Funding Research Expeditions

Five FAU postdoctoral fellows recently earned a $1,000 grant each to cover travel expenses related to present their research at national research conferences and build network connections in 2022.

Four out of five finalists were selected by the FAU Postdoctoral Advisory Committee based on video submissions and the one People’s Choice Winner was selected from presentations during the recent Postdoc Retreat networking event at FAU’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute.

Here’s a look at the five winners, evaluated based on the significance of their research question, societal impact, innovation and uniqueness of their projects:

• Lorena Bianchine Areal, Ph.D., Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, studies the neurotransmitters, dopamine and serotonin, and its implication in brain disorders.
• Gloria Brunori, Ph.D., Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, researches G protein-coupled receptors and their role in human physiology and disease.
• Felix Mayer, Ph.D., Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, studies the process of neurotransmitters and clearance of dopamine transporters.
• Sean Williamson, Ph.D., Marine Biology Lab in Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, researches turtle physiology and conservation.
• People’s Choice winner: Lauran Brewster, Ph.D., Fisheries Ecology and Conservation Lab in FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, presented research on the behavioral response of juvenile bull sharks to harmful algal blooms.

“Any postdoctoral fellow's training, in addition to its focus on research, needs to include opportunities for networking, career and leadership development. In addition, with FAU's goal to become a top research university, a robust postdoc community will be essential to achieving this goal,” said Karin Scarpinato, Ph.D., senior associate vice president for research, Division of Research. “Internal events such as this provide a forum for our postdocs to practice their networking and communication skills, learn about career opportunities, and see how they fit within the larger research mission. Last, but certainly not least, we hope to make postdocs feel valued for their important contributions to science and discovery."