INSPIRE
Our postdoctoral fellowship in biomedical research trains the next generation of scientific educators and promotes diversity in science.
Interested in Becoming an INSPIRE Fellow?
We are now recruiting fellows to join us for the 2024-2025 academic year.
We also invite you to follow us on X at Rutgers_IRACDA.
About the Program
The INSPIRE (IRACDA New Jersey/New York for Science Partnerships in Research and Education) Postdoctoral Research and Education Program at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School provides up to three years of mentored research experience in biomedical fields at the medical school or Rutgers University. The postdoctoral fellowship program also provides training in educational methods, including mentored teaching at a nearby minority-serving institution, and career development. INSPIRE is sponsored by NIH-IRACDA (Institutional Research and Career Development Award).
Two Important Program Goals
- Prepare diverse university-trained PhD scholars for successful careers as scientist-educators
- Increase the participation of diverse undergrad populations in biomedical science research fields
The program has also increased interaction of medical school faculty with students and faculty from our partner universities and colleges in New York and New Jersey. It has enhanced the professional development of other trainees at Rutgers who participate in INSPIRE activities (e.g. workshops on scientific writing, courses on scientific teaching).
Our rigorous training in basic research typically generates an independent research program which INSPIRE Fellows can use to launch their own labs and high-impact publications.
70% of INSPIRE Fellows obtain tenure-track academic jobs.
INSPIRE Training
- 70% time for high-powered research, achieving high-impact publications
- 30% time for career skills, including mentored teaching at a partner minority-serving institution
Partnering on the INSPIRE program are three nearby minority-serving institutions:
Alumni Testimonials
Watch short video testimonies from some of our successful alumni.
Contact Us
Leadership Team
INSPIRE Co-Director Martha Soto is PI of the INSPIRE grant and professor of the Department of Pathology. She was director of the Postdoctoral Career Development Program from 2010 to 2017, when in 2017 she helped Rutgers launch the campus-wide Office of Postdoctoral Advancement. She is also the founder and faculty advisor for the BIO Links (Biosciences Links to Teaching) K-12 Outreach Program. In Bio Links, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows at RWJMS and Rutgers partner with local middle school and high school science teachers, serving diverse student populations.
INSPIRE Co-Director Gary A. Brewer is co-PI of INSPIRE and professor of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. He is a mentor and writing coach for the National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN).
Patricia Irizarry-Barreto is program support coordinator of INSPIRE and research lab Manager in the Department of Pathology. She has a background in molecular biology in mRNA degradation. As an NSF-GK-12 fellow she developed skills in science communication and student development with expertise in Higher Education outreach programs. She has been recognized for Innovation in Teaching and Learning and Team Work in 2016 and 2020.
Partner School Program Coordinators
- Emily Monroe, Assistant Professor at William Paterson University
- Cindy Arrigo, Associate Professor at New Jersey City University
- Edward J. Catapane, Professor at Medgar Evers College-CUNY
Faculty and program coordinators from these schools play an integral role in the educational training and professional development of our INSPIRE Fellows.
Location
The INSPIRE program is located in the Research Tower on Piscataway Campus. Most of our events happen here. However, our fellows conduct their daily research in various labs across the Rutgers campuses in New Brunswick, Piscataway, and Newark.
INSPIRE Postdoctoral Research and Education Program
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Research Tower
675 Hoes Lane West
Piscataway, NJ 08854
Application Details
Why Apply?
- One of the most diverse academic communities in the nation is ready to welcome you
- Competitive funding for up to three years
- Dedicated, strong and supportive community
- Your career development is our priority:
- 75% mentored research at a Rutgers laboratory
- 25% mentored teaching at one of our partner institutions
We encourage applications from people underrepresented in science, including Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, gender and sexual minorities, and scientists with disabilities.
Especially if you are preparing for a U.S. academic faculty position, if you are passionate about research, committed to diversity and inclusion, and care about teaching, come join us!
Application Process
Phase 1 of the application involves writing the equivalent of a one-page grant proposal. Please identify your (potential) research mentor on the proposal, and work with them to develop a strong research proposal. If you need our advice finding the right research lab for your interests, please reach out to us.
Once you have submitted your application, you will receive a link via email to continue on to phase 2.
