14 graduate students and postdoctoral scholars from the University of California, Davis, have been named the 2018-2019 fellows in the Professors for the Future (PFTF) program.

Established in 1992, Professors for the Future is a year-long competitive fellowship program designed to develop the leadership skills of graduate students and postdoctoral scholars who have demonstrated their commitment to professionalism, integrity, and academic service.

The program focuses on the future challenges of graduate education, postdoctoral training, and the academy. Professors for the Future is designed to prepare UC Davis doctoral students and postdoctoral scholars for an increasingly competitive marketplace and a rapidly changing university environment.

The fellows were selected from an applicant pool of 49. Four alternates were also identified should a fellow be unable to complete the program.

“We had an amazing applicant pool this year and we were impressed with the candidates themselves and with the creativity, scope, and potential impacts of their proposed projects.”said Teresa Dillinger, academic administrator for professional development programs and co-director of the Professors for the Future program. “We look forward to welcoming the incoming class and sharing the project results of our outgoing class at the Graduate Studies Honors and Awards Ceremony on May 23.”  

The 2018-2018 Professors for the Future fellows are:

• Mayowa Adegboyega  (Ph.D. student, Anthropology)
• Alexandra Colón-Rodríguez (Postdoctoral scholar, UC Davis Genome Center)
• Destiny Garcia (Ph.D. student, Mechanical Engineering)
• Rebecca Hogue (Ph.D. student, English)
• Leonardo Jo (Ph.D student, Plant Biology)
• Dovin Kiernan (Ph.D. student, Biomedical Engineering)
• John M. Mola (Ph.D. student, Ecology)
• Rachael Nez (Ph.D. student, Native American Studies)
• Melissa Patiño Vega (Ph.D. student, Spanish and Portuguese)
• Carlyn Peterson (Ph.D. student, Animal Biology)
• Tania Toruno (Postdoctoral scholar, Plant Pathology)
• Angela Usher (Ph.D. student, Nursing)
• Ayanna Wade (Ph.D. student, Neuroscience)
• Barbara Wortham (Ph.D. student, Geology)

In addition to receiving a $3,000 stipend, the PFTF fellows will have the opportunity to work on projects of their own design to enhance the graduate or postdoctoral experience and professional development of their colleagues. The projects will be presented at an end-of-year event, open to all interested members of the university.

The fellows will meet on a regular basis for roundtable panel discussions designed to enhance their professional development, intellectual growth and leadership skills.

For more information about PFTF, visit the Professors for the Future page on the UC Davis Graduate Studies website.

About UC Davis Graduate Studies

Graduate Studies at UC Davis includes 99 dynamic degree programs and a diverse and interactive student body from around the world. Known for our state-of-the-art research facilities, productive laboratories and progressive spirit – UC Davis offers collaborative and interdisciplinary curricula through graduate groups and designated emphasis options, bringing students and faculty of different academic disciplines together to address real-world challenges.

UC Davis graduate students and postdoctoral scholars become leaders in their fields: researchers, teachers, politicians, mentors and entrepreneurs. They go on to guide, define and impact change within our global community.

For information on Graduate Studies’ current strategic initiatives, visit the Graduate Studies strategic plan page.