During National Postdoctoral Appreciation Week, we take a moment to highlight the inspiring journeys and insights of several of Charlotte’s talented postdoctoral scholars. From diverse research fields to meaningful personal experiences, these scholars contribute significantly to the vibrant academic community.
Meet Shannon Cain
Department of Epidemiology and Community Health
Postdoctoral Fellow in Suicide Prevention Research
- Undergraduate Institution & Degree: B.A. from Hope College
- Graduate Institutions: Indiana University-Purdue University- Indianapolis (for master’s); The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (for doctorate)
- Graduate Degrees: MSW, Ph.D.
- Favorite Place in Charlotte: My favorite places in Charlotte are some of the local coffee shops like Forest Trail House and Rocky River Coffee Co.
- Hometown: Brighton, MI
- Dream Job: Tenure-Track Professor
- Connect on LinkedIn
What initially attracted you to UNC Charlotte for your postdoctoral research?
I was initially attracted to UNC Charlotte for my postdoctoral research because of the opportunity to work with Dr. Rob Cramer and be able to support and learn what goes into a randomized clinical trial. I was also excited for the opportunity to contribute to the very important cause of suicide prevention for active service members.
Can you share some unique aspects of Charlotte’s research environment that you appreciate?
I think Charlotte’s research environment is very supportive of postdocs. I have greatly appreciated the support I have received from staff with The Reynolds Center for Graduate Life & Learning, Atkins Library and Niner Research as well as the collaborative research opportunities I have been invited to join with Violence Prevention Center faculty. In particular, I have also appreciated having two formal/official mentors as not all postdoctoral positions have this.
Can you describe any memorable experiences or achievements you’ve had at UNC Charlotte?
With the support of Dr. Rob Cramer and Dr. Sam Cacace, I applied for an NVDRS New Investigator Award with CDC/APHA. I recently found out that my proposal was approved! The project seeks to test the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide with suicide deaths in the NVDRS dataset.
What advice would you give to someone considering a postdoctoral fellowship here?
Ask to be connected with a current postdoctoral fellow here at Charlotte!
What’s your favorite way to relax after a long day?
After a long day, I love enjoying some delicious comforting Indian food with my family.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
The best piece of advice I ever received was to find “where your greatest joy meets the world’s greatest need.” (Part of a quote from Frederick Buechner).
Meet Iván Flores Martínez
Political Science and Public Administration
Postdoctoral Researcher
- Undergraduate Institution: Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas
- Undergraduate Degree: B.A. in Political Science and International Relations
- Graduate Institutions: University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- Graduate Degrees: Ph.D. in Public Policy, M.S. in Data Science and Business Analytics
- Favorite Place in Charlotte: The U.S. National Whitewater Center. It's such a unique place that perfectly encapsulates Charlotte's blend of urban amenities and outdoor adventure.
- Hometown: Mexico
- Dream Job: Assistant Professor at a Public University
- Connect on LinkedIn
Can you share some unique aspects of Charlotte’’s research environment that you appreciate?
One of the things I value most about UNC Charlotte's research environment is the incredible support system and feedback culture. There's a real sense of collaboration here, with faculty and fellow researchers always ready to offer insights and constructive criticism. This constant exchange of ideas has been invaluable in refining my work and pushing my research in new, exciting directions.
How has the university supported your professional and personal growth?
UNC Charlotte has been instrumental in fostering both my professional and personal development. They've provided me with a dedicated office space, which has become my haven for deep thinking, writing and collaboration. This space has allowed me to immerse myself fully in my research while also offering a quiet retreat for personal reflection and growth.
What do you think sets this university apart from others in your field?
One of the standout features of UNC Charlotte's research environment is its highly multidisciplinary nature. This approach fosters a rich, collaborative atmosphere where ideas from various fields intersect, leading to innovative research outcomes. Additionally, the incredible support system and feedback culture here have been invaluable. There's a real sense of community, with colleagues always ready to offer insights and constructive criticism.
What’s the most interesting or unusual hobby you have?
