With the creation of Frontiers of Science, a new postdoctoral position was established for young scientists interested in developing their skills in both research and science education. These "Science Fellows" are instrumental in developing new course material. However, Science Fellow positions are not purely teaching appointments. Because one goal of Frontiers of Science is to expose students to the way scientists work and think, Science Fellows actively pursue their own research projects within their department. Yes, being a Science Fellow can certainly make for a busy life, but if you love to teach and don't want to give up research, this may be the perfect position for you!
Currently, there are twelve Science Fellows representing five science Departments at Columbia (Astronomy, DEES**, Biology, E3B*, and Physics). It is expected that roughly three-five of these positions will open each year.
If you would like to apply to become a Columbia Science Fellow, please follow the link below:
https://academicjobs.columbia.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=55400
Current Science Fellows
| Paul Cadden-Zimansky | Physics | studies novel, two-dimensional electronic states of matter. |
| Yue (Merry) Cai | DEES** | Main research interest is in the applications of radiogenic isotopes in Earth Sciences. |
| Alenka Copic | Biology | Research focus is on dissecting the fundamental processes of protein transport between intracellular compartments, using the tiny budding yeast as a model organism. |
| Hugh Cr0wl | Astrophysics | Investigates how galaxies are affected by their environment, particularly how spiral galaxies in the nearby Virgo cluster are transformed by interactions with the million-degree gas that permeates the cluster. |
| Allison Franzese | DEES** | Research involves the application of isotope geochemistry to Paleoceanography |
| Melinda Han | Chemistry | Studied electronic transport in graphene |
| Sharon Hoffman | DEES** | Uses stable and radioactive isotopes of various elements to reconstruct climate and ocean circulation both in the tropics, using stalagmites, and in the Arctic, using seafloor mud. |
| Elizabeth Leininger | Biology | Research is focused on the evolution of the neuromuscular mechanisms underlying vocalization in Xenopus (African Clawed frogs). Her research interests include neuroethology and the evolution of behavior and nervous systems. |
| Kelly O'Donnell | E3B* | studies evolutionary ecology of invasive plants. Specifically interested in how selection dynamics may alter the invasion process and the role of phenotypic plasticity in promoting invasion. |
| Alessia Pannese | Biology | interested in the neural and cognitive aspects of artistic expression, creativity, and aesthetic resonance |
| Allyson Sheffield | Astronomy | studies the motions and chemical nature of stars in our Galaxy, with the goal of understanding how the Galaxy formed |
| Helena Uthas | Astronomy | Research is focused on late evolution of close binary star systems |
*E3B - Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology
**DEES - Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Past Science Fellow Experience - An Article by Robin McGary Herrnstein