Post-Baccalaureate Program

Following a competitive application cycle, we selected the first cohort of post-bac participants, who began in September 2024.

For the mentored research experience, participants have been matched with participating faculty from the Joslin Diabetes Center and BIDMC and will carry out a longitudinal research project. Mentors provide one-on-one feedback and guidance focused on the independent research experience and career development.

In addition to the mentored research experience, the curriculum for the Program includes:

• Introduction to the Post-baccalaureate Experience (early fall year 1). Weekly series of one-hour sessions will provide participants with an overview of the biomedical enterprise, skills for effectiveness in the research setting, responsible conduct of research, and an introduction to commonly used experimental approaches used in diabetes and metabolism studies.
• Metabolic Physiology and Pathophysiology (winter-spring 1). Weekly 60-minute sessions led by Program Mentors will cover topics from molecular, cellular, and organismal physiology of metabolic regulation to pathophysiology of diabetes and related metabolic disorders.
• Bootcamp: Preparing for Further Training (summer 2). This series of six 90-minute workshops focuses on the doctoral program application process, including what to look for in selecting graduate programs, transforming your resume into a curriculum vitae, the PhD program application process, how to craft a compelling essay, and preparing for interviews. Exercises will include opportunities for participants to prepare written and oral responses for their applications and receive feedback.
• Critical Reading Course (academic year 2). Weekly 60-minute sessions are designed to develop skills in analyzing literature in the field and expanding participants’ fund of knowledge in diabetes and metabolism science.
• Instruction in Responsible Conduct of Research (interspersed throughout 2-year experience).

Stipend for participants is $56,484/year. Benefits, including health insurance, are provided.

Jean Schaffer, MD, Program Director
Senior Investigator and Associate Research Director, Joslin Diabetes Center
Ory Family Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School

Shingo Kajimura, PhD
Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Professor, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School

In September 2024, we welcomed the inaugural class of participants.

Axel Ladd

I am a recent graduate of Tufts University where I majored in Biology, Greek & Latin, and minored in Mathematics. While at Tufts I had the opportunity to explore a number of research topics ranging from modelling pancreatic cancer to identifying mycoviruses. As a member of the Wolfe lab at Tufts I was able to do research on microbiomes and microbial community interactions using fermented foods as a model system. In the lab I picked up an appreciation for cheese and sourdough and I pursued a senior honors thesis on the role of bioelectricity in fungi. I was drawn to this program at Joslin because of my own experience as a Type 1 diabetic and I am so excited to be participating in this field of research!

Sandra Le

I am originally from Everett, Massachusetts and graduated from Tufts University with degrees in Biochemistry and Biotechnology. As an undergraduate student, I was a part of the Diaz Cuadros Lab where I investigated genes involved in the regulation of developmental rate in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Recently, I joined the Beta Cell Aging Lab under Dr. Cristina Aguayo-Mazzucato where I will be studying senescence in beta cell biology and diabetes pathogenesis. Outside of science, I enjoy baking and cooking, following sports matches, collecting postcards, and drinking coffee.

Beste Noyan

Born in Philadelphia, I spent much of my formative years growing up in Istanbul, Turkey. I am working in the Kajimura Lab, where I specialize in metabolite analysis using mass spectrometry. I hold a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Suffolk University and bring a solid background in the field to my role. My current project will focus on research related to diabetes and metabolic diseases. When I’m not in the lab, I love rock climbing and staying physically active.

Mansi Sura

Hi, my name is Mansi, I’m from Raleigh, North Carolina and just graduated from Wake Forest University. After studying metabolic pathways in my classes, I became interested in understanding how these systems can be affected by our actions and environment to alter our body’s necessary functions. I find it particularly interesting to study this in diabetes, which is such a profound disease in the United States. A fun fact about me is that in my spare time, you can likely find me chasing any body of moving water including the Boston Harbor or a giant water fountain!

Daniel Vieira

I am a researcher at BIDMC, deeply interested in the intersection of human physiology and microbiology. I was born and raised in Massachusetts and studied Microbiology at UMass Amherst. My current project is focused on finding new ways to use isotopic tracing to measure changes in gastrointestinal motility. Outside of my research, I have a strong love for music and often find myself envious of the music my dad had growing up.

