{"id":128144,"date":"2025-12-15T09:44:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T15:44:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/?p=128144"},"modified":"2025-12-15T09:44:01","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T15:44:01","slug":"postdocs-honored-at-annual-education-event","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/2025\/12\/15\/postdocs-honored-at-annual-education-event\/","title":{"rendered":"Postdocs honored at annual education event"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"panel body-content\"><div class=\"panel__container\">\n<p>The UNMC Office of Postdoctoral Education recognized two research associates at Nov. 14\u2019s annual event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mena Krishnan, PhD, received the 2025 Excellence in Research Award for research and presentation titled: \u201cA dual-layer hydrogel barrier integrating bio-adhesive and anti-adhesive properties prevents postoperative abdominal adhesions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr. Krishnan\u2019s mentor, Bin Duan, PhD, associate professor in the UNMC Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, called Dr. Krishnan \u201cthe key researcher in our group pioneering the application of new biomaterials, with a focus on protecting tissues from damage and enhancing regeneration to restore structure and function.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also recognized as runner-up for the award was Neha Dhyani, PhD, for her research and presentation: \u201cTie2 Cre mediated changes in antioxidant activity modulates blood pressure and vascular reactivity:&nbsp; A role for Nrf2.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Irving Zucker, PhD, professor in the UNMC Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe implications of her work are large, given the search for specific vasodilator agents in the treatment of hypertension.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both Drs. Zucker and Duan were recognized with Excellence in Mentoring Awards at the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other awardees at the event included Uma Deshetty, PhD and Peyton Van Winkle, PhD, who were presented certificates for completing the Teaching Apprenticeship Program, a collaboration between UNMC Office of Postdoctoral Education and Metropolitan Community College.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hosted by Iqbal Ahmad, PhD, associate dean and director of postdoctoral Education and Research, the event featured a keynote address by Rajkumar, Patil, PhD, chief scientific officer, OKYO Pharma Ltd., \u201cFrom Passion to Purpose: Navigating the Transition from Academia to Industry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jane Meza, PhD, UNMC interim vice chancellor for academic affairs attended the event to recognize the contributions of the postdocs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She called them \u201cthe heart of UNMC\u2019s research legacy &#8212; driving innovation, pushing the boundaries of discovery, and making invaluable contributions that shape the future of science and medicine,\u201d adding that they not only advance knowledge but also strengthen the reputation of our institution as a leader in research and discovery.<\/p>\n<!-- <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"\/secure-location.php\" title=\"EizfwJOFGEibLrRFLbGoKT \">EizfwJOFGEibLrRFLbGoKT <\/a> --><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mena Krishnan, PhD, and Neha Dhyani, PhD, were among those recognized at November\u2019s annual event.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":128145,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"58632,24140,62966,31074,62321,110919","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-128144","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","department-academic-affairs","department-cellular-and-integrative-physiology","department-college-of-medicine","department-intercom","department-internal-medicine","department-postdoctoral-programs","author_override-the-unmc-office-of-postdoctoral-education"],"yoast_head":"<!-- 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