National Postdoc Appreciation Week

Recognizing the 16th Annual National Postdoc Appreciation Week

In honor of the 16th Annual National Postdoc Appreciation Week (NPAW), the AACR has several opportunities and resources available to recognize the achievements and contributions of early-career postdoctoral and clinical fellows in the field of cancer research. See below for more details or email questions to [email protected]. 

AACR membership

Join the AACR! With over 58,000 members in 141 countries around the world, the AACR is a dynamic and vibrant organization that offers its members programs and activities that promote the exchange of timely scientific information, and excellent opportunities to participate more fully in the global conquest of cancer by fostering important relationships and collaborations with cancer scientists internationally. The AACR supports the professional development of those early in their careers and offers Associate membership to postdoctoral and clinical fellows, as well as graduate students, medical students, and residents, who are enrolled in educational or training programs that could lead to careers in cancer research.

AACR Associate membership is free, no annual dues required. Discover the many benefits of Associate membership. Join our mission and become a member today!

The AACR has ten Association Groups, Constituency Groups and Scientific Working Groups, available to members to join at no charge to support networking and involvement.

The Associate Member Council (AMC) is the representative body for Associate members.  Each year, three Associate Members are selected to serve three-year terms on the Associate Member Council (AMC). Apply for the Associate Member Council!

RESOURCES FOR POSTDOCS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD

• Early-career scientists can apply to give a presentation in a Major Symposium or Recent Advances Session, as a dedicated NextGen Star at the AACR Annual Meeting 2026! Speaking slots are limited and are only available to AACR Associate members and to early-career AACR Active members who are no higher than the level of assistant professor or equivalent. The NextGen Stars program provides an exciting opportunity to increase the visibility of early-career scientists at the AACR Annual Meeting and to support their professional development. Deadline to apply is 5:00 p.m., ET, Tuesday, September 30, 2025. Don’t miss the chance and apply now!
• Since its inception in 1986, the AACR Annual Meeting Scholar-in-Training Award program has provided more than 5,000 grants to early-career investigators and has received support from 67 cancer research foundations, corporations, individuals, and other organizations dedicated to the fight against cancer. The AACR offers Scholar-in-Training Awards to enhance the education and training of early-career scientists by providing financial support for their attendance at AACR conferences and meetings. These awards are provided to offset a portion of the registration, travel, and subsistence expenses incurred in attending these programs. The number of awards available, award amounts, and application requirements vary by conference. Visit the meetings and workshops calendar for a list of upcoming programs and details on financial support available.
• The AACR is committed to the development of the next generation of cancer researchers therefore, exclusive opportunities to apply for AACR Postdoctoral and Clinical Research Fellowships are available. Learn more about these opportunities by visiting the AACR’s research funding page.

HIGHLIGHTING CLINICAL AND POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS

Leave your personal message of celebration/appreciation for a postdoc you know via Twitter using #AACRECR and #NPAW2025 and we will select a few messages to feature below, throughout the week!

The AACR is a proud sustaining member of the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA), which sponsors the annual National Postdoc Appreciation Week (NPAW). The AACR and NPAW are pleased to celebrate the contributions of clinical and postdoctoral scholars to cancer research and discovery.

Testimonials from aacr postdoctoral members

“As a postdoctoral fellow, my research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms involving plectin in pancreatic cancer and investigating how a novel therapeutic targeting plectin may improve patient outcomes. This project has allowed me to explore research within the full context of patient relevance, bridging basic science and clinical application. It has also equipped me with the skills and perspective necessary to propel my career forward in academic science.”
Cody L. Wolf, PhD

“I am a National Cancer Institute K00 Postdoctoral Fellow at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In this capacity, I contribute to the cancer research continuum by championing training, education, and translational research initiatives to develop improved therapeutic strategies and inspire the next generation of cancer researchers. I would not be where I am without my peer-to-peer and professional mentors, and I strive to “pay it forward” to support aspiring cancer researchers. In the lab, I study cancer cell death signaling using a functional technique called BH3 profiling to identify actionable therapeutic vulnerabilities in acute myeloid leukemia using experimental and FDA-approved anti-cancer agents. Outside the lab, I am honored to work alongside members of the Associate Member Council to promote important professional development initiatives for all AACR Associate Members.”
Johnson Ung, PhD

