Juan S. Bonifacino, Ph.D.
Dr. Juan S. Bonifacino’s interest in science started early in his childhood and led him from his home country of Argentina to NIH, where he has been since 1982. He credits NIH leadership’s recognition of the importance of diversity and NICHD’s mission of helping marginalized groups, such as people with disabilities, as major factors that drew him to the institute and contribute to his reasons for staying.
Learn more about Dr. Bonifacino.
Toyin Ajisafe, Ph.D.
Dr. Toyin Ajisafe was always interested in the human body and health, even asking his father for a four-volume set of medical encyclopedias when he was a teenager. His research journey led him from Nigeria to the United States and through studies and work in physical therapy, kinesiology, and biomechanics.
Leah Rosin, Ph.D.
Dr. Leah Rosin attributes an enthusiastic high school biology teacher for first inspiring her interest in science and genetics. She also praises how choosing the right doctoral mentor can provide the training and support needed to learn the skills for advancing or maybe even switching fields after graduate school.
Virginia Salo, Ph.D.
Dr. Virginia Salo knew the moment she began collecting information for her master’s program in experimental psychology that she enjoyed data analysis. A change in advisors during her Ph.D. studies aligned with her own shifting research interests and led to her focus on preverbal development in infancy and the internal and external factors that create the foundation for successful communication and language development.
Amanda Alise Price, Ph.D.
Dr. Amanda Alise Price is director of the Office of Health Equity and chief scientific diversity officer at NICHD. An exercise physiologist by training and artist in her downtime, Dr. Price is passionate about leading and shaping NICHD’s vision of and leading initiatives on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
Stephen Gilman, Sc.D.
Dr. Stephen Gilman started his professional career in documentary photography. His first post-photography job, as a research assistant, led him to discover his interest in science as well as his first two mentors.
Nancy Zhou, Ph.D.
Dr. Nancy Zhou finds great value in mentorship, whether as the mentor or mentee. She attributes much of her success to mentors who guided her through various career milestones and is determined to share that same support with others, particularly with women in the fields of science and technology.
David Weinberg, Ph.D.
In every work position Dr. David Weinberg has held, he tries to bring enthusiasm, an open mind, and a willingness to carry his share of the workload. He also always seeks mentorship from persons above, equal to, and below him in the organization, as each person’s experience with him is slightly different, and all have lessons to teach him.
Learn more about Dr. Weinberg.
Mark Stopfer, Ph.D.
A childhood fascination with understanding how things worked was the spark that ignited Dr. Mark Stopfer’s interest in studying the brain and how it processes information.
Ryan Dale, Ph.D., M.S.
Dr. Ryan Dale’s early research experiences spanned from the Midwest prairie to the coastal estuaries of Maine.
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