range of experiences spanning art, natural history, and science. The Duquesne Incline, treating visitors to breathtaking views of the city skyline, adds a touch of wonder. Additionally, the vibrant mix of shops and eateries in the Strip District completes the experience, making Pittsburgh a city where every corner tells a unique story.

Huijing Wang (she/her)

Postdoctoral Research Associate with the Department of Physics

Hometown: Nanyang, Henan, China



What are your academic and/or professional goals?

What strategy single cells use to tune their response to environmental stimuli is a fundamental question. I am working on understanding the mechanisms that single cells respond to stimuli in the context of complex regulatory networks. The research helps predict cell behaviors and fate, which may shed light on precision medicine and health care related questions. Currently, my academic goals are to continue solving the mystery of complex regulatory networks in single cells using various tools, such as microfluidic devices, machine learning, and modeling, and to contribute to the welfare of society.

Tell us about a significant moment in your journey at CMU so far.

Since I arrived at Carnegie Mellon, I've been most thankful for the opportunity to work with Dr. Fangwei Si to develop research projects on bacteria physiology. With his support and input from other faculty members in the department, I am motivated to approach the problems from various perspectives, and learned new experimental and computational methods, such as microfluidic device fabrication and single cell image analysis, for solving questions. I am also grateful for the opportunity to participate in various conferences and seminars on campus. I have chances to communicate with top scientists in the fields, advance my research, and widen my outlook.

What do you like to do in your time away from academic work? 

I love outdoor activities, such as hiking, ping-pong, and painting in watercolor. I practice

drawing on location in the city during the weekends, which enables me to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Pittsburgh and relax my mind. Recently, I have been more into small DIY projects, such as 3D printing a robot arm in my spare time. I also enjoy reading books. I joined the book club, Constructive Interference, in our department last semester and enjoyed talking to people and discussing different opinions. I’m looking forward to learning more about and developing a better understanding of American culture.



Tell us about your last memorable meal. What was it, where did you have it, and who were you with?

The last memorable meal I had was for celebrating Iman’s graduation, the first undergraduate student in our lab, who majored in physics. We went to Pasha Mediterranean Restaurant for food. The restaurant is beautifully decorated to embrace the Christmas holidays. There was a huge Christmas tree beside the wall stove, and we were sitting right beside it. Almost everyone in our lab was there, undergraduate students, graduate students, postdocs, and Dr. Fangwei Si, the PI. Mediterranean foods are new to me. I had delicious apple tea and falafel and zucchini platter. Everyone is sad that Iman is leaving since she is near graduation, but all are happy for her reaching the milestone and hope she will start another exciting journey.

What’s your favorite thing about Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh is a city with a rich cultural heritage. It was forged in the crucible of iron and steel, but now transformed into a bacon that is prosperous in technological development, healthcare, and medicine. My favorite things include dance shows and drama shows in the downtown area. The recent dance show I went to is Caida Del Cielo, by Rocio Molina. There are many trails and museums in Pittsburgh city. I enjoy hiking on trails in Schenley Park and the Three Rivers Heritage Trail. And the Carnegie Museum of Natural History is such a pleasure to visit. I feel so lucky that I live in a friendly and warmhearted neighborhood.