Congratulations to UCSF postdoctoral scholars Sagar Bhattacharya, PhD and Nick Shin, PhD, who were selected this spring as UC President's Lindau Nobel Meeting Fellows for 2025, and will soon travel to participate in the annual Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Chemistry from June 29 to July 4.
These two UCSF postdocs were nominated by the Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs dean’s office based on demonstrated excellence and engagement in their field of research, as well as enthusiastic support from mentors. They were selected by Lindau and an advisory group appointed by the UC President from a UC system-wide pool of nominees, and will join 31 other UC learners plus hundreds of young scientists from all over the world participating in this year’s chemistry meeting and interacting with Nobel Laureates.
Learn a little more about Sagar and Nick, and what they’re looking forward to at Lindau:
Sagar Bhattacharya, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Mentor: William F. DeGrado, PhD
Research Focus: My research is primarily focused on protein design and directed evolution to devise sustainable biocatalysts for practically useful chemical transformations. In addition, I aim to develop novel drug delivery approaches using protein engineering strategies to expand the repertoire of protein design to biomedical applications.
“The Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting ranks as one of the most prestigious meetings a young researcher from the STEM disciplines can attend, since it provides an outstanding opportunity for early career researchers like us across the globe to meet the top scientists from different research areas and learn more about the scope as well as the challenges for the next career steps. I feel amazed at the Lindau alumni, who have made notable contributions from academia to industry.... Attending this meeting, besides forging a network with the Lindau attendees, will support my professional development goals and enrich my leadership skills, underscoring the importance of inclusion and belonging.”
Nick Shin, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar
Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology
Mentor: Wendell Lim, PhD
Research Focus: I am interested in how cells talk to each other to build complex biological systems. Specifically, I use synthetic biology tools to engineer cell-cell interactions that have broad impacts on natural biology and cell-based therapeutics.
“The Lindau Meeting is a unique and immersive opportunity to engage with some of the brightest scientific minds of our time. I look forward to witnessing the passion and excitement from fellow early-career scientists while absorbing broad insights and wisdom from Nobel Laureates. This rare convergence of generations promises to spark meaningful discussions about both cutting-edge research and the future of science.”
Begun in 1951, today the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting brings together more than 600 university students and postdoctoral fellows from around the world who spend one week in Lindau, Germany, absorbing lectures by Nobel Laureates and interacting with them in small groups to discuss their own research. This summer's 74th meeting will concentrate on chemistry. With the theme of “educate, inspire, and connect,” these meetings are places where students and postdocs not only learn, but begin to build the research networks that will enrich their lives and help create the broadest sense of community.
Learn more about the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings. The Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs invites applications from eligible PhD students and postdocs each year in late summer.