Postdoctoral fellows love the University of Nebraska Medical Center so much that they ranked it in the top 40 "Best Places to Work for Postdocs" in the United States.
The Scientist magazine, which published rankings in the March issue for United States and international institutions, surveyed “postdocs” around the world.
“This affirms the progress we’ve made to provide a good environment for postdocs,” said Iqbal
Ahmad, Ph.D., associate dean and director of postdoctoral education and research at UNMC.
“Being ranked among the top 40 will help us attract the best and brightest postdocs,” he said.
One of the 11 comprehensive academic health science centers on the list, UNMC ranked 39.
Tom Rosenquist, Ph.D., vice chancellor for research, praised UNMC’s nurturing environment.
"UNMC scientists have shown their power to acquire funding, publish in high-impact journals and establish worldwide reputations for excellence,” he said. “This new honor underscores their even more important ability to nurture the next generation of scientists. It’s the next step in the growth and maturation of the UNMC research program."
Rubens Pamies, M.D., vice chancellor for academic affairs and dean for graduate students, said he was delighted to hear that UNMC’s program ranked so high.
“This is a tribute to the hard work the university is doing to improve the postdoctoral experience and the leadership Dr. Ahmad has provided for the continued training and development of our postdoctoral scholars."
UNMC has 120 postdocs from all over the world, the majority from India and China. They work with mentors in laboratories for two to five years.
Dr. Ahmad said that UNMC was the first institution in the United States to mandate a minimum salary level for postdocs and was among the few in nation to offer these benefits:
· A series of workshops on scientific and grant writing and public speaking; and
· Travel fellowships and awards to facilitate a comprehensive training and encouragement toward an independent career.
Gurudutt Pendyala, Ph.D., instructor of pharmacology and a 2009 Postdoc of the Year, completed his postdoctoral training in the laboratory of Howard Fox, M.D., Ph.D., professor of pharmacology and experimental neuroscience.
“I am fortunate to work with some of the best minds in my area of research and fortunate that I am able to do translational research. I’ve seen some wonderful collaborations develop here,” he said.
Results are published in The Scientist, March 2010 issue and are available at www.the-scientist.com.
As the state’s only academic health science center, UNMC is on the leading edge of health care. Breakthroughs are possible because hard-working researchers, educators and clinicians are resolved to work together to fuel discovery. In 2009, UNMC’s extramural research support topped $100 million for the first time, resulting in the creation of 3,600 jobs in Nebraska. UNMC’s academic excellence is shown through its award-winning programs, and its educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution. Through its commitment to education, research, patient care and outreach, UNMC and its hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center, have established themselves as one of the country’s leading health care centers. UNMC’s physician practice group, UNMC Physicians, includes 550 physicians in 50 specialties and subspecialties who practice primarily in The Nebraska Medical Center. For more information, go to UNMC’s Web site at www.unmc.edu.
-30-