PDA Executive Committee Officers
PDAEC Co-Chairs
The PDAEC plans events that promote community among postdocs at MD Anderson and fosters interactions between postdocs of other Houston-area institutions. Postdocs active in the PDAEC drive the PDA agenda, network with faculty and other scientists and develop career-enhancing skills that can inform their resume.
The PDAEC is comprised of three teams: Governance, Community Engagement and Career Advancement. Each team has three or four subcommittees (arranged accordingly below). To join the PDAEC as a regular member please contact the Co-chairs for a meeting invitation. Chairs and subcommittee chairs are elected positions unless extenuating circumstances dictate otherwise.
Rajan Chaudhari, Ph.D.
PDAEC Co-Chair
Dr. Chaudhari is a postdoctoral fellow in laboratory of Dr. Shuxing Zhang in the Department of Experimental Therapeutics. His current research work is to develop novel computational methods to predict polypharmacology profiles of the small molecules. In previous years he has served the postdoc community in various capacities including chair and vice-chair of the Policy and Annual Presidential Career Symposium subcommittees, respectively. This fiscal year he and Dr. Kylee Veazey will continue the work of enhancing the MD Anderson postdoctoral experience by serving as co-chairs of the Executive Committee.
Kylee Veazey, Ph.D.
PDAEC Co-Chair
Dr. Veazey is a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Margarida Almieda Santos in the Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis. Her research focuses on dissecting epigenetic mechansims underlying the onset and maintenance of MLL-fusion Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL). Having been a postdoc at Science Park and successfully served the postdoc community as vice chair of the Annual Postdoctoral Science Symposium, she has a unique perspective that will enable her to engage and serve the local and Science Park postdoc communities.
Governance
Internal Communications
Brian Engel, Ph.D.
Subcommittee - Internal Communications (Chair)
Dr. Engel is a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Steven Millward’s laboratory in the Department of Cancer Systems Imaging. His main research interests include the development of novel PET/CT molecular imaging agents for non-invasive tumor detection and patient stratification. As Chair of Internal Communications and Vice Chair of Policy subcommittees, Brian will maintain committee records, bylaws and administer and oversee elections.
Daisy I. Izaguirre, Ph.D.
Subcommittee - Internal Communications (Vice Chair)
Dr. Izaguirre is a postdoctoral fellow under the mentorship of Drs. Milind Javle and Lawrence Kwong. Her project focuses on identifying therapeutic targets in cholangiocarcinoma. As the Vice-Chair of Internal Communications she assists Brian in maintaining a record of governance team and PDAEC meetings as well as handling and overseeing internal correspondence.
Policy
Javiera Beatriz Bravo-Alegria, Ph.D.
Subcommittee – Policy (Chair)
Dr. Bravo-Alegria is a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Vydia Gopalakrishnan’s laboratory in the department of Pediatrics-Research. Her main research interests include the communication of microglia with neurons, tumor cells, and the peripheral immune system, as well as the modification of the brain microenvironment due to malignancies. As the Chair of the Policy subcommittee, Javiera will maintain bylaws, supervise the elections, monitor policy issues, provide relevant suggestions to OPAD and provide and promote postdoc-related issues as they arrive to the PDAC.
Brian Engel, Ph.D.
Subcommittee – Policy (Vice-Chair)
Dr. Engel is a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Steven Millward’s laboratory in the Department of Cancer Systems Imaging. His main research interests include the development of novel PET/CT molecular imaging agents for non-invasive tumor detection and patient stratification. As Chair of Internal Communications and Vice Chair of Policy subcommittees, Brian will maintain committee records, bylaws and administer and oversee elections.
Responsible Conduct of Research
Subcommittee - Responsible Conduct of Research (Chair)
Dr. Kanchi is a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Naveen Garg in the Department of Diagnostic Radiology. Dr. Kanchi’s research focuses on the use of bioinformatics and machine learning methods in order to understand the diverse data types in cancer genetics. Her current work deals with learning from radiological image data such as MRI, PET and CT. As chair of the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) subcommittee, she will organize monthly RCR lectures and work to spread awareness about performing research responsibly.
Subcommittee - Responsible Conduct of Research (Vice-Chair)
Dr. Hasan is a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Frederick F. Lang in the Department of Neurosurgery. Dr. Hasan’s research focuses on the screening of microRNA library for treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) the most common and very aggressive type of malignant brain tumor among adults. As Vice-chair of the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) subcommittee, he will support RCR Chair to organize monthly RCR lectures and work to spread awareness about performing research responsibly.
Community Engagement
Communications
Simone Punt, Ph.D.
Subcommittee – Communications (Chair)
Dr. Punt is a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Patrick Hwu in the Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology. Dr. Punt’s research focuses on finding novel targets to improve immunotherapy by using shRNA and gRNA high-throughput screens. One of the main interests is on improving immunotherapy by targeting the tumor cell metabolism. As chair of the Communications Committee she aims to create a sense of community by providing an easy and effective way to bidirectionally communicate with the MD Anderson postdoctoral fellows. As vice chair of the Career Development subcommittee she assists the chair to improve the transition of PDAEC members through all stages of their professional career.
Xerxes Pundole, Ph.D.
Subcommittee - Communications (Vice-Chair)
Robert M. Chamberlain Mentor Award
Subcommittee – Mentor Award (Chair)
Dr. Reyes is a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Epidemiology under the mentorship of Dr. Michelle Hildebrandt. Her current research focuses on identifying genetic changes associated with mechanisms of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in long- term childhood cancer survivors. As Chair of the Robert M. Chamberlain Distinguished Mentor Award committee, she will oversee the selection process for finalists and awardee, and help lead the organization of the award ceremony.
Emanuela Gentile, Ph.D.