Start Phase 1 of the Application Process
Eligibility and Pertinent Information
- Basic research in biomedical fields, broadly defined. Our fellows are typically in biochemistry, biophysics, cancer biology, cell/developmental biology, computational/quantitative biology or bioinformatics, genetics/genomics, immunobiology, microbiology, molecular biology, neuroscience
- U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident only (per NIH requirements)
- Postdoctoral fellows with 0-1 years of postdoctoral training will receive preference
Important Dates and Deadlines
- Review of applications begins June 1
- Full-day interviews begin in mid June
- Fellowships begin in September
- For a September start date the deadline is May 26, but due to rolling admissions, applications are still welcome over the summer and fall
- Late admissions may be accommodated by the program
- Please identify your (potential) research mentor on the one page proposal, and work together to develop a strong research proposal
INSPIRE supports equal opportunity in employment for all qualified persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, social class, national origin, or disability unrelated to job requirements. As one of the nation’s most diverse universities, Rutgers has many great resources for diversity.
Questions?
Program Support Coordinator Patty Irizarry can address any other questions you have about your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
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INSPIRE Fellows are mentored by faculty who have strong records of funding, mentoring, and publishing.
Our Fellows receive mentoring and support for their teaching at our partner minority-serving institutions in New Jersey and New York. INSPIRE fellows are diverse themselves.
INSPIRE has had outstanding success placing Fellows in tenure-track faculty positions (70%).
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Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and ideally with no more that 0-3 years of prior postdoctoral experience. See full eligibility details above.
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We like to see evidence that you care about teaching. We do not expect extensive teaching experience since the program will provide this.
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No, we are open to all applicants, including members of underrepresented groups. We particularly look for individuals who have shown an interest in improving science education for all. We very much welcome Fellows from all groups underrepresented in STEM, including disabled students.
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This is first and foremost a research program, so it matters which lab you plan to join. Especially since our application involves writing the equivalent of a short (one page) grant. If you need our advice finding the right research lab for your interests, please reach out to us.
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Fellows can work with research mentors at Rutgers who do biomedical research. If you are not sure, please check with us and we are happy to point you in the right direction.
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All applicants give a five-minute presentation with two slides that introduce and show the main findings of their thesis. This is directly followed by a five-minute talk with one slide to introduce the proposed postdoc project. Applicants present to the INSPIRE Leadership, Admissions Committee, and selected current Fellows.
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Yes, all postdocs with 0-3 years of experience and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible for the program.
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We meet at least once a month with the larger Fellows group and support additional smaller groups such as writing groups.
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We pay based on the NIH Postdoctoral pay scale.
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We pay the healthcare costs for the Fellow, and we give each Fellow travel and supply funds.
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Year 1: Participation in a comprehensive Scientific Teaching Workshop in the spring.
Year 2: Suggested minimum of 8 hours of independent in-class teaching with supervision and feedback by the Teaching Mentor.
Year 3: Suggested 16 hours of independent in-class teaching with supervision and feedback by the Teaching Mentor.
Faculty Mentors
Applicants are encouraged to contact faculty members leading a Robert Wood Johnson Medical School or Rutgers biomedical research lab, depending on their research interest. You can search for a mentor in the list below, but you are not limited to these.
Our fellows' research mentors are faculty members from across the Rutgers campuses in New Brunswick, Piscataway, and Newark. All Rutgers labs are eligible as long as the research will be conducted in the biomedical fields (broadly defined).
We welcome inquiries from Rutgers and Rutgers Health faculty who are interested in joining the INSPIRE program. If you are committed to mentoring postdoctoral fellows who want to obtain academic jobs, and you have an active research lab that could incorporate a talented postdoc who can be funded by INSPIRE for up to three years, we would love to hear from you. You can start by recruiting a top candidate in your field from around the country to your lab when you attend conferences for example. Once you have a candidate, you can ask them to apply for INSPIRE funding.
Find a Mentor
Explore tips from Professor Andrew Vershon, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, about finding and working with a research mentor.