Type 1 Diabetes

• Cristina Aguayo-Mazzucato, MD, PhD
  Assistant Investigator, Joslin
  Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School
  Beta-cell biology and senescence
• Peng Yi, PhD
  Assistant Investigator, Joslin
  Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School
  Beta-cell destruction and regeneration
• Rohit Kulkarni, MD, PhD
  Senior Investigator, Joslin
  Professor, Harvard Medical School
  Type 1 diabetes, beta-cells, and RNA epigenetics
• Lori Laffel, MD
  Senior Investigator, Joslin
  Professor, Harvard Medical School
  Diabetes management in youth

Metabolic Regulation, Obesity, and Type 2 Diabetes

• Shingo Kajimura, PhD
  Professor of Medicine, BIDMC
  Professor, Harvard Medical School
  Bioenergetics in diabetes and obesity
• Alexander Banks, PhD
  Associate Professor of Medicine, BIDMC
  Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School
  Energy expenditure
• Mark Andermann, PhD
  Professor of Medicine, BIDMC
  Professor, Harvard Medical School
  Neural control of energy balance
• Brad Lowell, MD, PhD
  Professor of Medicine, BIDMC
  Professor, Harvard Medical School
  Central nervous system control of food intake
• Evan Rosen, MD, PhD
  Professor of Medicine, BIDMC
  Professor, Harvard Medical School
  Adipose tissue biology
• Yu-Hua Tseng, PhD
  Senior Investigator, Joslin
  Professor, Harvard Medical School
  Adipose tissue, brown fat
• Amy Wagers, PhD
  Senior Investigator, Joslin
  Professor, Harvard Medical School
  Stem cells and metabolic disease
• Barbara Kahn, MD
  Professor of Medicine, BIDMC
  Professor, Harvard Medical School
  Intertissue communication
• C Ronald Kahn, MD
  Senior Investigator, Joslin
  Professor, Harvard Medical School
  Insulin signaling
• Alex Kostic, PhD
  Assistant Investigator, Joslin
  Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School
  Microbiome and metabolic disease
• Laurie Goodyear, PhD
  Senior Investigator, Joslin
  Professor, Harvard Medical School
  Exercise physiology and transgenerational risk

Complications

• T Keith Blackwell, MD, PhD
  Senior Investigator, Joslin
  Professor, Harvard Medical School
  Aging and metabolic stress
• Alessandro Doria, MD, PhD
  Senior Investigator, Joslin
  Professor, Harvard Medical School
  Diabetes complications
• Robert Gerszten, MD
  Professor of Medicine, BIDMC
  Professor, Harvard Medical School
  Metabolomics and cardiovascular complications
• Geroge King, MD
  Senior Investigator, Joslin
  Professor, Harvard Medical School
  Protection from diabetes complications
• Monika Niewczas, MD, PhD
  Assistant Investigator, Joslin
  Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School
  Biomarkers of diabetes complications
• Mary Elizabeth Patti, MD
  Investigator, Joslin
  Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School
  Type 2 diabetes, epigenetic determinants and reversibility
• Jean Schaffer, MD
  Senior Investigator, Joslin
  Professor, Harvard Medical School
  Metabolic stress responses and complications
• Jennifer Sun, MD
  Investigator, Joslin
  Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School
  Diabetic retinopathy

• We anticipate the next round of applications will begin in December 2025 for positions beginning in summer 2026.
• Applications involve demographic information, 4 short essays, and the names and contact information (email and telephone) for 2 individuals who know you from a scientific and/or academic perspective and from whom the program can obtain a reference.
• An Admissions Committee composed of Program mentors reviews completed applications and invites applicants for virtual interviews with members of the committee.
• The Admissions Committee selects participants, considering both the merit of the applications and the potential fit with mentors.
  
  

• US citizen, noncitizen national of the US, or non-citizen who has permanent residency.
• Have completed undergraduate degree by June 2024 but no earlier than April 2022 with a minimum of 1 year of undergraduate coursework in biology and 2 years of chemistry (or biochemistry). Parental, medical, or other well-justified leave for personal or family situations and national service (e.g., Peace Corps, or service in the National Guard or Armed Forces Reserves) are not included in the 2-year eligibility limit.
• Able to commit to completion of the 2-year full-time program.
• Vaccinated against COVID-19 and influenza.

• For questions about the program, email us.