Subcommittee – Mentor Award (Vice-Chair)
Outreach
Yan Jin, Ph.D.
Subcommittee – Outreach (Chair)
Dr. Jin is a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Biostatistics. He specializes in conducting statistical analysis on large-scale neuroimaging data toward brain cancer diagnosis and prediction. As Chair of Outreach, he organizes all social events such as PDA coffee breaks and integrates PDA members into MD Anderson and the surrounding community.
Karem A. Court, Ph.D.
Subcommittee – Outreach (Vice-Chair)
Dr. Court is a postdoctoral fellow in Department of Gynecology Oncology under the mentorship of Dr. Anil K. Sood. Her PhD research was Magnetic Fluid Hyperthermia for cancer treatment. Her current work centers in exosomes and nanotechnology for ovarian cancer treatment. She just joined PDAEC and as a vice chair of the outreach committee she will help the outreach chair to organize events for this fiscal year.
Maria G. Garcia Mendoza, Ph.D.
Subcommittee - Science Park (Chair)
Dr. Garcia is a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Ellen Richie in the Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis. Her current work is studying the molecular mechanisms required to specify initial thymus fate during fetal development, which are unknown. Understanding these mechanisms will facilitate the development of strategies to generate functional organs in culture, and to rejuvenate the aged, involuted thymus. She has been part of the PDAEC since December of 2016 and is looking forward to becoming an active member and serving the MD Anderson community.
Somnath Paul, Ph.D.
Subcommittee - Science Park (Vice Chair)
Dr. Paul is a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Blaine Bartholomew in the Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis. Having completed his PhD in India, in arsenic-induced epigenetic toxicity, Somnath’s present work focuses on identifying the molecular crosstalk and physical interactions between ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers (SWI/SNF and INO80) with the nucleosomes. Understanding these interactions will help to decipher the chromatin dynamics within the cells. He looks forward to fostering collaborations of the Smithville postdoc community with members of the postdoctoral community in Houston.
Career Advancement
Annual Postdoctoral Career Symposium
Angela Rynne Vidal, Ph.D.
Subcommittee – APCS (Chair)
Dr. Vidal is a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine under the mentorship of Dr. Samuel C. Mok and Dr. Karen H. Lu. Her research focuses on studying the interaction between stromal and cancer cells in the context of uterine papillary serous carcinoma, characterizing the tumor microenvironment at the primary and metastatic sites. As the chair of the Annual Postdoctoral Career Symposium, she aims to make this event an enjoyable and valuable resource of information for scientists from the different Texas Medical Center institutions, allowing them to connect with professionals working in various fields and learn first-hand about possible career paths.
Shivanand Pudakalakatti, Ph.D.
Subcommittee – APCS (Vice Chair)
Dr. Pudakalakatti works as postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Pratip Bhattacharya’s lab in the department of Cancer Systems Imaging. My research interest involves early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer by targeted molecular imaging using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The targeted imaging is based on ligand-receptor interaction involving antibody functionalized hyperpolarized silicon nanoparticles as ligand and mucin-1 (MUC-1) protein as target receptor which over expresses on the surface of pancreatic cancer tumor. As a vice-chair of APCS subcommittee I will help the chair to organize and plan APCS event effectively.
Annual Postdoctoral Science Symposium
Taghreed Hirz, Ph.D.
Subcommittee - APSS (Chair)
Dr. Hirz is a post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology (THNMO), with a laboratory interest in evaluating the impact of co-occurring genetic events on the biology, heterotypic interactions and therapeutic responsiveness of KRAS-mutant lung adenocarcinoma (LUAC). She is the chair of Annual Postdoctoral Science Symposium (APSS) and a member in the Career Advancement Team. The symposium is usually organized by the postdoctoral fellows, consists of selected talks given by postdoctoral fellows and invited faculty from the numerous research facilities at the Texas Medical Center, break-out sessions showcasing advanced technologies and applications in cancer research, as well as opportunities for informal interactive discussions with fellows and faculty throughout the day.
Daisy I. Izaguirre, Ph.D.
Subcommittee - APSS (Vice Chair)
Dr. Izaguirre is a postdoctoral fellow under the mentorship of Drs. Milind Javle and Lawrence Kwong. Her project focuses on identifying therapeutic targets in cholangiocarcinoma. As the Vice-Chair of APSS she will assist Taghreed with the planning and organization of the 2018 symposium.
Career Development
Omkara Veeranki, Ph.D.
Subcommittee – Career Development (Chair)
Dr. Veeranki is a post-doctoral fellow in the department of GI Pathology and Translational Molecular Pathology under the mentorship of Dr. Dipen Maru. She is investigating the role of CDK9 inhibitors as a potential therapeutic target for esophageal and gastric adenocarcinomas in combination with the current standard of care. As the Career Development Chair, she is committed to the career development of the postdoctoral community at MD Anderson. She raises awareness among the postdoc community about the different career pathways and coordinates career development opportunities in the Texas Medical Center and NIH. In the capacity of Career Advancement Leadership position, she seeks to provide resources that guide postdoctoral fellows through all stages of their training towards their professional career goals.
Simone Punt, Ph.D.
Subcommittee – Career Development (Vice Chair)
Dr. Punt is a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Patrick Hwu in the Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology. Dr. Punt’s research focuses on finding novel targets to improve immunotherapy by using shRNA and gRNA high-throughput screens. One of the main interests is on improving immunotherapy by targeting the tumor cell metabolism. As chair of the Communications Committee she aims to create a sense of community by providing an easy and effective way to bidirectionally communicate with the MD Anderson postdoctoral fellows. As vice chair of the Career Development subcommittee she assists the chair to improve the transition of PDAEC members through all stages of their professional career.