From Postdoc to PI: Navigating the Early Stages of an Academic Career

In fifteen words or less, explain the significance of this contribution (Novel Aspect).: Navigating the Early Stages of an Academic Career

Abstract Text:

I earned my PhD in chemistry from the University of Strathclyde (UK) in 2018, then moved to the US for postdoctoral training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. I later joined Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) and Harvard Medical School as a Research Fellow, and in January 2024, I started my independent lab in the Department of Radiation Oncology at DFCI. My research focuses on developing molecular imaging technologies and radiotheranostic agents for cancer detection and treatment. In this talk, I’ll share my journey navigating the early stages of an academic career; from moving from the UK to the US as a postdoctoral researcher, to establishing my lab as a principal investigator in a research hospital. I’ll reflect on the challenges and transitions between these roles, the highs and lows, and key lessons learned along the way.