The program, established in 2019, aims to support early-career researchers in their pursuit of excellence in research and teaching. The four selected researchers are: Dr. Sarah A. Jones, Dr. Michael J. O’Brien, Dr. Emily A. Smith, and Dr. David A. Wilson.
The PPF program prepares participants for future faculty positions while offering them community, networking, and mentorship opportunities. It was one of several programs outlined in the Faculty Diversity Initiative 2.0 in 2022’s Second JHU Roadmap on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and has since supported eight scholars. Those interested in applying for next year’s cohort can learn more on the JHU Faculty Affairs website. Applicants are welcome from any area of study, though priority will be given to those from STEM disciplines. Applications are open through Oct 11. This year’s fellows are: Angélica Cruz-Lebrón completed her PhD in molecular virology at Case Western Reserve University in 2020. Prior to joining the PPF program in the Pathology department, Cruz-Lebrón held a short postdoctoral position at Case Western before joining the Sfanos lab as a postdoctoral fellow in pathology. Cruz-Lebrón’s research focuses on the interplay between steroid metabolism by the gut microbiota and prostate cancer treatment resistance. This fellowship will support one of the first studies examining prostate cancer drug metabolism by the gut microbiota that leads to resistance to prostate cancer treatment. During her free time, Cruz-Lebrón enjoys photography and visiting art museums.
Leann Mclaren completed her PhD in political science at Duke University in 2024. Before joining the PPF program in the Political Science department, Mclaren was a doctoral student at Duke, where she received the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship and completed a dissertation funded by the Russell Sage Foundation, among other organizations. Mclaren’s research focuses on Black political behavior in the U.S., social identity, and immigration politics. Mclaren is currently working on a book project that delves into the strategies and perceptions of Black candidates with “invisible identities,” such as immigrant identity. This groundbreaking research involves the collection of the first known dataset of Black immigrant politicians elected in the U.S. Her unique approach combines content analysis and survey experiments to analyze the effectiveness of these candidates’ identity strategies among Black and white Americans, potentially reshaping future political campaigns. When Mclaren is not working on her academic research, she enjoys crotchet, reading novels, and taking long walks in nature.
She is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), working on a project focused on developing novel therapies for autoimmune diseases. Her research focuses on understanding the role of the immune system in the development and progression of autoimmune diseases. Park’s research has led to the development of a novel therapeutic approach for rheumatoid arthritis, a debilitating autoimmune disease.
B. West’s research has been published in top-tier journals such as “Nature” and “Science,” showcasing his expertise in the field. His work has also been featured in prominent media outlets like “The New York Times” and “The Guardian,” highlighting the potential impact of his research on robotics and human-robot interaction. C.