UCLA

Tanya Gupta, Chair

I am from the Chicago area, and received my B.A. in Psychology and Biology at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL and my PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience from Arizona State University. I am currently a postdoc in Scott Wilke’s lab in the department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at UCLA, where I study brain circuitry underlying value- and effort-based decision-making. Outside of the lab, I enjoy watching Bollywood movies, exploring new neighborhoods in LA, and (trying to) write manuscripts in local coffee shops. As the PDA Chair, I look forward to facilitating connections between postdoctoral scholars from diverse personal and academic backgrounds.

Diana Aguilar, Vice-Chair of Operations

I am from Mexico City, where I received my B.S. in Genomic Science from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). I got my PhD in Computational Biology from the University of California, Berkeley. My research interests are conservation genomics and adaptive population genomics. My dissertation focused on adaptation, diversity, and evolution in different vertebrates. While conducting my PhD research, I received the Fulbright García-Robles Fellowship and the UC MEXUS-CONACYT Fellowship. Currently I am a Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellow working with Kirk Lohmueller in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. My work revolves around understanding and preserving genomic diversity while mitigating genomic load in populations of concern. Beyond academia, I find joy in dancing and cherishing moments with my canine companion. As Vice Chair of Operations of the PDA, I aim to foster a more connected community among postdocs, recognizing the often isolating nature of the experience. 

Roya Bagheri, Vice-Chair of Communications

I’m originally from Iran and hold a BS in Material Engineering-biomaterials from Iran University of Science and Technology, an MS in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Tehran, and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering-biomechanics from Michigan Technological University. My research journey has taken me from tissue engineering to medical devices, focusing on various health-related areas. Currently, I’m a postdoc at UCLA’s Orthopaedic Hospital Research Center. Outside of the lab, I find joy in hiking, reading science fiction, playing tennis, basketball, swimming, dancing, camping, and board games. As PDA Vice-Chair of Communications, I’m excited about improving connections among postdoctoral researchers, encouraging collaborations, and making social interactions easier for everyone.

Rose Babaee, Vice-Chair of Community Engagement

I am originally from Iran and have lived in Australia for a significant period of time. I completed my PhD in Education at the University of Tasmania, Australia, where I specialised in innovative teaching strategies and curriculum transformation within higher education. I am currently a Postdoctoral Scholar at Anderson School of Management. My academic journey began with a B.A. in English Language and Literature, followed by an M.A. in Teaching English. My career has led me to various educational institutions across the globe, including the University of Tasmania, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), and Deakin, Monash, and Swinburne universities in Melbourne, Australia, where I contributed to technology-enhanced learning and research. Here is my LinkedIn profile. I am looking forward to facilitating connections between postdoctoral scholars from diverse personal and academic backgrounds.

Kathia Ramirez, Vice-Chair of Advocacy and Campus Relations

I am an enthusiastic Mexican neuroscientist interested in decision-making processes and their alterations in diverse psychiatric conditions. I received my BS in Clinical Chemistry from the University of Sonora and my MS and PhD degrees in Biochemical Sciences from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Currently, I am a Postdoc in Kate Wassum’s Lab at UCLA, studying the role of dopamine in adaptive decision-making. Outside the lab, I enjoy outdoor activities, practicing martial arts, and traveling. As Vice-Chair of Advocacy, I am committed to fostering an environment where the postdoctoral community can realize their maximum academic and personal potential

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