How are you?
I’m doing really well, thank you for asking! 2025 has been a transformative year for my career, and as we head into Thanksgiving and the holidays, I’m really looking forward to taking a bit of a break and reconnecting with family. I’ll be heading up to Canada to spend time with my in-laws for the holidays, and this year my immediate family will be joining us as well. So, it feels like the perfect moment to pause, reflect on the challenges and accomplishments of the year, and appreciate the people who make it all worthwhile.
Please introduce yourself. What should the world know about Marta Overchuk?
By day, I am a biomedical engineer that specializes in cancer photomedicine, which is just a fancy way of saying I use light to make cancer treatments safer and more effective. Outside the lab, I am passionate about helping first-generation and international trainees navigate academia abroad—a path I walked myself as a student from Ukraine. I’ve built a small corner on the internet (@martaoverchuk on Instagram) where I share practical advice and tips on doing and communicating science. More recently, I’ve helped launch graphmatik.io, a premium-yet-free data visualization platform that is already in use by students/scientists alike in more than 40 countries. So, I suppose the world should know that I’m passionate about cancer research, helping others fall in love with science—and making it accessible to everyone.
In simple terms, can you tell us about your research area, what inspired you to pursue this field, and what projects you are working on right now?
My research focuses on photodynamic therapy (PDT), a treatment that uses light and special molecules called photosensitizers to selectively destroy cancer cells. Because these molecules remain harmless until activated by a specific wavelength of light, PDT gives us an unprecedented amount of control over when and where treatment occurs—something that’s invaluable in cancer care. In clinical practice, this means PDT can sometimes help patients avoid life-altering surgeries; for example, it’s sometimes used to eliminate tumors on the vocal cords to preserve a person’s ability to speak as much as possible. What drew me to this field is exactly that intersection of intellectual challenge and real-world impact—studying PDT brings together photochemistry, nanotechnology, pharmacokinetics, and the complex biology of tumors, all while offering the opportunity to make a tangible difference in patients’ lives. In the Rizvi lab, I’m working on using PDT to improve chemotherapy for metastatic ovarian cancer. Many patients are diagnosed only after the disease has already spread throughout the abdomen, forming tiny tumor deposits that are difficult to remove surgically and often become resistant to treatment. We’re exploring how light-activated chemistry can “prime” these residual cancer cells to respond better to chemotherapy—ideally boosting effectiveness while lowering the dose and associated toxicity.
It’s been an extraordinarily difficult period for Ukraine and its people, and I imagine it’s especially hard to be far from friends and family. How have you been holding up?
I moved to Chapel Hill just a few days after the full-scale invasion began, and I will never forget the emotional whiplash of that moment—taking in the blossoming trees on Franklin Street while processing countless images of explosions rocking the familiar skylines of my home. Nearly four years later, I still begin my day by checking the news and reaching out to friends and family, otherwise I can’t focus on my own work. It’s stressful, of course, but it’s nothing compared to what people back home endure: nights in bomb shelters, daily power outages, and the constant effort to keep some sense of normalcy for their children. Their resilience is both humbling and inspiring. I often come back to Benjamin Franklin’s quote: “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” For Ukrainians, this isn’t a philosophical idea—it’s their lived reality.
You’ve built an impressive social media following – what inspired you to start sharing your science online?
Throughout my career, whenever I worked through something quite challenging and achieved a significant milestone. Let’s say, for example, the first time I had an abstract selected for a talk at a conference or whenever I applied for and received a fellowship, my instinct has always been to share with others what I’d learned along the way. What started as small workshops for a handful of students at my alma mater naturally expanded into social media where I grew a community sharing what others refer to as, “big sister in the lab ” advice with young researchers around the world (@martaoverchuk on Instagram). As I’ve connected with so many more students through socials, I even began noticing areas where many trainees commonly struggle—like data visualization. Probably because most graduate students have not received any formal training in the subject and are instead expected to just pick these skills up on the fly. Unfortunately, even great science can fall flat if it’s not communicated well, which is why I’ve been sharing a lot of advice lately on effective data visuals and am also working whenever I can to help build graphmatik.io, a free platform that does a lot of the heavy lifting for you.
Do you have any advice for other postdocs who would like to improve their science communication skills and also be more active on social media?
