NIH Record - National Institutes of Health

Intramural Postdocs Named MOSAIC Scholars

A smiling Cassandra Hayne standing outside
Dr. Cassandra Hayne

The final FY 2021 Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) scholar awards were issued recently. Four were awarded to postdocs in NIH’s Intramural Research Program: 

Dr. Cassandra Hayne of NIEHS, Dr. John Jimah and Dr. Agnes Karasik of NIDDK and Dr. Velencia Witherspoon of NICHD. All are funded by NIGMS.

Agnes Karasik in front of a book-lined bookshelf
Dr. Agnes Karasik

MOSAIC facilitates the transition of promising postdoctoral researchers from diverse backgrounds into independent faculty careers at research-intensive institutions. The program provides these scientists with up to 5 years of mentored career development and research support. 

John Jima in a blue button-down shirt standing in front of a brick building
Dr. John Jimah

In addition, each scholar becomes part of a cohort-based career development program to expand their professional networks and gain additional skills and mentoring through programs administered by MOSAIC UE5 awardees—the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the American Society for Cell Biology and the Association of American Medical Colleges.

About 75 percent of MOSAIC scholars are from racial/ethnic groups that are underrepresented in the biomedical sciences. To see the complete list of 2021 scholars funded NIH-wide, visit: https://www.nigms.nih.gov/training/careerdev/Pages/mosaic-scholars.aspx.

A smiling Velencia Witherspoon in an orange sweater standing on a bridge
Dr. Velencia Witherspoon

An inaugural annual meeting for the scholars, featuring scientific sessions highlighting their research, will be held virtually Oct. 14-15 from 1 to 5 p.m. ET each day. NIH director Dr. Francis Collins, NIGMS director Dr. Jon Lorsch and NIH chief officer for scientific workforce diversity Dr. Marie Bernard are scheduled to address attendees. NIA director Dr. Richard Hodes, NIMHD director Dr. Eliseo Pérez-Stable, NIDCD director Dr. Debara Tucci and NIDA director Dr. Nora Volkow also will participate.

For more information about the meeting, visit: https://mregs.nih.gov/channels/Z142-A515.

NIH accepts applications for the MOSAIC K99/R00 award three times per year. Wednesday, Oct. 27 is the next application receipt date. Awards are limited to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.  

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