The Office of University Postdoctoral Affairs (OUPA) is pleased to announce the 2026 recipients of the Brown Postdoctoral Excellence Awards. Please join us in congratulating this year’s recipients! The Postdoctoral Excellence Awards annually recognize three postdoctoral scholars who demonstrate excellence in research or teaching and go above and beyond to create an inclusive environment for postdoctoral trainees at Brown. The awards are sponsored by OUPA, and nominations were welcomed from all members of the Brown community.

 

A committee of faculty members reviewed nominations and selected the award recipients from 47 nominations submitted by members of the Brown community. The selection committee was very impressed by the caliber and contributions of those nominated. The recipients will be honored with a ceremony with Vice President for Research Greg Hirth during the 2026 Brown Postdoctoral Research Day poster session on Monday, March 23, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Sayles Hall.

 

Postdoctoral Fellow in Behavioral and Social Sciences

Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies

 

“Dr. Cristello stands out as a postdoctoral scholar at Brown University through her outstanding research in youth mental health and substance use care. … Her NIH-funded training includes T32 support and an F31 with a perfect (10) impact score. Dr. Cristello boasts 19 peer-reviewed publications (4 first-authored), 4 under review, 3 book chapters, and 50+ conference presentations. Her work has earned multiple awards and leadership roles in national professional organizations. … Dr. Cristello’s integration of clinical research and technology addresses urgent barriers in youth mental health, setting new standards for evidence-based interventions and informing policy. … Beyond her accomplishments, Dr. Cristello’s professionalism, teamwork, and interpersonal skills distinguish her among early-career researchers. She raises the bar for postdoctoral fellows at Brown.”

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry

 

“Dr. Anindhya Das is an outstanding postdoctoral scholar whose research excellence and community engagement have both made him a highly respected member of the Brown University postdoctoral community. As a co-leader of the Brown Postdoc Council, he has played an important role in inculcating an inclusive, supportive environment where postdocs feel connected and empowered. In this leadership capacity, Anindhya has helped represent postdoc voices, organize community events, and support professional development opportunities for his peers, contributing directly to a stronger and more collaborative postdoctoral culture at Brown. … As an active member of the Brown Postdoc Council, he has served as International Chair and currently as Co-President, playing a central role in strengthening the postdoctoral community. … His efforts have had a lasting positive impact on postdoctoral peers by creating spaces for mentorship, collaboration, and shared community, making Brown a more welcoming environment for postdocs overall.”

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology

 

“Jake joined my laboratory as a postdoctoral researcher in August 2024. … Impressively, within just 6 months, he became the first author of a commentary recently published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine. … His current research focuses on understanding the consequences of the KLRG1/cadherin interaction in cancer development, particularly in solid tumors and metastasis. … Progress has been moving at such a rapid pace that a manuscript, with Jake as a first author, is accepted with minor revisions in the Journal of Immunology. With regards to the impact of his research, I strongly believe that the successful completion of these aims will expedite the development of a KLRG1-targeted immunotherapies for cancer. This would represent a novel therapeutic platform that addresses a critically unmet need. … Jake is an exceptional young scientist … His strong motivation, impressive skill set, and remarkable research trajectory set him apart.”