STEM graduate students go through various stages in their development as researchers. Specifically, Ph.D. students are expected to complete coursework, work on their research, help with projects in the lab they are working in, maintain equipment, mentor other researchers, and fulfill departmental requirements. In this dissertation, I have explored three different aspects of a Ph.D. After joining a Ph.D. program, a student must first transition into the department, find a research lab and settle into a new city or country if they have moved geographically. I studied the transition experiences of South Asian international students in life science doctoral programs in the United States. Then, a student has to work on their research to make discoveries and develop their research expertise. I accomplished this by studying xenobiotic detoxification in "C. elegans," focusing on 1-hydroxyphenazine (1-HP) detoxification. Finally, students can solidify and share their knowledge and develop their mentoring skills by mentoring junior researchers. I describe this process in my chapter on postgraduate perspectives on mentoring undergraduate researchers serves that purpose. Altogether, this dissertation outlines postgraduate researchers' career development while providing insights into detoxification in "C. elegans." [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]