Careers of our Graduates

Graduate research is a journey of winding roads, indirect paths, and wrong turns–and it seems that life after graduation may follow suit. With a rapidly changing career market for biomedical PhD holders, where NES alumni finally settle can be a telling indicator of what current students may expect post-graduation.

We’ve compiled available data on 37 civilian PhD alumni (a little more than half of our total graduates) as a snapshot of their current career station. Although academic positions slightly predominate the listing, post-doctoral fellowships are an impermanent position and many may still lead to non-research or non-academic roles. Stay tuned as we continue to fill gaps in the alumni records and produce more accurate representations of life after the degree.

Examples of Recent Alumni Careers

  • a. Michael D Nieves, PhD (2021): Brain Health Research & Policy Analyst, Alexa Research & Engineering, Support for the Director, Force Readiness and Health Assurance Policy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs
  • b. Guzal Khayrullina, PhD (2021): Postdoctoral Fellow, National Cancer Institute
  • c. Nikki McCormack PhD (2020): Postdoctoral Fellow, Children's National Hospital
  • d. Patricia Vu, MD, PhD (2020): Madigan Army Medical Center
  • e. Christina Marion, PhD (2019): Postdoctoral Fellow, The Ohio State University
  • f. Michelle Bylicky, PhD (2019): Postdoctoral Fellow, National Cancer Institute
  • g. Ashley Russell, PhD (2018): Research Scientist, University of Pittsburgh
  • h. Edwin Obana, PhD (2018): Biomedical Writer, Cadent Medical Communications
  • i. Ramona von Leden, PhD (2017): Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Texas, Austin
  • j. Teresa Ferrara-Bowens, PhD (2016): Medical Acquisitions Advisor: Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense
  • k. Fiona Brabazon, PhD (2016): Director, Biomedical Research, National Multiple Sclerosis Society
  • l. Eric Prager, PhD (2014): Former Editor-in-Chief the Journal of Neuroscience Research, presently Associate Director for External Affairs at Cohen Veterans Bioscience
  • m. Anton Dmitriev, PhD (2010): Director, Division of Applied Mechanics, FDA
  • n. Felicia Qashu, PhD (2009): Program Officer, NIH
  • o. Tyler Best, PhD (2008): Program Officer, NIH
  • p. Alisa Schaefer, PhD (2007): Advisor for Global Outreach, NIH
  • q. Clifton Dalgard, PhD (2005): Professor, Department of Anatomy, Physiology & Genetics, USU
  • r. Alicia Crowder, PhD (2004): Neurotrauma Portfolio Manager, DVBIC/CDMRP/DoD
  • s. Kimberly Byrnes (2003): Professor, Director of Neuroscience Program, USU