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Celebrating Charlotte Postdoctoral Fellows

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With the culmination of Post-Doc Appreciation Week, let us honor the remarkable post-doctoral scholars whose expertise inspires innovation and drives transformative research for a better future.

Categories: News
Tags: College of Health and Human Services Klein College of Science Post-Doc Research

We take a moment to acknowledge Charlotte’s postdoctoral scholars who are making significant contributions to research. Coming from various fields of study and rich experiences in their journeys, these scholars play a vital role in enhancing our vibrant academic community and making a significant impact. 

Yevheniia Bushman, Ph.D. – Klein College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences

What initially attracted you to UNC Charlotte for your postdoctoral research?

I was drawn to UNC Charlotte by the opportunity to join Dr. Andrew Truman’s lab, whose research I had been following since before COVID. When I saw he was recruiting in late 2023, I applied and joined in early 2024, a decision that has been an excellent step in advancing my research career.

How has the university supported your professional and personal growth?

At UNC Charlotte, I’ve felt really supported as a postdoc. The Department of Biological Sciences gives us a chance to see what faculty life is like, create social connections, and share our work at the annual Symposium. Serving as a CARS (Committee for Advanced Research Scholars) representative has also been a great way to connect with colleagues and grow professionally.

Do you have a favorite spot on campus where you like to relax or think?

My favorite spot on campus is the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens, it always brings me joy. The people who care for all the plants are real wizards! I love attending their plant sales and have even discovered and purchased orchids I didn’t know existed.

Is there anything else you would like to share that may help readers learn about UNC Charlotte or being a postdoctoral fellow?

For anyone considering a postdoctoral fellowship, UNC Charlotte is a place where you can grow as a researcher while feeling part of a close-knit, inspiring community.

Tianyang Chen, Ph.D. – College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences, Department of Earth, Environmental, and Geographical Sciences

What initially attracted you to UNC Charlotte for your postdoctoral research?

I like UNC Charlotte because of its strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research, particularly in applied GIScience. Working with Dr. Tang and the Center for Applied GIScience provided an exciting opportunity to expand my expertise while contributing to real-world projects.

Can you share some unique aspects of Charlotte’s research environment that you appreciate?

I really appreciate the collaborative atmosphere at UNC Charlotte. The research environment encourages innovation by combining technical expertise, cutting-edge computing resources, and a strong sense of teamwork across disciplines.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

The best advice I have received is to always focus on doing quality work. If you consistently put in the effort to get things right, opportunities and trust naturally follow.

Do you have a favorite spot on campus where you like to relax or think?

Greenhouse and Botanical Gardens, definitely!

Kennicia Fortson, Ph.D. – College of Health and Human Services, Violence Prevention Center

What initially attracted you to UNC Charlotte for your postdoctoral research?

I first learned about the postdoctoral fellow position at the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center through a shared posting. In the same week, I encountered this opportunity several times across different professional networks, which highlighted how closely it aligned with my interests and connections. I was drawn to the fellowship for the opportunity to expand my skills by engaging in violence prevention research and efforts focused on underserved populations. I have a layered educational background with various research and practice experiences, so the emphasis on multidisciplinary collaboration and different research methodologies was fascinating. As a licensed social worker, I find that engaging with the community is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job. I was particularly excited about the opportunity to do this in a city like Charlotte, where both the need for support and the potential for positive impact are significant.

Can you share some unique aspects of Charlotte’s research environment that you appreciate?

One of the aspects I really appreciate about Charlotte’s research environment is the strong interdisciplinary collaboration among faculty and the genuine relationships between faculty and staff, which make it easy to explore ideas, leverage each other’s strengths, and conduct more impactful research. Charlotte also offers specialized resources, such as the Charlotte Regional Data Trust, which are incredibly valuable for data-driven, community-focused work. I’ve found the mentorship and training culture to be extremely helpful at this stage in my career, from professional development opportunities like the Violence Prevention Centers’ training seminar series to the Graduate and Postdoctoral Writing Center. Finally, the many centers and institutes highlight the university’s ability to support all research areas while also contributing to a broad and dynamic research portfolio.

What’s your favorite way to relax after a long day?

My favorite way to relax and de-stress after a long day is to have a “party” at home—a party of one. I put on a playlist of all the songs I loved growing up and during my early college years, and I sing and dance around the house while cleaning or cooking a nice meal. Taking a walk in the park or watching a funny TV show are my other go-tos.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

I’ve received a lot of great advice over the years, but one of my favorites is that work-life balance essentially doesn’t exist. At first, I was surprised to hear that, but the point is learning to prioritize the things that matter most to you at any given moment and remembering that you’re a human being first. It was explained to me that we’re simultaneously juggling many things in life, but not all of them carry the same weight or importance. Some are like glass balls, representing things that can’t be dropped due to the difficulty of repairing or recovering from them. Others are rubber or plastic balls, which, while important, bounce back if dropped and can be picked up later without major consequences. This advice always comforts me when I am being hard on myself. It reminds me to focus on what matters most while giving myself grace to let other things go, either temporarily or permanently, when I need to.

Quinton Krueger, Ph.D. – Klein College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences

What initially attracted you to UNC Charlotte for your postdoctoral research?

The rapid expansion of our resources for researchers was a key factor for me to continue my training here at UNC Charlotte. The establishment of research centers (e.g., CIPHER, CITRANS) brings together a variety of faculty, staff, and students to work towards a common goal. This, and the environment on and off campus makes UNC Charlotte a great place to work.

Can you share some unique aspects of Charlotte’s research environment that you appreciate?

I love that UNC Charlotte harbors such a broad group of individuals that focus on nearly all aspects of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics). This variety of knowledge helps promote a fruitful academic environment, which advances our research significantly in part due to these different viewpoints. Additionally, the ability to collaborate across departments further increases the potential to perform novel research at our university. These strong roots in research overlap with the education we present to our developing undergraduate and graduate students both in the laboratory and in the classroom.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

That discipline is greater than motivation. Creating good habits for yourself (including a healthy work/life balance) will help maintain progress, even when you are not motivated.

Do you have a favorite spot on campus where you like to relax or think?

After long days in the lab or the office it is nice to find a place outside. I don’t have a preference since we have such a beautiful campus, as long as it isn’t too hot!