Vanderbilt postdoctoral fellows recognized at 2025 Spring Postdoc Awards Ceremony

The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, in partnership with the Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association, announced the 2025 award winners at the Spring Postdoc Awards Ceremony on May 21. The event highlighted the vital contributions that postdocs make across various disciplines at the university.

In his remarks, C. André Christie-Mizell, vice provost for graduate education, dean of the Graduate School, and director of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, expressed gratitude to the VPA for their collaborative efforts to create a supportive environment for postdocs. Kanchana Devanathan, VPA president, shared insights into the VPA's initiatives, encouraging postdocs to engage in upcoming elections and events.

Kanchana Devanathan, Vanderbilt Postdoc Association president

The award recipients are:

Postdoc of the Year

The Postdoc of the Year award recognizes a postdoctoral scholar who demonstrates excellence in research and scholarship. The nominee must demonstrate excellence in several criteria, including publications, presentations, awards/honors, service and mentoring. The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs solicited nominations from faculty in each school, and the Postdoctoral Fellow Advisory Committee reviewed and voted on all nominations.

Maxime Chevée, Ph.D.

Chevée is a postdoc in the lab of Erin Calipari in the Department of Pharmacology. Since joining Vanderbilt in summer 2020, Chevée has achieved numerous accolades, including the 2024 NARSAD Young Investigator Grant. In addition to his research excellence, he is noted for his dedication to mentorship and leadership, actively supporting fellow scholars and students within the Vanderbilt community. His involvement in the VPA has further strengthened collaboration among peers. Described by colleagues as compassionate and caring, Chevée fosters an atmosphere that empowers others to excel.

C. André Christie-Mizell and Maxime Chevée.

Lorenzo Gavassino, Ph.D.

Gavassino is mentored by Marcelo Disconzi, associate professor of mathematics. Gavassino has quickly emerged as a rising star in relativistic fluid dynamics and kinetic theory. His impressive academic journey includes being awarded the prestigious 2024 MERAC Prize for the Best Doctoral Thesis in Theoretical Astrophysics, alongside extensive media coverage in outlets like Discovermagazine and the American Physical Society's Viewpoint section.

Gavassino combines physical intuition with mathematical rigor to tackle complex challenges and produce groundbreaking research contributions. Beyond his scientific achievements, he is recognized for his strong commitment to mentorship and collaboration, actively supporting fellow researchers and fostering interdisciplinary exchanges within the Vanderbilt community. This fall, Gavassino will continue his postdoctoral work at the University of Cambridge, where he is expected to make significant, multidisciplinary contributions.

C. André Christie-Mizell and Lorenzo Gavassino.

Postdoc Service Award

The Postdoc Service Award goes to a postdoctoral scholar who has demonstrated sustained service to Vanderbilt through service to the community at large-through professional societies, scholarly work outside regular lab responsibilities, or by leading within and promoting the postdoc experience at Vanderbilt. The Vanderbilt Postdoc Association solicits nominations from all postdocs, and the VPA Executive Board reviews and votes.

Lianrui Zuo, Ph.D.

Zuo is a postdoc in the lab of Bennett Landman in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Zuo has shown an unwavering commitment to both his research in medical image analysis and the mentorship of his peers and students since joining the Vanderbilt community in March 2024. His proactive approach to mentoring has included invaluable guidance to undergraduate students, Ph.D. candidates, and M.D./Ph.D. researchers, leading to significant developments such as the first senior-author publication in fall 2024. Zuo also initiated the "MASI Deep Dive" meeting, which fosters collaboration and idea exchange among researchers, enhancing the community's engagement and growth.

His international leadership extends to chairing the ninth International Workshop on Simulation and Synthesis in Medical Imaging at MICCAI 2024 and co-organizing an open challenge for IEEE ISBI 2025. Zuo's commitment to scientific integrity is further demonstrated through his extensive peer review efforts, including launching a special issue of NeuroImageas guest editor.

C. André Christie-Mizell and Lianrui Zuo.

Postdoctoral Mentor of the Year

Recipients of the Postdoctoral Mentor of the Year Award must demonstrate a willingness to share expertise and advice; service to the community at large, including other mentoring activities; and scholarship within the mentor's own career, including publications, awards, presentations and honors. The Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association solicits nominations from all Vanderbilt postdocs, and the VPA Executive Board reviews and votes.

Corinne Carlton-Smith, Ph.D.

Carlton-Smith is a postdoc in the lab of Autumn Kujawa. Since joining the Mood, Emotion and Development Lab in August 2024 as a NIMH T32 postdoctoral fellow, Carlton-Smith has made significant contributions to psychology and mental health research while demonstrating a profound commitment to mentorship. Known for her supportive and approachable nature, she fosters a collaborative environment that encourages the personal and professional growth of her mentees. As her mentor Autumn Kujawa states, "Corinne is a rising star in youth mental health research," reflecting her influential role in shaping the next generation of researchers dedicated to addressing mental health disparities.

C. André Christie-Mizell and Corinne Carlton-Smith.

Faculty Mentor of the Year

Recipients of the Faculty Mentor of the Year Award must demonstrate a willingness to share expertise and advice; service to the community at large, including other mentoring activities; and scholarship within the mentor's own career, including publications, awards, presentations and honors. The Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association solicits nominations from all Vanderbilt postdocs, and the VPA Executive Board reviews and votes.

Bennett Landman, Ph.D.

Landman is Stevenson Chair of Engineering, University Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the School of Engineering, and University Distinguished Professor of Radiology and Radiological Sciences in the School of Medicine. Landman goes above and beyond traditional mentorship, providing exceptional support while encouraging intellectual exploration and curiosity.

His dedication to nurturing each trainee's individual strengths has empowered mentees to achieve significant milestones, including successful grant submissions and professional development opportunities. Landman's open-door policy fosters a collaborative lab environment, facilitating access to vital resources and opportunities for presenting research at major conferences. His thoughtful mentorship has left a lasting impact on the careers of his mentees and the broader academic community.

C. André Christie-Mizell and Bennett Landman.

Outstanding Campus Partner

This award recognizes a remarkable team whose dedication and collaboration has furthered the mission of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and provided outstanding support to our postdoc community. The outstanding campus partner award is chosen by the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center Office of Research

The VUMC Office of Research plays a crucial role in supporting postdoctoral fellows by ensuring their needs are met and facilitating connections with various campus resources. By fostering partnerships with VUMC departments and VUMC Human Resources, the office helps postdocs navigate challenges and enhance their experiences at VUMC. This collaborative spirit is essential for cultivating a thriving academic environment that fosters growth and innovation among researchers.

C. André Christie-Mizell with Susan Meyn and Amy Martinez, representing the VUMC Office of Research.

View the award ceremony online. For more information on past winners, please visit the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs website.