SPC President’s Message – September 2026

Dear SER Students, Postdocs, and Early-Career Professionals, 

Hi everyone! My name is Tendai Gwanzura, and I am excited and honored to begin my term as President of the Student & Postdoc Committee. It was wonderful connecting with so many of you at our Annual Meeting in Phoenix, and I hope you are settling into the new academic year. 

I am grateful to Anthony Nixon for his leadership over the past year and to the outgoing committee for all they have done for our community. I am also excited to work with this year’s SPC leadership team: Meghana Shamsunder, President-Elect; Anthony Nixon, Past-President; Meghan Buxton and Hayami Koga, Education Co-Chairs; Anlan Cao and Eunsun Gill, Program Co-Chairs; Ariadne Rivera, Internal Affairs Chair; Sarah Weber and Jessica Beetch, Media Co-Chairs; and Leslie Worrell, Diversity and Inclusion Chair. 

This is a challenging time for many students, postdocs, and early-career professionals. Changes in funding, a difficult job market, and broader shifts in research and public health can make the path ahead feel less predictable. Still, our work matters. The questions we ask, the evidence we generate, and the communities we serve can make a real difference. 

A theme I hope will guide SPC this year is interconnectedness. Careers and meaningful research are rarely built alone. I want SPC to strengthen connections across institutions, research areas, career stages, and professional paths. 

This year, we will focus on listening to members and strengthening professional development, mentorship, connection, and practical career support. We will use feedback from our recent SPC survey and post-conference reflections to help shape our priorities and programming. I also hope many of you will join us for the upcoming virtual SER Mid-Year Meeting, another great opportunity to share your research, learn from one another, and build connections across the SER community. 

Please stay connected, share your ideas, and join us throughout the year. Visit the SPC webpage for events, resources, opportunities, and ways to get involved. 

There is tremendous strength in community, and I am excited about what we can build together. 

Warmest regards,
Tendai Gwanzura
President, SER Student & Postdoc Committee