Dr. Karen Peterson receives National Postdoctoral Association Distinguished Service Award

For nearly 25 years, Karen Peterson, PhD, the director of the Office of Scientific Career Development (OSCD) at Fred Hutch Cancer Center, has supported the career and professional development of postdoctoral researchers — at Fred Hutch, locally and nationally. At the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) annual conference Friday, Peterson received the NPA Distinguished Service Award in recognition of her profound, sustained contributions to improving the postdoctoral experience.

This distinguished award recognizes the countless ways Peterson has supported postdocs, including facilitating training and professional-development opportunities, supporting conflict resolution, advocating for benefits, and maintaining a steadfast commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

OSCD Senior Program Manager Amber Ismael, PhD, organized the nomination. Ismael said that Peterson’s colleagues at Fred Hutch, collaborators from the University of Washington, postdoctoral program alumni and current postdocs were quick to contact her about contributing their statements in support of Peterson. The numerous supporting statements Ismael received are evidence of the positive impact Peterson has had on postdocs and colleagues throughout her career.

An advocate for postdoctoral researchers

In addition to being the OSCD director, Peterson is Fred Hutch’s scientific ombudsman, an impartial resource to assist scientific staff in resolving problems, complaints, conflicts and other issues in a confidential, equitable, just and timely manner. Her 15 years of ombuds experience has helped ensure postocs can resolve any issues that arise and maximize their time to focus on research.

Peterson has advocated for postdocs on a variety of issues that affect their work and wellbeing. She established a childcare subsidy program, advocated for parity in benefits between postdocs on fellowship and those paid on grants and ensured a generous termination policy that includes six months' notice of termination to protect international postdocs, giving them time to secure their next position without worrying about visa issues. During the pandemic, Peterson worked with SPAC to present concerns about parking and mental health to leadership, which resulted in the extension of free parking for postdocs when many did not feel safe using public transportation and increased access to mental health services through Fred Hutch’s Employee Assistance Program. 

A commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion

In all her professional development and advocacy work for postdocs, Peterson is attentive to ensuring Fred Hutch's programs are inclusive and accessible. She supported postdocs and graduate students in founding Hutch United, a group which promotes the success and retention of underrepresented scientists at Fred Hutch. She also established the Fred Hutch Minoritized Postdoc Advisory Group and was instrumental in Fred Hutch joining the President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program aimed at mentoring diverse postdocs to secure faculty positions. 

To support efforts in recruiting diverse postdocs, Peterson initiated and spearheaded a collaboration with Fred Hutch, Seattle Children’s and UW to collaborate on a virtual recruitment day. In May, Fred Hutch will host its first virtual Diverse Research Opportunities for Postdocs event to highlight biomedical research opportunities in Seattle.