Accordion Content
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Name
Area of Expertise
Research Interest
Tracy Anthony
Nutritional Science
Amino Acid Control of Protein Synthesis and Gene Expression
Gary Aston-Jones
Brain Health Institute Psychiatry
Brain Mechanisms of Motivation and Cognitive Processes Cognition and Addiction
Gary Brewer
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Regulation of Gene Expression; Genomics
Paul Copeland
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Regulation of Gene Expression at the Translational Level, Incorporation and Utilization of Selenocysteine
Emanuel DiCicco-Bloom
Neuroscience and Cell Biology Pediatrics
Regulation of Developmental and Adult Neurogenesis, Cell Cycle Mechanisms
Cheryl Dreyfus
Neuroscience and Cell Biology
The Role of the Trophic Factors and Glial Cells
Monica Driscoll
Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
Developmental Neurogenetics, Molecular Genetics of Neuronal Cell Death, Mechanosensory Transduction in Touch and Feeling, Molecular Mechanisms of Aging
Siobain Duffy
Ecology, Evolution & Natural Resources
Emerging Viruses, Experimental Evolution, Bioinformatics, Bacteriophage
Huizhou Fan
Pharmacology
Pathogenesis and Intervention of Sexually Transmitted Infections
Ramsey Foty
Surgery
The Biophysical and Biomolecular Basis of Prostate Cancer Progression to Metastasis
Kenneth Irvine
Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
Cell-Signaling, Pattern Formation, Growth Control, Developmental Glycobiology
Estela Jacinto
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Signal Transduction, Cancer, Insulin, Metabolism, T Lymphocytes
Mike Kiledjian
Cell Biology and Neuroscience
RNA-Protein Interactions in the Regulation of Mammalian Mrna Turnover. RNA-Binding Proteins in Human Genetics Disorders
Kim McKim
Genetics
Double Strand Break Repair, Genetic Recombination, Chromosome Pairing, Chromosome Segregation, Kinesin Motor Proteins
James Millonig
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Neuroscience & Cell Biology
DHuman Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Autism
Vikas Nanda
Biochemistry
Protein Evolution and Folding, Computational De Novo Design of Proteins and Biomimetics
Loredana Quadro
Food Science
Nutritional Biochemistry
Loren Runnels
Pharmacology
Developmental Biology, Magnesium and Calcium Homeostasis and Signaling, Brain Injury
Karen Schindler
Genetics
Signal Transduction, Meiosis, Aneuploidy, Gamete Formation and Reproduction
Kathleen Scotto
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Pharmacology
(Cancer Institute of New Jersey)
Research Targeting the Regulation of Expression of Drug Resistance Genes in Human Tumors
Steven Silverstein
Psychiatry
Schizophrenia – Retinal and Visual Processing Impairments
Andrew Singson
Genetics
Reproductive Biology and Cell-Cell Interactions in C. Elegans
Martha Soto
Pathology
Using C. Elegans Embryos to Investigate Polarized Cell Divisions and Polarized Cell Migrations During Development
Ann Stock
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Structure/Function Analysis of Signal Transduction Proteins
Huaye Zhang
Neuroscience and Cell Biology
Regulation of Dendritic Spine Morphogenesis and Synaptic Plasticity
Current Fellows
Edward Chuang
Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
Email: edward.chuang@rutgers.edu
Research Topic: Trafficking of misfolded and aggregated proteins
Alexander Cope
Department of Genetics
Email: alexander.cope@rutgers.edu
Research Topic: Bioinformatics, evolution and mechanisms of mRNA translation and secreted proteins
Kevin Dillon
Environmental Sciences
Email: kpd58@dls.rutgers.edu
Darlingtina Esiaka
Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience
Email: darlingtina.esiaka@rutgers.edu
Research Topic: Cognitive decline and conversion to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in urban African Americans
Jennifer E. Fragale
Brain Health Institute
Email: catuzzje@rutgers.edu
Research Topic: Role of orexin/hypocretin system in opiod addiction
Katherine Jacobs
Department of Pathology
Email: kj490@rwjms.rutgers.edu
Melanie Johnston
Department of Pharmacology
Email: mlj114@njms.rutgers.edu
Kelly Kyker-Snowman
Biomedical Engineering
Email: kelly.kykersnowman@rutgers.edu
Research Topic: Functionalized hydrogels and compression biomechanics
Katherine Maniates
Waksman Institute of Microbiology
Email: maniates@waksman.rutgers.edu
Research Topic: Identification of genes and molecular mechanisms for fertilization in C. elegans
Vik Meadows
Department of Pathology
Email: vik.meadows@rutgers.edu
Travis A. Meyer
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Email: travis.meyer@rutgers.edu
Research Topic: Multivalent single-polymer nanoparticles for biomedical applications
Karen Olson
Department of Biological Sciences
Email: olsonvkaren@gmail.com
Research Topic: Population genetics, bat and cave microbiomes
Benton Purnell
Department of Neurosurgery
Email: benton-purnell@uiowa.edu
Research Topic: Role of adenosine in sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP)
Timothy J. Stanek
Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey
Email: timothy.stanek@rutgers.edu
Research Topic: Role of R-loops in regulating chromatin architecture
Scott Travers
Department of Biological Sciences
Email: scott.travers@rutgers.edu
Research Topic: Evolutionary genetics of snake
Gwyndolin Vail
Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience
Email: gvail@gsbs.rutgers.edu
Research Topic: Sex differences in central sensing and regulation of glucose during exercise
INSPIRE Alumni
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Maria Agapito (2013-2015)
Tenure-track Assistant Professor of Biology
Bard College, NJJorge Avila (2020-2022)
Assistant Director, Undergraduate Research Center-Science
University of California Los Angeles, CADenver Baptiste (2019-2020)
Tenure-track Assistant Professor
St. Peter's University, NJSofya Borinskaya (2015-2019)
Assistant Professor
Saint Elizabeth University, NJGerialisa V. G. Case (2019-2020)
In transitionVicky DiBona (2017-2021)
Tenure-track Assistant Professor
Saint Anselm College, NHKeith Feigenson (2011-2014)
Tenure-track Assistant Professor, Dept. of Psychology
Albright College, PAJessica Fellmeth (2018-2021)
Tenure-track Assistant Professor
Millersville University, PABenjamin Griffel (2011-2014)
Tenure-track Professor of Biology and Mathematics
Bard High School Early CollegeEric Ho (2010-2013)
Tenured Associate Professor, Dept. of Biology with affiliation in Computer Science Department
Lafayette College, PAAmber Krauchunas (2013-2016)
Tenure-track Professor
University of DelawareJason Lunden (2013-2016)
Investigator
Hussman Institute for AutismMatthew Marcello (2010-2013)
Tenured Associate Professor, Dept. of Biology and Health Sciences
Pace University, NYKenneth McGuiness (2019-2021)
Assistant Professor
Caldwell University, NJHarita Menon (2014-2017)
Adjunct faculty
Georgian Court University, NJDina Navon (2020-2022)
Assistant Professor, Biology Department
University of the Fraser Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMichael Nestor (2012-2014)
Investigator
Hussman Institute for Autism
Adjunct Faculty
University of Maryland, MDKenny Nguyen (2012-2015)
Head of Computational Science & Engineering
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), PAInna Nikonorova (Associate Fellow, 2015-2017)
Postdoctoral Fellow
Rutgers University, NJOyenike Olabisi (2010-2012)
Tenured Associate Professor, Dept. of Biological Sciences
University of DelawareAshley Pettit (2014-2017)
Faculty, Dept. of Biological Sciences
Seton Hall University, NJSuzanne Quartuccio (2014-2017)
Tenure-track Assistant Professor
Seton Hall University, NJMatthew Roche (2012-2015)
Assistant Professor of Psychology
New Jersey City University (on leave), NJJessica Saalfield (2018-2020)
Tenure-track Assistant Professor
Penn State University, PAStephen Shannon (2012-2016)
Medical Writer
ETHOS Health CommunicationsPragati Sharma (2017-2019)
HealthAdvance Manager
Rutgers Office of Research and Economic Development, NJAlthea Stillman (2011-2014)
Associate Director of Life Sciences
IP Group plcDavid Swope (2012-2015)
Tenure-track Assistant Professor, Cooper Medical School
Rowan University, NJKrishna Tobon (2012-2014)
Adjunct Faculty
Fairleigh Dickinson University, NJAndre Wallace (2011-2014)
Tenure-track Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences
Fairleigh Dickinson University, NJJonathon Walsh (2018-2021)
Genome engineer
Colossal Biosciences, TX
Resources for Diversity Initiatives
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Rutgers Division of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement
Tyler Clementi Center for Diversity Education and Bias Prevention
CITE: Cultivating Inclusion and Transformational Excellence
Starting Point: Self-paced Linkedin Learning Resources
Becoming Antiracist Reading List
Universal Design for Teaching Benefits All Learners
BIO Links: The Molecular Biosciences Links to Teaching K-12 Outreach Program: Launched in the spring of 2007, the BIO Links program provides Rutgers University and Robert Wood Johnson Molecular Biosciences graduate students and postdocs the opportunity to volunteer their time in local public schools with mostly underrepresented students. Dr. Martha Soto, INSPIRE’s Co-PI and Co-Director, is the founder and Faculty Advisor of BIO Links K-12 Outreach Program.
Rutgers GR²aD Inititative: Seeks to grow the pipeline, from undergraduate to graduate to postdoctoral to faculty of underrepresented people in STEM
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ASCB (American Society for Cell Biology): Annual Conference by the MAC (Minority Affairs Committee)
SACNAS (Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science)
MACUB Conference (Metropolitan Association of College & University Biologists): A regional conference for undergraduate researchers, many who are underrepresented.
Keystone Symposia in Biomedical and Life Sciences
The National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity: An independent professional development, training, and mentoring community of over 83,000 graduate students, post-docs, and faculty members.
