Manifestos of candidates
Faria Khan
Working as a postdoc researcher at Harvard University, I would be delighted to take the role of the Chair of North American chapter of MCAA and promote the activities of EU funded projects, MSCA actions, and ESR across the US. I have previously been involved in the Bridging Science and Business Groups and Poland Chapter between 2017- 2021. During my Ph.D, I was funded by MSCA CoFund fellowship and was able to carry out my research in Poland with the secondment in the US (North Carolina). I took part in various chapter (Poland) activities, and took part in General Assemblies in the EU. I am motivated to serve as a chair for the North American chapter, help organize working group meetings, small networking events and disseminate information about the EU and MSCA funded opportunities across North America. In addition, I would actively network and help communicate between members about potential events, conferences and career opportunities for EU residents in the US.
Sandra Rebok
I am historian of knowledge of German origin and currently a visiting scholar at the University of California in San Diego, a fellow at the UCSD Center for US-Mexican Studies, and a research associate at the University of San Diego. Trained in Heidelberg, Paris and Madrid, I have worked for many years at the Spanish National Research Council, Spain’s most renowned research institution, and was a Marie Curie Fellow at the Huntington Library in Southern California, working on a project that studied the Prussian explorer Alexander von Humboldt and his ties to the United States. My research generally focuses on 18th/19th century exploration voyages, intellectual networks and transnational scientific collaboration and my current research project has taken me to the American West, and in particular, the Spanish Southwest of the United States.
In addition, I have many years of experience in science communication in different formats and various countries and have curated several exhibitions in the field of history of knowledge.
The reasons why I decided to run for the position as chair of the MC North America chapter are manifold: I am personally very grateful for the MC International Outgoing Fellowship that was awarded to me (2013-2016), as well as the new insights, expertise, and networks it has provided to me, from which my research still benefits. Moreover, I much appreciate the efforts of the Marie Curie Alumni Association to create this network of alumni and to offer additional support to our career development through grants or free access to educational platforms. As I am delighted to be already a member of the board of the North America chapter, where I am in charge of the relation to the Mexico chapter, I would now like to bring my contribution to the next level by offering my service as chair of the MC North America chapter.
Iryna Mykhailova
I am a scholar of Renaissance philosophy from Ukraine. For many years, I have been mainly focusing on my research projects, but, at the same time, I have always perceived community service as an important and very beneficial part of my professional activities. In different years, I served as a reviewer of the Fulbright applications in Ukraine, a trainer in the British Council project for the professional development of the Ukrainian scholars, and a mentor in the Connect Ukrainians initiative to guide Ukrainian students in their pursuit for higher education abroad. In April 2023, I took a role of the MCAA East American Chapter coordinator. I am currently based in Boston, and as a member of the Chapter Board of Directors (BoD), I have already organized a few informal gatherings with different Fellows and Alumni to mobilize the community. As a Chair of the North America Chapter, I would have more instruments to impact our amazing MCAA community, which I am happy and proud to be a member of. I plan, among others, to strengthen particular roles of the MCAA, such as, among others, advocacy of the fellows and networking.
Sushil Mishra
Hi all! I'm Sushil Mishra, an MSCA fellow from 2018-2020 in Ireland, with research experience spanning India, Czech Republic, Sweden, Germany, Austria, Scotland, Japan, Ireland, and now the USA. I have personally experienced the transformative power of diverse perspectives and recognize the importance of networking organizations for individuals from diverse backgrounds.
I am running for the North America Chapter Chair position, aiming to bring more MSCA alumni, particularly from the industry, into our group. Having previously served as the Chair of the Ireland Chapter, I successfully revitalized the MCAA and initiated various local meetings and social events in Ireland.
My primary goal is to enhance networking opportunities for members, ultimately improving their chances of securing stable and well-paid employment in the USA. Through organizing industry-specific events, workshops, and mentorship programs, I aim to establish a supportive community where valuable connections can be made.
I will support our members by hosting career development workshops, facilitating job-sharing, and fostering partnerships with industry. I also aim to form partnerships with businesses, raise funds for member travel to MCAA events, and offer travel/career awards.
With your support, we can grow as a thriving community that empowers alumni to succeed professionally.
Milad AsgarpourKhansary
My MSCA postdoc spent in Ireland (2019-2022) at the University of Limerick and Innopharma LTD. We published in PNAS :).
I have the experience of working across cultures and diversities.
My past work span over countries: China, Hong Kong, Russia, Germany, Ireland and Canada.
(I've been in Armenia, Turkey, Macao and Iran too).
Last July, we held a proposal writing workshop for MSCA fellowships here at UBC. Learnt it's much better to do during the academic year :D.
I am very aware of how networking helps this role and how challenging communicating with a multidisciplinary team/community would be. I guess I already have that (?)
Please drop by my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/makhansary/
I'm always happy to help out.