Executive Board

UPPDA Executive Board for 2023-2024

President: Rachael Rush, PhD

President: Rachael Rush, PhD
Department of Infectious Diseases & Microbiology, School of Public Health

Rachael is a Pittsburgh native and second-year post-doc in the Center for Vaccine Research and the Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology in the School of Public Health. She studies the pathogenesis of arboviruses such as Rift Valley Fever virus, with a focus on viral entry and tropism. During her graduate studies, she served as the president of the graduate student and graduate women advocating science organizations at her institution. She is excited to advocate for post-docs through her position as president and wants to continue the tradition of the UPPDA helping post-docs grow both professionally and personally. Outside of the lab, she loves to try new restaurants around Pittsburgh with her spouse Dylan and hang out with her two cats, Sam and Sadie. 

Advocacy Committee Chair: Shakti Dahiya, PhD

Advocacy Committee Chair: Shakti Dahiya, PhD
Department of Surgery, School of Medicine

Shakti Dahiya, PhD is currently serving as a Postdoctoral Associate in Dr. Farzad Esni's lab at the Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, USA. Shakti holds a master's degree from a prestigious institute in India, where she received a Gold Medal for her exceptional academic performance. Shakti’s research in India focused on polymeric nano formulations against neurodegenerative disorders and enhancing the anti-diabetic activity of herbal bio-actives through nanoencapsulation.
Motivated by her passion for diabetes research and prior experience in the field, Shakti joined Dr. Esni's lab at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh in 2022 as a Postdoctoral Associate. She is currently involved in projects related to pancreatic development, regeneration, and the conversion of acinar cells to beta cells using focal adhesion kinase inhibitor-mediated signaling. Reprogramming acinar cells into functional β-like cells has the potential to provide an abundant source of insulin-producing cells.
Recognizing the importance of advocating for postdoctoral researchers, Shakti is eager to contribute to the National Postdoctoral Association Advocacy Committee. By collaborating with colleagues from around the country, she aims to address crucial issues and drive positive change on a broader scale. Furthermore, she will actively engage with the Office of Academic Career Development (OACD) to address advocacy concerns specific to our local postdoctoral community, ensuring their voices are heard and their interests are represented. Shakti is eager to work alongside fellow board members and UPPDA members to drive positive change and create a supportive and empowering environment for all postdocs.

International Committee Chair: Diego R. Hernandez Espinosa, PhD

International Committee Chair: Diego R. Hernandez Espinosa, PhD
Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine

Diego is a third-year postdoctoral associate in the Department of Neurobiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He received his MD from the National Autonomous University of Mexico School of Medicine (2012) and his Ph.D. in biomedical sciences in neuropathology from the same institution. His research focuses on characterizing the processes that govern the inflammatory response in the nervous system and how to modulate them to promote neuronal survival after injury. He is also interested in disseminating knowledge to the general public and promoting science for the benefit of the human community.

As UPPDA International chair, Diego's main goal is to promote the inclusion and integration of all postdocs, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, or culture, in an environment that promotes optimal personal development and academic and personal well-being.

Diversity and Inclusion Chair: Chantele Mitchell-Miland, PhD, MPH

Diversity and Inclusion Chair: Chantele Mitchell-Miland, PhD, MPH
Department of Medicine, School of Medicine

I am an NIGMS funded postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. My work focuses on exploring how diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and practices contribute to diversifying the biomedical work force at the institutional level. I am also directing the development of DEI programs at two research centers at VA Pittsburgh Health System.  The majority of my research has focused on vulnerable populations, health disparities, and health equity. I have learned how the deficit of diversity and inclusion in the workforce has a significant impact on research efforts which further exacerbates inequities in healthcare.
 
I have over 20 years experience data management, database development, and data analysis - skills that are vitally important to being an Epidemiologist and independent researcher. My doctoral dissertation, titled “The Effect of Weight Reduction Interventions on Health-Related Quality of Life Among Overweight/Obese Individuals with a focus on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Reduction” introduced me to a systems level approach to evaluating patient outcomes in healthcare. I earned a certificate in health equity December 2020 which provided hands on training to work with vulnerable populations. I have worked 11 years at VAPHS where I have gained a full experience from completing patient interviews, to project management and development as well as writing and presenting research findings. Through my experiences as an underrepresented minority biomedical scientist and from learning from other underrepresented colleagues and mentors, I am aware of the challenges faced at many levels within institutions and the need to find viable solutions to improve or efforts towards workforce diversity.

Career Development Committee Chair: Megan Mahlke, PhD

Career Development Committee Chair: Megan Mahlke, PhD
Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, School of Medicine

Megan is a 4th year Postdoctoral Associate at the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center where her research is focused on the epigenetics of human centromeres and how precise maintenance of centromere identity is critical for preserving genomic integrity. She is proud to be a member of the Hillman Cancer Center Women’s Initiatives Task Force, where she serves on both the Trainee Outreach and Emotional Wellness committees.  Megan is also a co-organizer of the Steel City Chromatin Club, an epigenetics-focused journal club that aims to connect researchers and foster collaboration between research groups throughout Pittsburgh. Megan is eager to serve the University of Pittsburgh postdoctoral community as Career Development Chair and hopes to help postdocs maximize their opportunities for professional growth.

Communications Chair: Jianan Jian, PhD

Communications Chair: Jianan Jian, PhD
Department of Urology, School of Medicine

Jianan received his B.S. in Mathematics from UCBL, France (2015), his M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Pitt (2017) and INSA Lyon, France (2018), and his Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Pitt (2021). He is currently a postdoctoral associate in the department of Urology at Pitt. His research aims at developing safer and more effective neuromodulation therapies to restore the control of visceral functions for spinal cord injured people. His other interests include optimization methods, control theory, game theory, and machine learning. Before joining the UPPDA, Jianan served as the event coordinator at the Graduate Student Association of the ECE department at Pitt. As the Communication Chair of UPPDA, Jianan will work on connecting the postdoctoral community and promoting our events.

Networking Chair: Desire Casares Marfil, PhD

Networking Chair: Desire Casares Marfil, PhD
Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine

Desire is a second-year Postdoctoral Associate in the Department of Pediatrics in the School of Medicine. She received her B.S. in Biological Sciences (2017), M.S. in Genetics and Evolution (2018) and her PhD in Biomedicine (2022) from the University of Granada, Spain. Her research is focused on the analysis of immune mediated diseases from genomic and epigenomic perspectives using different bioinformatic methodologies and subsequent functional approaches. She is also interested in the communication of scientific knowledge to society, so she has participated in scientific dissemination events. Currently, she contributes to different Spanish scientific dissemination media. As the UPPDA Networking chair, Desire will work to provide visibility to the UPPDA as well as coordinate with the rest of the members to create the best environment for Pitt's postdoctoral community.