When it comes to science communication, my advice would be to simply pay attention to what works and what doesn’t. If you attend a conference or seminar, take a moment to reflect on the flow, visuals, and delivery. If one talk really grabbed your attention, ask yourself why. Did the speaker follow some kind of workflow that tied everything together? Maybe an analogy or real-world example suddenly made the science “click.” Contrast this talk against others that you didn’t find as engaging. Maybe you found yourself overwhelmed by abbreviations and lulled to sleep by a monotone voice. Now do the same with your own presentations. Record yourself and watch it back with that same critical eye. Yes, everyone hates the sound of their own voice, but that’s how you improve. Small, intentional adjustments compound over time. As for social media, it helps to know your “why.” Think about who you want to help, what they need to know, and why you are the right person to share it. Once you have that clarity, dive in! At first, you’ll think there’s this giant spotlight on you and that every misstep is high stakes. But the liberating truth is that most people are busy with their own lives and they’re not keeping score of your so-called “failures.” By the time you do gain a following and people really are watching, you’ll already have plenty of practice under your belt.
You were recently awarded a K99-R00 – congratulations! What advice would you share with other postdocs who are thinking about applying for a K99?
Preparing a career transition award is one of the rare moments in your career when you get to intentionally shape your identity as a scientist. It’s a chance to ask yourself: What unique combination of skills do I bring to the table? What questions am I still going to be passionate about in 5–10 years? And what skills or expertise do I need to acquire to get there? This is where assembling a stellar advisory team becomes essential. Surround yourself with mentors who can guide you both scientifically and professionally, people who believe in your vision and will help you grow into someone who can realize it. On a more tactical level, plan early and give yourself enough time to resubmit. Needing a second round is extremely common and often yields stronger proposals. Seek feedback from as many peers as possible, it’s invaluable for identifying potential gaps in your logic or experimental plans. But, at the same time, do trust your instincts. Take in the feedback, but don’t let your project get diluted by other’s interests. The strongest K99s have a clear, confident scientific identity behind them… and that has to come from you.
Do you have any advice for new postdocs, or things that you wish you had known when you first started?
A postdoc is, by nature, a period of transition and growing pains, it can be one of the most challenging yet rewarding stages of your scientific career. My biggest advice for new postdocs is to approach this period with that transition in mind. Ask yourself: Where do I want to be 2–5 years after my PhD? What skills do I need to get there? If the answers aren’t clear yet, spend time connecting with people a few steps ahead of you and exploring different career paths until something resonates. Exploration is a big part of the work, and UNC offers plenty of resources—including The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs—to support it. For me, being at UNC truly felt like being in the right place at the right time. When I joined my lab, my goal was to grow into an independent scientist, i.e. someone who can secure funding, lead a research team, and drive meaningful projects. Dr. Rizvi, my postdoctoral mentor, Dr. Sasha Kabanov, my K99/R00 co-mentor, and countless colleagues, collaborators, and friends went above and beyond to support every step of that journey. I was also continually impressed by how vast and accessible UNC’s technical resources are. Many of my most impactful experiments would not have been possible without the outstanding core facilities and the knowledgeable, generous staff who run them.
Can you recommend any interesting things for postdocs to experience while living in the Triangle area?
One of the best things about the Chapel Hill area is how many activities are accessible for free or for a very small fee. If you’re an art lover, don’t miss the rotating exhibits at the Ackland Art Museum. The UNC Arboretum is beautiful year-round—and I hope Tar Heels don’t hold it against me when I say that Duke Gardens are, too. My ideal day starts with a pastry from Guglhupf, the German bakery, followed by a coffee at Café Driade and a long walk along the Bolin Creek or Battle Trail, with a stop at the Chapel Hill Farmers’ Market on the way back. And when you have a special occasion to celebrate, treat yourself to dinner at The Blue Bird, Carolina Inn, or Tandem. They’re absolutely worth the splurge.
Can you share a book, movie, or podcast that has had a meaningful impact on you?
Lately, I’ve been gravitating toward entrepreneurial content, because so many skills needed to run a successful lab—vision, fundraising, hiring, and building culture—mirror those of a startup founder. I’ve been especially enjoying The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett, and Alex & Leila Hormozi’s no-nonsense approach to growth and leadership has been surprisingly applicable to academic life. For something lighter, I keep dipping into Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon—it’s wonderful for sparking creativity in just about any corner of life. And I can’t skip the latest Taylor Swift album; it was a big hit for me, and you can often catch me humming “the fate of Ophelia” under my breath while running experiments!
Where do you hope to see yourself in the next 5 years?
In the next five years, I see myself leading an academic lab filled with curious, passionate researchers from all walks of life. My husband likes to joke that the best teams are made up of “misfits”—people who never fully fit the molds imposed on them. And honestly, I think he’s right. In one way or another, we’re all misfits, and that diversity of experience is what makes science and communities stronger. For me, success has always meant doing meaningful science alongside people who show up as their full, authentic selves. That’s the kind of environment I hope to build. And on a more personal note, I hope that future includes a White Swiss Shepherd or a Bernese Mountain Dog…and at least one cat (though realistically, probably two).
Photo credit: Adam Koebel