September 15-19, 2025, is National Postdoc Appreciation Week. Since 2009, the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) has sponsored this annual celebration to recognize the significant contributions that postdoctoral scholars make to research and scientific discovery. Check out the NPA website to view the virtual and in-person events being held this week. 

This week, BPS will be highlighting postdoc members on the blog. Today, read about Claire Stewart, Stanford University.

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Background & Inspiration 

1. Can you tell us a little about your background and what brought you to your current postdoc position? 

My scientific journey started as an undergraduate pursuing various research opportunities at my undergraduate university and as a summer intern at other institutions. Through experiencing different research of science, I found what topic I enjoyed most. As a graduate student, I joined the lab of Dr. Gary Pielak where I quantified the effects of polymers on protein stability. For my postdoc, I looked to address more questions about the physical conformation of proteins. To achieve this, I joined the lab of Dr. Naima Sharaf, where I could learn structural biology techniques.  

2. What inspired you to pursue research in your field? 

My inspiration to pursue this field of science is the culmination of many things, but the greatest of them is my fascination with how proteins work and how alterations in their function can cause such a significant impact. I am driven to uncover the processes they are involved in so that knowledge can be used for future applications. 

Daily Work & Routine 

3. What does a typical day look like for you as a postdoc? 

While the specifics of lab work vary from day-to-day, my routine as a postdoc usually starts with checking emails, catching up on literature, and making a list of things I want to do that day. Following this, I make sure to check in with the students I mentor to offer guidance and help with troubleshooting roadblocks in their projects. The core of my day is spent doing bench work like protein purification and later characterization using biochemical and biophysical techniques. As my day winds down, I shift towards work on the computer like data analysis and dedicating time to writing.  

4. Do you have a favorite part of your daily routine—or a task you look forward to most? 

My favorite part of my day is analyzing new results. It is the most exciting thing to see if experiment works and decide the next steps of a project.  

5. What’s one part of your day that people might find surprising or unexpected? 

One part of my day that people might find surprising is my approach to making figures. As soon as I get new data, I like to add it to a draft of figures for publication. I genuinely enjoy the process of adding new panels and unifying the narrative as the project evolves. Seeing the data put together this way helps me conceptualize the overall story of my project. 

Research & Impact 

6. Can you briefly describe your research project and why it matters? 

My project in the Sharaf Lab focuses on characterizing bacterial lipoproteins from the Lyme disease causing spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. This bacterium relies on nutrient scavenging from a host for survival and has a cellular envelope of over 100 proteins involved in different processes. Unfortunately, many of these proteins are not fully characterized. Since Lyme disease is one of the most common vector-borne illnesses, building a better understanding of its processes will set the groundwork for combating it. 

7. What’s the most exciting discovery or moment you’ve had during your postdoc so far? 

My most exciting moment was making protein crystals. It took a month or so for one of my proteins to crystallize, but when it did (as well as when it diffracted) was one of the most thrilling experiences ever.  

Personal Touch 

8. How do you balance life in the lab with life outside of it? 

Having a good work-life balance is a challenge that I struggled with as a graduate student. Since science can be so exciting that it makes you want to keep going, I find it hard to stop. As a postdoc, I found that scheduling time to take outside of lab and setting time to end my workday are helpful in balancing life in and out of lab.  

9. What hobbies or activities help you recharge after work? 

I find cooking or baking to be a nice way to unwind after a day at work. I also like to recharge by spending time with friends and family or indulging in my favorite hobbies of reading, knitting, or crocheting. 

10. Any fun lab quirks? 

Listening to podcasts or audiobooks when I’m analyzing data is something I always go to. Also, I love to have colorful lab supplies around. Whether it be a set of gel pens or a rainbow mix of Eppendorf tubes, the pop of color around my workspace makes everything a bit more cheerful.  

Advice & Future 

11. What advice would you give to someone just starting a postdoc? 

My biggest piece of advice would be to enjoy your time as a postdoc because it goes by so quickly. To me, a postdoc is a great time to explore new research topics. I would also say to build your network and seek out mentorship from other faculty, senior postdocs, and even people outside of academia. The input and help I received from my network are some of the most valuable to me. 

12. Where do you see yourself heading next in your career? 

Because of my love for mentoring and desire to lead my own research group, I see myself heading to a faculty position after my postdoc. I envision myself leading a lab focused on characterizing disease-associated proteins and studying their dynamics.