Postdoc Appreciation Week (PAW) 2025 is taking place from Monday 15 to Friday 19 September to celebrate the fantastic contribution postdocs and researchers make towards research and academic life. It's a special time to showcase, recognise, and celebrate their efforts, and thank them for all they do!

See the statements of thanks below from our academics to our postdocs for their valued contribution.

As a token of the University’s appreciation for their contribution, all supervisors and postdocs included below will receive a voucher so that they can have a break and enjoy a hot drink together in 4 West Café.

Faculty of Engineering & Design

Professor Susan A Bernal, Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering:

I would like to say thank you to the Postdoc Researcher Xuhui Liang for his commitment and dedication to the research he is conducting. For being patience and diplomatic managing the dynamics of having multiple people guiding the research he is developing. Thank you Xuhui for always being kind, positive and willing to listen when receiving feedback, and for the excellent research you are developing at present. It is great to have you as part of the team.

I would like to say thank the Postdoc Researcher Ilda Tole because of the dedication and passion she invests in developing the highest quality research possible. For her kindness and positivity, even in the challenging times, and for always finding a solution to get the job done. Ilda is extremely generous with her knowledge and time. A supportive and compassionate colleague, and a dynamic and super talented individual. Thank you Ilda for joining me in creating a great research group, and for looking after everything and everyone (including me!) always.

Dr Uriel Martinez Hernandez, Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering:

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my postdoc Dr Ulises Tronco-Jurado for his great work, innovative ideas, and dedication which have been invaluable to our research team. His creativity and energy have inspired new directions in our projects, and his willingness to support both our Multimodal inte-R-action lab as well as our PhD and MSc students has made a significant impact. Ulises has shown exceptional commitment, not only in advancing our research but also in fostering a collaborative and motivating environment. His contributions, professionalism and enthusiasm continue to strengthen our group to accomplish our research team goals.

Dr Hannah Leese, Department of Chemical Engineering:

A massive thank you to Dr Fatima Anjum, Dr Xiang Ding, Dr Madhurima Dutta, Dr Ahmed Swilem and Dr Nael Berri, for their dedication, for championing and contributing to such a positive and dynamic research environment in Chemical Engineering and CBio, thank you for all that you do, from your research excellence to supporting and mentoring your fellow colleagues and students.

Professor Tim Mays, Department of Chemical Engineering:

I would like to say thank you my postdoc Dr George Neville whose dedication to the highest quality research, and support of early career researchers, is truly exceptional. George is a kind and thoughtful colleague who gets things done without fuss or bother and always with an eye to generating new, interesting and impactful knowledge and understanding - the perfect attitude for any university researcher at any level. THANK YOU GEORGE!

I would like to say thank you my postdoc Dr Rajan Jagpal because he has proven over the past few years in my group to be a creative, hard-working and energetic researcher and a fantastic colleague. A highlight for me is his inspirational support of fellow researchers, including peers and PhD and undergraduate students. He is a perfect role model for early career researchers and I admire and respect him so much for that. THANK YOU RAJ!

Professor Marcelle McManus, Department of Mechanical Engineering:

I would like to say thank you Dr Lewis McDonald because they always go the extra mile to produce high quality and innovative work. Not only that, but Lewis is kind with time and knowledge, making the research group a better place to be for everyone. Lewis is passionate not only about research, but in the research environment and culture. Academia would be better if more people were like Lewis and I'm very glad to have them in our team.

Professor Paul Shepherd, Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering:

I would like to say thank you my postdoc, Boroto Hwabamungu, because he is always positive and cheerful, and brightens up my day when he comes into my office. His work has been consistently thoughtful and of high standard. I enjoy our interesting discussions and, thanks to our very different backgrounds, we never fail to learn something from each other.

Professor Alborz Shokrani, Department of Mechanical Engineering:

I would like to thank Dr Joe Betts for going above and beyond to help everyone in the team and for being such a good colleague to work with.

I would like to say thank you to Ishrat Fairoz for all their hard work and dedication to the project, dealing with 16 project partners. Ishrat is working on a project in partnership with Airbus and is developing cost and environmental impact models for various manufacturing processes. He is a great team player who can work and bring the team together both professionally and socially.

Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences

Professor Eleonora Fichera, Department of Economics:

I would like to say thank to my postdoc, Andrea Serna Castano, for being so proactive and organised in our work together. I also deeply appreciate your generosity towards colleagues, whether junior or senior. You are a true team player, an excellent researcher, and a kind person all around. Thank you.

Professor Laura G. E. Smith, Department of Psychology:

I would like to say a HUGE thank you to my fabulous postdocs, Amelia Dennis, Will Smith, Jiahao Eric Yang, and Sachini Weerawardhara. They fill our lab with enthusiasm, ideas, humour, and inspiration, and hold our projects together. They are the heart and soul of our research!

Faculty of Science

Professor Simon Bending, Department of Physics:

I would like to say thank you to my postdoc Joe Wilcox for the thoughtful, skilful and highly professional way he approaches scientific investigations in the lab. He is also a delightful researcher to work alongside and an outstanding mentor to my PhD students.

Dr Ruth Bowness, Department of Mathematical Sciences:

I would like to say thank you to my postdoc, Roselyn Kaondera-Shava, for her enthusiasm, compassionate leadership, and unwavering commitment to equity in STEM. She turns complex challenges into impactful solutions and makes our team stronger, kinder, and more inspired every day.

Professor Tiffany Taylor, Department of Life Sciences:

I would like to say thank you my postdoc, Yueyi Cai, because her cheerful and collaborative spirit, dedication, intelligence, and passion for science make her an absolute joy to work with and a true asset to the lab.

Professor Kit Yates, Department of Mathematical Sciences:

I would like to say thank you to my postdoc, Cameron Smith, because he is an exceptionally versatile, efficient, and independent researcher who consistently delivers work of the highest quality. His ability to adapt to new challenges, manage projects autonomously, and maintain rigorous academic standards is truly impressive. Beyond his technical expertise, he contributes significantly to a positive and collaborative research culture, supporting students and delivering excellent science. His professionalism and dedication make him an outstanding academic and an invaluable member of my team.