Fellow Interviews
May 8, 2025(Updated: May 7, 2025) • 5 min read

Postdoc Advice from Dr. Anik Tuladhar, AbbVie Research Fellow in Toxicology

A group of approximately 22 volunteers poses indoors at Bernie’s Book Club, a community organization dedicated to distributing books to underprivileged children. The group stands and kneels in front of a wall with metallic letters that spell out 'THANK YOU,' above shelves filled with green book bins and silver nameplates. Everyone is casually dressed and wearing name tags or ID badges, smiling warmly at the camera. Postdoc Fellow Dr. Anik Tuladhar, fifth from the left, stands with his hands folded, wearing a plaid shirt and jeans. Two women kneel in the front row, while the rest of the group stands in a semicircle. The setting features polished concrete floors with faint wet footprints and a large window to the left, through which an American flag and warehouse shelving are visible. The atmosphere suggests teamwork, service, and shared purpose in a bright, welcoming volunteer space.
Dr. Anik Tuladhar, fifth from the left, volunteered at Bernie’s Book Club, sorting and donating books for underprivileged children. This activity was among various service initiatives he participated in during graduate school.

Postdoctoral fellowships are critical stepping stones for early-career researchers. But unlike graduate school admissions, there is no centralized process, defined timeline, or single path to getting one. Every postdoc journey looks different. For Dr. Anik Tuladhar, that journey began in Nepal as a dental surgeon and evolved into a passion for cellular biology and translational research. His story illustrates not only a successful transition into biomedical science but also offers valuable insights on how to secure a competitive postdoc in industry. Now a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at AbbVie, Dr. Tuladhar shares how he turned curiosity into impact.

Can you share a little about your background? What led you to attend graduate school?

I began my academic journey in Nepal, where I completed my undergraduate degree in Dental Surgery (B.D.S.) from Tribhuvan University. My fascination with biology and health sciences started early, but during my time as a dental surgeon and lecturer, I realized that my real passion lay in understanding disease mechanisms at a deeper, cellular level. This curiosity, particularly around how cells respond to mechanical stress and injury, drove me to pursue graduate education. I wanted to transition into biomedical research to help advance therapies that can one day directly improve patients’ lives. That’s what led me to Augusta University for a Ph.D. in Cellular Biology and Anatomy.

Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Anik Tuladhar, second from the right, stands on a stage receiving the Young Investigator Award at the 2022 ASBMR (American Society for Bone and Mineral Research) annual meeting. He is smiling and dressed in a dark suit with a white shirt and tie, holding a glass award alongside another man in a blue suit and light blue tie. They are both standing within a blue taped square on the stage, likely designated for photo ops. To the left, a wooden podium bears the ASBMR 2022 logo. Behind them, several individuals stand near the podium, including a man with gray hair in a gray blazer, another man in a dark suit at the microphone, and a woman in a black and white striped top. The backdrop is a plain off-white wall with a modern glass light fixture casting a decorative glow. The atmosphere is formal and celebratory, capturing a proud professional milestone in an academic or research career.
Dr. Anik Tuladhar, second from the right, receiving the Young Investigator Award at the ASBMR (American Society for Bone and Mineral Research) in 2022.

In graduate school, you studied Cellular Biology! Can you give us an overview of your time as a PhD student?

My Ph.D. focused on osteocytes: the primary mechanosensory cells in bone. I was fascinated by how these cells respond to physical stress, injury, and disuse. One major project looked at how the synthetic compound Poloxamer-188 could repair osteocyte membrane damage caused by mechanical loading. I used in vivo mouse models and a variety of imaging and molecular techniques to study membrane repair, cell survival, and changes in bone mineral density.

Graduate school was intense but incredibly rewarding. Beyond research, I mentored students, presented at national conferences, and even helped troubleshoot new cell culture systems to simulate microgravity. I faced the usual hurdles, failed experiments, and grant rejections, but those setbacks helped me grow more resilient and resourceful. I also formed strong friendships that supported me through the long nights in the lab.

Since postdoc applications do not follow a centralized process like grad school admissions, can you explain how you secured your current position?

Postdoc searches are less structured. I started looking about six months before graduation. I networked extensively, reached out to past conference contacts, and used platforms like LinkedIn to find openings. I found the postdoctoral position at AbbVie through a fellowship listing and applied directly.

The process involved submitting a resume and interviewing with multiple team members. It was more industry-oriented than academic interviews, focusing not just on my science but also on how I would fit in cross-functional teams. I officially began at AbbVie a month after defending my dissertation.

Dr. Anik Tuladhar stands at the center of the image, smiling in front of a black-and-white scientific research poster at the ASPET (American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics) conference. The poster is titled 'Assessment and Impact of Bone Toxicity in Drug Development' and outlines the study's objective, methods, and conclusions. Dr. Tuladhar is wearing a light gray button-up shirt, black trousers, and a name badge clipped to his chest pocket. He is flanked by two colleagues, on the left, a man in a multicolored plaid shirt, gray pants, and brown shoes, and on the right, a woman in a gray blazer, white Nike sneakers, and glasses, also smiling. The event is taking place in a well-lit, carpeted conference room with overhead fluorescent lighting, visible monitors, and wooden workstations in the background. The atmosphere is professional and collegial.
Dr. Tuladhar, center, at the ASPET (American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics) conference, presenting his work on the development of skeletal toxicological assessment tools.

As a postdoc fellow at AbbVie since 2024, can you tell us about your position? What are your current responsibilities?

At AbbVie, I work in the Preclinical Safety group, focusing on bone and joint toxicity assessment. My day-to-day involves in vivo animal studies, tissue analysis using special stains and immunohistochemistry, micro-CT imaging, and developing cell-based assays. I’m particularly excited about our work translating animal model findings to human disease contexts through advanced imaging and biomarker validation.

AbbVie also places strong emphasis on training. I’ve had access to workshops, seminars, and cross-department collaborations that have expanded my expertise in drug safety and translational science. It’s a unique environment that blends rigorous research with real-world applications, and I love it.

Finally, can you share any advice and tips about applying for postdocs?

First, start early and treat your search like a research project. Tailor each application, keep track of deadlines, and follow up respectfully. Second, don’t underestimate the power of networking. Conversations at conferences and virtual events can open unexpected doors.

As an international student, visa and funding complexities added extra pressure. I often questioned whether I belonged, especially after early rejections. But each “no” brought clarity and direction. I’d say to my younger self: be patient, trust your instincts, and don’t be afraid to reach out for mentorship. And finally, pick a lab and mentor that values you as a whole person, not just a researcher.

Be sure to check out the ProFellow database for various postdoctoral fellowships you can apply for! Create an account today and start bookmarking your favorites!

Anik HSAnik Tuladhar is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at AbbVie in the Department of Investigative Toxicology and Pathology, where he focuses on bone biology and preclinical safety studies. He earned his Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences (Cellular Biology and Anatomy) from Augusta University in 2024, where he investigated osteocyte membrane biology, drug delivery, and mechanical loading in mouse models. Originally from Nepal, he completed his Bachelor of Dental Surgery at Tribhuvan University. Anik’s research integrates imaging, in vivo studies, and histopathology, and he is passionate about translational science that bridges basic research and therapeutic innovation.

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