Postdoc Research Blitz Launches Collaborations

An ASU researcher developing near-real-time earth satellite photography.  Another researcher focusing on therapeutic applications of virus-derived anti-inflammatory proteins and peptides. A third focusing on isotopic landscapes, and two more focusing bio-engineered body parts. 

What do they have in common?

 They are Arizona-based postdocs looking for collaborators. 

To help them and others, the Postdoctoral Affairs Office launched the inaugural Postdoc Research Blitz on June 20, 2018. Five postdocs were each given 5 minutes to present an overview of their research and were asked to close their talk with a statement of need:  a wish list for the kind of person or team they are looking for to help them in their own research.     

 Presenting at the Blitz were:

• Dr. Megan Behringer, from the Biodesign Center for Mechanisms of Evolution, who presented her development of an artificial bladder for the evolutionary study of urinary tract infection.  She is looking for collaborators to help create a microaerophilic environment, and she needs technical help with automation of her raspberry pi controlled mechanical bladder.
• Dr. Tanya Harrison, from the NewSpace Initiative, who presented on the emerging role of the commercial sector in earth remote sensing science.  Dr. Harrison is looking for collaborators who can propose innovative uses for the Planet.com earth photography technology, a near-real-time satellite photography technology she has developed.
• Dr. Beth Scaffidi, from the School of Human Evolution and Social Change, who presented on isotopic landscapes: understanding the impact of drought/flood cycles on subsistence, migrations, disease, and culture change.  Scaffidi seeks partners who can help with mathematical modeling, cloud-based geospacial database development, as well as ecologists and health researchers who have interest in isotopic variability. 
• Dr. Michael McPhail, from the Mayo Clinic Head and Neck Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, who presented on his work in on a bioengineered larynx.  He is looking for expertise in 3D printing, “bio-inks” and materials science, and tissue engineering.  
• Dr. Jordon Yaron, from the Center for Personalized Diagnostics at the Biodesign Institute, who presented his research on therapeutic applications of virus-derived anti-inflammatory proteins and peptides.  He is looking for collaborators to test new biomedical applications, develop new platforms, and identify other therapeutic protein sources.    

 Dr. Harrison enjoyed the other presentations as much as she enjoyed presenting. 

“Even when there’s not an opportunity to collaborate, it’s still so cool to hear what other people are doing,” Harrison said.  “Hearing about someone who uses viruses to fight diseases… I want to learn more about that.” 

Dr. Michael McPhail, a postdoc at Mayo Clinic, agreed. 

“We are always looking for ways to collaborate with our ASU colleagues,” explained McPhail.  “ASU has many disciplines that can add value to the research at Mayo Clinic. This is a great opportunity.”

If you are interested in collaborating on any of these projects, please contact Postdoc Affairs Office Program Manager Wiley Larsen. 

 And stay tuned for more information on the next Research Blitz, scheduled for September.