The second annual North Carolina Postdoc Research Symposium brought together postdoctoral scholars from across the state, including UNC-Chapel Hill, NC State, NC A&T, UNC-Charlotte, East Carolina University, UNC-Wilmington, Duke University, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This multidisciplinary event took place on June 20th at the North Carolina Biotechnology Center from 09:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

The symposium featured poster presentations, flash talks, career panels, free headshots, networking, and a keynote address. Postdocs were invited to present their work and connect with peers from a range of institutions and disciplines. Prizes were awarded for the top three posters and flash talks.

Registration was required, with a $25 fee that included lunch. A limited number of complimentary professional headshots were made available on a first-come, first-served basis. Postdocs who were interested in presenting a poster or flash talk submitted an abstract through the submission portals below.

Whether participants were early in their postdoc or further along in their training, the symposium offered a chance to share their work, enhance communication skills, expand professional networks, and engage with the broader postdoctoral community in North Carolina. The event was open to postdoctoral scholars, faculty mentors, and others interested in supporting postdoctoral research and professional development. Early registration was encouraged due to space limitations.

Event Photos

Browse photos from the 2025 Postdoc Research Symposium, including keynote sessions, panel discussions, flash talks, poster presentations, and networking moments.

Program and Abstract Book (PDF)

Download the official Program and Abstract Book for the 2025 Postdoc Research Symposium. This PDF includes the full symposium agenda, panelist biographies, keynote speaker details, as well as the abstracts for flash talks and poster presentations.

Event Details

Time

09:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Date

Friday, June 20th, 2025

Location

North Carolina Biotechnology Center, 15 TW Alexander Dr, Durham, NC 27709

Agenda

Registration

All postdoctoral scholars are encouraged to attend. Faculty mentors, administrators, and graduate students who are interested in supporting or learning more about postdoctoral research are also welcome to register and participate in the event.

Poster Presentation

To present a poster at the symposium, please submit your abstract using the portal linked below. Poster slots are limited and presenters will be selected based on the quality and clarity of their abstracts, with an emphasis on accessible and engaging communication. Abstracts and posters should be easily understood by others outside your discipline.

• Submit an abstract (up to 300 words)
• Poster size: Please prepare your poster to fit within the recommended dimensions of 36″ tall × 48″ wide (landscape) or 48″ tall × 36″ wide (portrait)

We encourage submissions from all disciplines. If selected, you will have the opportunity to present your work during one of the two dedicated poster sessions, and be considered for a poster award.

Flash Talk Presentations

Selected postdocs will have the opportunity to discuss the impact of their research on our society and everyday life during a three-minute Flash Talk presentation. Think beyond your specific study to highlight the broader significance of your research/discipline. You should aim to answer the “So What?” question about your research. Please note, you can choose to present either a poster or a flash talk, not both. 

Submission Instructions:

• Submit an abstract (up to 300 words)
• Focus on the societal relevance and real-world value of your field.
• Use clear, engaging, and accessible language suitable for a general audience.
• Avoid jargon and emphasize the “so what?” of your discipline.

• Kavya Katugam-Dechene; University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
  • The effect of optical flow perturbations on walking foot placement control in people with multiple sclerosis 
• Nicolas Reinoso-Vizcaino; Duke University
  • ISG15-Mediated Suppression of Type I Interferon Signaling Leads to Susceptibility to Epstein-Barr Virus Infection 
• Chukwudi Ubah; East Carolina University
  • Salivary miRNA as a diagnostic biomarker for periodontitis-induced neurologic disorders

Poster Session B | Outstanding Poster Presentation Awardees:

• Mallory Thomas; North Carolina State University
  • Insights Into the Binding Affinity of PFAS Towards Human Lactoferrin via Differential Scanning Fluorimetry
• Kaur Amandeep; East Carolina University
  • Trends in dental care use among adolescents and young adults (1994-2018): Impact of school-based dental care education and neighborhood context.
• Cassandra Modrak; University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
  • Chronic intermittent ethanol exposure in mice elicits heightened mRNA expression of GluA1-containing AMPARs and associated trafficking proteins in the amygdala

Flash Talk Award Winners

Best Flash Talk – Audience Choice

Abigail Gancz; North Carolina State University
Targeting Lipid-Microbiome Interactions to Improve Treatments for C. difficile Infection

Best Flash Talk – Judges’ First Choice

Samuel Cripps; Duke University
Electronic Cigarettes: A Pregnancy Risk?

Best Flash Talk – Judges’ Second Choice

Kristen Giesbrecht; University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
What Does an Embryonic Heart Feel?

Questions

If you have any questions about the event, please email UNC’s Office of Postdoctoral Affairs at [email protected].

Sponsors

The organizers are grateful to the following for their support and sponsorship for this event:

Friday June 20th, 2025
North Carolina Biotechnology Center, Durham

Previous Symposia

• 2024 Postdoc Research Symposium