For Postdoc, Residents and Fellows

Postdoctoral Candidate Pelotonia Scholars Program

Learn about the Postdoctoral Candidate Pelotonia Scholars Program, providing cancer research scholarship awards to accomplished postdoctoral candidates.

The Pelotonia Postdoctoral Candidate Scholars Program at The Ohio State University offers a two-year research award to promising postdoctoral candidates focused on cancer research. Open to all fields, from traditional sciences to history, business, and computer science, the program aims to support researchers at a crucial career stage, helping them develop the skills and funding needed for independent research. Emphasizing recently graduated PhDs, the program recruits postdoctoral fellows from around the world to advance their careers through independent cancer research. Past awardees have come from diverse fields — such as Biomedical Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, Mechanical Engineering, and Psychology. Their research spans a wide range of topics, including the impact of cancer-causing viruses and the behavior of genetic mutations that lead to cancer.

Competition is strong, and all applications are vigorously reviewed by the Pelotonia Scholars Program Committee. The award's prestige has helped recipients stand out, leading to academic and high-profile industry positions.

Eligibility

Postdoctoral Application Eligibility and Scoring Criteria

Application Cycle

Applications are accepted twice a year for post-doctoral awards.
Spring: January 15 - 11:59 PM on February 15. Award begins June 1
Fall: June 15 - 11:59 PM July 15. Award begins January 1

Contact

Pelotonia Scholars Program Manager: Marie Gibbons
Phone: 614-685-1960
Email: marie.gibbons@osumc.edu

2024 Postdoctoral Candidate Pelotonia Scholars

Angela del Aguila, PhD

Angela del Aguila, PhD

Award Cycle: Spring 2024

Major: Chemistry

Project: Gut-Brain Communication via Intraperitoneal Immune Cells in the Context of Chemotherapy.

Mentor: Leah Pyter, PhD

Idea Inspiration: My goal is to understand the potential for the gut microbiome-immune-brain axis to reduce chemotherapy-induced side effects (chemo brain).

Jay,  Mandula, BS, PhD

Jay, Mandula, BS, PhD

Award Cycle: Spring 2024

Major: PhD in Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy; BS in Biology

Project: Leveraging Immunogenic Cell Death to Reprogram the Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment and Restore Antitumor Immunity in Bladder Cancer.

Mentor: Zihai Li, MD, PhD

Idea Inspiration: Our research focuses on leveraging the immunogenic potential of paraptosis to restore adaptive antitumor immunity in bladder cancer.