SCIENCE Career Symposium

Cristina Espinosa-Diez, PhD, is a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics and the Department of Physiology at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan.

Originally from Madrid, Spain, Dr. Espinosa-Diez earned her Ph.D. in Molecular Biosciences at the Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa. She subsequently completed postdoctoral training at Oregon Health & Science University and the University of Pittsburgh, where she expanded her expertise in vascular biology, non-coding RNAs, and epigenetic regulation. She joined Wayne State University as an independent investigator in 2023.

Her laboratory investigates how cellular stress alters gene regulation and vascular cell function, with a particular focus on long non-coding RNAs and epigenetic mechanisms contributing to cardiovascular and kidney diseases. Her research has been supported by the American Heart Association, including a Career Development Award.

Beyond her research, Dr. Espinosa-Diez is actively involved in graduate education, scientific service, and mentoring the next generation of scientists. She is particularly passionate about fostering scientific curiosity, supporting trainees at different career stages, and helping young researchers navigate the challenges and opportunities of an academic career.

Mary O’Donnell, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Biology and Associate Director of the Health Professions Institute at Thiel College in Greenville, Pennsylvania. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Microbiology with a minor in Sociology from The Ohio State University and went on to complete her doctorate in Biological Sciences through the Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience program at Ohio University. In 2018, she joined Magee-Womens Research Institute and the University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences as a Postdoctoral Fellow, where she also earned Associate Level Certification through the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Integrative Research, Teaching, and Learning. She later taught at Oberlin College as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology before joining Thiel College’s Department of Biology in 2021.

At Thiel College, Dr. O’Donnell serves as a dedicated teacher, mentor, advisor, and researcher. She brings multidisciplinary perspectives to her teaching across a wide range of courses in biology, global health, research, and health professions preparation. Her research interests include teaching and learning in the sciences, as well as investigations into the biological effects of stress and stress-related disorders, such as anxiety and depression, on maternal and offspring outcomes. In all areas of her work, she is committed to student success, scientific inquiry, and preparing future professionals.

Joshua Cinicola, PharmD, RPh, is a Senior Clinical Scientist at Merck. He received both his bachelor’s degree in molecular biology and his Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Pittsburgh before completing a two-year Rutgers/Merck Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Late-Stage Clinical Development, Infectious Diseases/Vaccines. Over his 4 years at Merck, Josh has supported clinical development across multiple Infectious Diseases/Vaccines programs, with experience spanning global trial execution, protocol development, medical monitoring, database lock, inspection readiness, and scientific advisory activities.

Krystle A. Frahm, PhD, is currently a Senior Medical Science Liaison (MSL) supporting Women’s Healthcare at Bayer. She brings broad expertise across biopharmaceutical medical affairs and scientific research. Prior to entering industry, Krystle was a Research Assistant Professor and NIH-, society-, foundation-, and industry-supported Principal Investigator at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. She holds a Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology from Colorado State University and M.A. and B.A. degrees in Psychology from Texas State University. Krystle is dedicated to fostering stronger collaboration between academia and industry to ultimately improve health through understanding.

Song-My Hoang, PhD, is a Field Application Scientist at Agilent Technologies, where she serves as a scientific partner to academic, biotech, and pharmaceutical researchers, helping them design experiments, solve technical challenges, and translate data into meaningful insights using metabolic and imaging technologies. As part of the commercial team, she collaborates with customers, R&D, sales, and product management to drive scientific adoption, inform product strategies, and shape future applications.

Dr. Hoang earned her Ph.D. in Molecular Pharmacology from the University of Pittsburgh in Roderick J. O'Sullivan’s lab, where her research focused on telomere maintenance in cancer. During graduate school, she served as a consultant and Chief Human Resources Officer for Fourth River Solutions, a student-led consulting group that helps Ph.D. students and postdoctoral fellows apply their scientific training to real-world business challenges. Outside of work, she enjoys OrangeTheory Fitness and bringing humor into everyday life as an aspiring stand-up comedian.

