Twelve scholars from disciplines spanning engineering, the sciences, and the social sciences have been named Presidential Postdoctoral Research Fellows at Princeton.
These scholars are poised to become leaders in their fields, said Dean of the Faculty Gene Jarrett, who called the fellows program “an outstanding demonstration of Princeton’s ability to attract the most promising researchers from all sectors of society and all parts of the world.”
The Presidential Postdoctoral Research Fellows program is intended to recognize and support outstanding scholars who have been historically and are presently underrepresented in the academy or in certain disciplines. Financial support is provided for up to two years at full salary.
“Through the leadership of Frederick Wherry, who was recently appointed to direct this program while serving as vice dean for diversity and inclusion in the Office of the Dean of the Faculty, I am confident that the fellows will have a substantial impact on our University in the near term and on higher education in the long term,” Jarrett said. Former and current members of the Faculty Advisory Committee on Diversity reviewed the nominations on behalf of the Dean of the Faculty.
“I really enjoyed meeting this new cohort at our fall orientation at Prospect House,” said Wherry, the Townsend Martin, Class of 1917 Professor of Sociology. “We know that excellence increases when diversity does. Research papers are more impactful and improved approaches to teaching become imaginable. We’re excited about the possibilities for the academy in the long-term.”
Tiffany Nichols joins the Department of History, where she plans to focus on the history of siting highly precise, large-scale scientific instruments. She will also explore the evolving meaning and scope of “clean-up” at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Hanford, Washington. Nichols holds a Ph.D. in the history of science from Harvard University, a J.D. from the University of Virginia’s School of Law, and a B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Virginia. She is advised by Angela Creager, the Thomas M. Siebel Professor in the History of Science, professor of history and department chair.