I have a creative side that I love to explore outside of my academic work. I do pencil sketches, which allows me to engage with the world visually and express ideas in a different medium. It's a great way to unwind and sometimes even helps me visualize complex concepts in my research. Additionally, I'm quite musical - I play both the keyboards and the guitar. This musical hobby not only serves as a great stress-reliever but also keeps my mind sharp and creative. The discipline required in mastering these instruments often translates into my academic work, reminding me of the importance of practice and persistence in achieving goals.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I've received is that character skills are more important than IQ or raw intelligence. This perspective has profoundly shaped my approach to both my research and personal development. It's not just about being smart; it's about perseverance, adaptability and how you interact with others. This advice has helped me navigate the challenges of postdoctoral research and collaboration more effectively.
Meet Amanda Brock Morales
College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences - Anthropology Department
Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow/Multicultural Postdoctoral Fellow
- Undergraduate Institution: Cornell University
- Undergraduate Degree: Anthropology
- Graduate Institutions: University of Florida
- Graduate Degrees: Anthropology
- Hometown: Manassas, Virginia/DMV area
- Dream Job: A job where I can solve issues of Cultural Heritage and Climate Change together
- Connect on LinkedIn
What initially attracted you to UNC Charlotte for your postdoctoral research?
There are a number of reasons that attracted me to UNC Charlotte. When I first connected with my faculty mentor, he was super supportive of my research ideas. The College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences also has many faculty who do work that aligns with my own research interests. Out of all the places that I applied for, UNC Charlotte was my top choice because I could see myself being fully supported and being able to thrive with the resources in both the department and through postdoctoral programming.
What do you think sets this university apart from others in your field?
Although this is only my first year at Charlotte, one of the things that I have noticed is that there seems to be a dedication to increasing accessibility to education for all kinds of students. I learned that about 39% of students belong to an underrepresented group, about 33% of first-generation students, and about half of the student population identify as low-income and I see a place where there is a real effort to provide quality education and support for students. This is especially important to me as a Puerto-Rican woman and someone who was a first-generation student because these are the demographics that I want to mentor and serve through my research and as a Multicultural Postdoctoral Fellow here at Charlotte. I am looking forward to contributing to this community.
What’s your favorite way to relax after a long day?
I love to dance Salsa, Bachata, and am now also learning Brazilian Zouk. After doing research and working at a desk all day, dancing keeps me moving but it also helps me to forget about all the stress from the day. It has also been a really great way to make new friends as I have been starting out my fellowship here.
Do you have a favorite book or movie that inspires your work?
One of my all-time favorite books is called el Libro de los abrazos or The Book of Embraces by Eduardo Galeano. He believed that “each day has a story to – deserves to be told, because we are made of stories. Scientists say that human beings are made of atoms but…we are also made of stories.”
Sometimes, in archaeology, or STEM in general, it becomes easy to get caught up in hypothesis testing, the science, and hard evidence, but in the end, archaeology is also about storytelling; learning about what the past has to say to the present and the present to the past. With archaeological artifacts and remains but also the stories and experiences of present-day communities, I seek to find and incorporate these stories into my research, weaving together multiple narratives about what it means to be human in a changing world.
Alex Suptela
Biological Sciences
Postdoctoral Fellow
- Undergraduate Institution: Gardner-Webb University
- Undergraduate Degree: Double major in biology and psychology with a minor in chemistry
- Graduate Institutions: UNC Charlotte
- Graduate Degrees: M.S. in Biology and Ph.D. in Biology
- Hometown: Gastonia, NC
- Dream Job: Teaching Professor
Can you share some unique aspects of Charlotte’s research environment that you appreciate?
In the biology department, there is a wide variety of types of research from cancer and developmental biology to ecology and evolution, so I got to learn about all the amazing research that is happening outside of my field. I also love that it’s a competitive environment, but in my opinion, it’s competitive in a healthy and fun way.
What do you think sets this university apart from others in your field?
One of the best parts about researching at UNC Charlotte is that you get that small school vibe at a near-R1 university.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I received was to step back and take time for yourself as often as needed. It goes a long way in maintaining mental health.
If you weren’t in your current field, what other career might you have pursued?
I would have gone down the engineering or computer science route had I not pursued biology.
Do you have a favorite spot on campus where you like to relax or think?
My best friend and I used to love renting electric scooters around campus and riding them down the greenway to relax.