Nana Hong, PhD, earned her PhD in Biological Sciences from the University of Pittsburgh. She transitioned from academia into biotechnology as a Field Application Scientist before moving into technical sales and business development. Over nine years at Novogene, MedGenome, Illumina, and LGC, she combined her scientific expertise with commercial skills, exploring career opportunities beyond the laboratory.

Alongside her industry career, she built a successful real estate investment business and later pursued entrepreneurship. Today, she leads Kangaroo Investment Group, serves as Vice President of Business Development at Infinite Speakers, and is an angel investor in biotechnology.

She is passionate about helping PhD professionals leverage their scientific training, explore nontraditional career paths, and discover opportunities beyond academia.

Saurin Parikh, MBBS, MS, PhD, is a Manager in Business Development at Mayo Clinic, where he supports the commercialization of medical device and healthcare IT/AI technologies. Trained as a physician, engineer, and scientist, he brings a multidisciplinary perspective to evaluating the clinical and commercial potential of emerging healthcare technologies. Prior to joining Mayo Clinic, Saurin worked in academic technology transfer at the University of Rochester, managing innovations across medical devices, digital health, therapeutics, and other life science technologies. He earned his medical degree in India and holds an MS in Bioengineering (Medical Product Engineering) and a PhD in Integrative Systems Biology from the University of Pittsburgh.

Monojit "Mono" Bhattacharjee, PhD, is a Postdoctoral Associate at the University of Pittsburgh, where his research focuses on translational biomedical science, biomaterials, drug and vaccine delivery systems, and regenerative approaches. He holds a Ph.D. in Animal Biotechnology and an MBA, reflecting his interest in bridging science, innovation, leadership, and management. Before joining Pitt, he served as an Assistant Professor in India, where he was involved in teaching and mentoring students.

Mono currently serves as President of the University of Pittsburgh Postdoctoral Association (UPPDA) for 2026–2027. His leadership work focuses on postdoctoral advocacy, shared governance, career development, international postdoc support, networking, and community building across schools and departments. He is particularly interested in helping postdocs recognize and develop leadership, communication, mentoring, and management skills beyond the laboratory. 

Siddhi Jain, PhD, is a Postdoctoral Associate in the Department of Pathology at the University of Pittsburgh, mentored by Dr. Bhushan. Her research focuses on MET and EGFR signaling in acetaminophen-induced liver injury, particularly liver regeneration and recovery.

She earned her MS and PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology from NIPER-Hyderabad and NIPER-Guwahati, respectively. Her doctoral research investigated PIP5K and intracellular calcium signaling in pulmonary inflammation and acute lung injury. She received DBT and CSIR travel grants to present her research.

Dr. Jain has authored several peer-reviewed publications and received multiple research honors, including an AASLD Foundation Award, the ASIP Travel Award, and recognition through the ASIP Women in Pathology initiative. She serves as Career Development Chair of the UPPDA for 2026–2027 and holds additional leadership roles within the Society of Toxicology. Her goal is to become an independent toxicologist and translational researcher, advancing disease research and improving health outcomes.

Han Zou, PhD, is a Postdoctoral Associate in neuro-oncology at the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, where he studies the brain tumors and brain development. His first-author work in Nature Cell Biology identified a neurodevelopmental program that medulloblastoma hijacks to drive metastasis.

Han completed an eight-year medical program at Central South University in China and came to Pittsburgh in 2019 as a visiting scholar, finishing his doctorate while based here before transitioning to a postdoctoral appointment in 2024. He currently holds three principal investigator awards, including an Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation Young Investigator grant, and has mentored nine undergraduate students.

He also serves as International Chair of the University of Pittsburgh Postdoctoral Association. He is happy to discuss securing independent funding as a postdoc, building a research career with a medical degree, and navigating the transition into U.S. academia as an international scholar.