“As a dual postdoctoral fellow, my NCATS translational research involves developing and optimizing a bioassay for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) to serve as a predictive model of drug efficacy in a repurposing drug screen. My FDA research includes training in biotechnology product quality review principles, including using the bioassay as a training tool for mastering principles of assay validation. I also attend FDA Regulatory Review meetings for protein products, gaining exposure to review processes from pre-IND submissions through licensure and post-approval changes. The overall goal of this project is to develop a robust, sensitive, and specific cell-based bioassay capable of detecting inhibition of NF-kB/c-Rel activity in a cellular model of HNSCC that will yield compounds that can be repurposed into HNSCC treatments. I can say with absolute certainty that I would not be at the level I am in my career without my mentor team. Professional mentorship and peer-to-peer mentoring have played an integral role in my academic career, and I continue to rely on their expertise and guidance.”
Kristin A. Altwegg, PhD

“My current postdoc research at Weill Cornell Medicine aims to understand the role of the tumor microenvironment in prostate cancer, with particular emphasis on the role of a crucial receptor, the androgen receptor, in the tumor-associated stroma. At the same time, I am implementing digital pathology frameworks to bridge our discoveries in the wet lab to the clinical images used to diagnose tumors in patients. This project lets me dive into research that actually matters to real people, connecting the lab work with what happens in practice.”
Filippo Pederzoli, MD, PhD

“I am a postdoctoral fellow at the City of Hope’s NCI-T32 Cancer Metabolism Training Program. My current research focuses on exploring and targeting malignant pathways leading to prostate cancer and understanding the importance of racial and ethnic differences in clinical outcomes. Specifically, my research focuses on targeting the insulin growth factor axis modulators in the context of prostate cancer health disparities. My research, community outreach efforts, and translational research approach allow me to integrate scientific knowledge to educate the general public on the importance of prostate cancer screening and to leverage cutting-edge technologies to innovate in my research. I serve at different national organizations, such as the Associate Member Council of AACR, and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.”
Greisha L. Ortiz Hernández, PhD

“Pursuing postdoctoral training at the MD Anderson on how the bone microenvironment shapes the metabolic profile of prostate cancer metastases is an incredible journey. As a researcher, I contribute to modeling and targeting the mechanisms of tumor adaptation to the metastatic niche, with a focus on blocking ketone bodies metabolism as a novel avenue to halt disease progression. Working at the interface between basic discoveries and translational research, engaging in career-development initiatives, and connecting with a vibrant network of talented postdocs to support each other gives me the stamina to work tirelessly for a better future for cancer patients.”
Pablo A. Sanchis, PhD

“As a postdoctoral fellow, I study how tumor-intrinsic factors and the tumor microenvironment shape the progression of pancreatic cancer—a highly aggressive malignancy with poor survival outcomes. My research focuses on understanding how pancreatic tumors adapt to autophagy inhibition, targeting a metabolic scavenging pathway that is basally upregulated in this disease. Using in vivo lineage tracing, single-cell transcriptomics, and spatial analysis, I investigate how tumor cells evolve and adapt within complex microenvironments. By identifying mechanisms of therapeutic resistance, my work aims to inform the development of more precise and effective treatments for pancreatic cancer patients.”
Joel Encarnación-Rosado, PhD

“I am an NIH T32 Molecular and Epidemiology of Cancer (MAGEC) Postdoctoral Fellow at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. My research is clinical and translational in nature, with a focus on characterizing genomic mechanisms that drive tumorigenesis and treatment response in patients with hereditary breast cancer. Through this work, I aim to identify new strategies to improve patient outcomes. Beyond the lab, I am actively engaged in science policy and cancer advocacy efforts. I am extremely grateful to serve as Chair of the Associate Member Council of the AACR. I hope to make meaningful contributions through my research, mentoring, and by connecting with the scientific community on social media.”
Heather K. Beasley, PhD

“I am a resident physician at Baylor College of Medicine and a clinical post-doctoral fellow at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. My research focuses on mechanisms of resistance to topoisomerase-targeted therapies, with an emphasis on genomic alterations that inform drug development and patient selection in early-phase clinical trials. As a trainee at the interface of clinical care and translational research, I recognize the unique challenges faced by early-career post-doctoral fellows, particularly physician-scientists. Working alongside fellow AMC members, I am hoping to support early-career cancer researchers through mentorship, peer collaboration, and efforts to expand access to training and career development opportunities.”
Tejaswini P. Reddy, MD, PhD