Resources for Postdocs
Postdoc Resources
Find support for postdoctoral fellows including writing assistance, career development, and more.
News and Events
Upcoming Events
News
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- INSPIRE hosted a Scientific Teaching Seminar, "Designer Jackets and Synthetic Threads for Probing the Immune Response" on May 10, 2024, featuring a keynote lecture by Catherine Grimes, PhD, a Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Delaware.
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- INSPIRE hosted our annual 2023 Scientific Teaching Seminar on April 25, with guest speaker Dr. Erich Jarvis.
- Dr. Patty Irizarry joined INSPIRE in February. Dr. Irizarry is a Molecular Biologist and Outreach Professional who is currently serving as our new Program Support Coordinator.
- We hosted the 2023 INSPIRE Retreat on Nov. 3, with keynote speaker Dr. Maria Agapito.
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- INSPIRE hosted our 2022 Annual Scientific Teaching Seminar on May 17, with invited speaker Dr. Robin Wright.
- We hosted another visit from our Advisory Board Members on April 11-12. Our program benefited greatly from their visit in 2019, with their expert advice and report.
- INSPIRE funded five undergrads from our partner schools to attend the 2022 RISE at Rutgers summer research program, mentored by INSPIRE fellows in their labs.
Generous funding from the office of Rutgers' previous SVPAA Dr. Barbara Lee, and now EVPAA (Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs) Dr. Prabhas V. Moghe, Rutgers' Chief Academic Advisor, helped to make this great opportunity possible.
We have successfully run this RISE-INSPIRE program for 5 years, since the renewal of INSPIRE grant in 2017. This RISE-INSPIRE Summer Research program also helps support the STEM diversity pipeline at Rutgers. As RISE-INSPIRE Scholars, participants are also eligible for the Summer Undergraduate Pipeline to Excellence at Rutgers Graduate (SUPER Grad) fellowship program if they return to Rutgers for graduate study.
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- INSPIRE hosted our 2021 Annual Fall Seminar Series virtually on Oct. 28.
- INSPIRE co-hosted the NIH-IRACDA 2021 National Conference, virtually, for 3 days on June 28-30. Participants also shared updates on Twitter at @iracda2021.
- Congratulations to two of our fellows who exited the program for academic roles:
- Vicky DiBona
Tenure-track Assistant Professor
Saint Anselm College, NH - Jessica Fellmeth
Tenure-track Assistant Professor
Penn State Schuykill, PA
- Vicky DiBona
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- 2020 Annual Scientific Teaching Seminar, Dec. 9: “Towards More Inclusive Active Learning Classrooms: How groups of students are differentially impacted by active learning," presented by Dr. Sara Brownell, Associate Professor, Arizona State University.
- 2020 INSPIRE Annual Retreat, Oct. 16, including a Morning Workshop from NCFDD, "Building a Publishing Pipeline: Concrete Strategies for Increasing Your Writing Productivity," led by Professor Erin Furtak, University of Colorado Boulder, Member of the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD).
- 2019 INSPIRE Fall Retreat, with INSPIRE Alumni Dr. Matthew R. Marcello, Associate Professor at Pace University, who gave an exciting speech and shared more advice with INSPIRE fellows at our luncheon afterwards.
- 2019 Rutgers Active Learning Symposium, May 22 at the Richard Weeks Hall of Engineering on Busch Campus in Piscataway, NJ.
- 2019 INSPIRE Annual Scientific Teaching Seminar, May 9, with Dr. Marybeth Gasman from University of Pennsylvania, who joined Rutgers in fall 2019.
- 2019 NIH-IRACDA conference at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with presentations by our INSPIRE fellows.
- 2018 INSPIRE Inaugural Fall Retreat, with two featured speakers, Eric Ho and John Kerrigan.
- 2018 NIH-IRACDA conference at the University of Georgia, with presentations by our INSPIRE fellows.
- 2018 INSPIRE Annual Scientific Teaching Seminar, with Dr. Scott Freeman from University of Washington and INSPIRE alumnus Dr. Jason Lunden, who was featured on the journal Nature in 2015: "A researcher who studies autism-like behaviour in mice takes inspiration from his own condition."
"Jason Lunden was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome while doing a PhD in neuroscience. Now a postdoc at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, New Jersey, he conducts research on stress in mice that exhibit autism-like behaviours." -
2017 NIH-IRACDA conference, June 4-6, at the University of Alabama at Birmingham with presentations by three of our INSPIRE fellows.
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2015 INSPIRE Annual Scientific Teaching Seminar with a presentation by Dr. April Hill from University of Richmond.