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Dear Postdoctoral Community,
Thank you to everyone for making the annual spring postdoctoral awards ceremony a success. It was wonderful to see everyone come together to celebrate the accomplishments of the postdoc community. Congratulations to all our award recipients!
Looking ahead, I encourage you to consider getting involved in the Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association (VPA) by submitting a nomination to be a member of the Executive Board. This opportunity is valuable in shaping postdoc programming, advocating for your peers, and building community. We encourage self-nominations, and postdocs at any stage of training are eligible to apply. Details about open positions and the nomination process are included below.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if I can be of assistance.
Best,
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C. André Christie-Mizell
Vice Provost for Graduate Education
Director, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
Dean of the Graduate School
Centennial Professor of Sociology
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2025-2026 VPA Executive Board Nominations Open
The Executive Board helps to promote scholarly learning, social activities, and postdoc advocacy. This is an excellent opportunity to get involved in the postdoc community and enact any changes you would like to see in postdoc culture on campus. Self-nominations are welcomed and encouraged. Postdocs with any number of years of experience are encouraged to apply.
Available positions are:
- President
- Vice President
- Scholarly Advancement Chairs (1-2 positions*)
- Community Building Chairs (1-2 positions*)
- Postdoc Advocacy and EDI Chairs (1-2 positions*)
- Career Development Chairs (1-2 positions*)
More information on the VPA can be found on their website. Information on the purpose and function of the VPA and each elected position can be found in the VPA Bylaws.
This year’s ballot will also include a vote on a proposed bylaws change. Committee co-chair elections will be held twice a year—in November and May. The 12-month term remains the same. This staggered structure ensures that there is one experienced co-chair in place to support continuity and facilitate effective knowledge transfer.
*If this change passes, the nominee with the most votes for each committee chair position will be elected with one current committee co-chair remaining through December.
Nominations are open through Friday, June 13 with voting to follow. Elected members will attend the July VPA Executive board and take over thereafter.
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| | The 2025 Postdoctoral Awards
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| Congratulations to all of our 2025 Postdoctoral Award Recipients!
Watch the full ceremony here.
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| | Symposium in Honor of Dr. David H. Wasserman
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Please join the Vanderbilt School of Medicine as they honor the life of Dr. Wasserman and celebrate his accomplishments and lasting legacy. The symposium will feature speakers in metabolism research, including former trainees and collaborators, who will present their scientific work and highlight the impact he had on them. The symposium will be held on Friday, June 13, 2025, in the Student Life Center from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., followed by a light reception from 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
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NIH Summer Course: Clinical & Translational ResearchJuly 7-11, 2025
The NIH is offering a free Introduction to the Principles and Practice of Clinical Research (IPPCR) course this summer! This free, online program provides an overview of the fundamentals of clinical research to demonstrate the role of PhD scientists in clinical and translational research, provide an overview and examples of how basic science and clinical observations lead to translational research, and increase awareness and access to PhD role models, research resources, and potential career opportunities at the NIH. This course provides an opporunity for didactic learning through lectures, discussions, and small group activities. The course also provides an opportunity to learn more about the unique resources available at the NIH, to meet with researchers and program administrators, and to learn more about potential career opportunities at the NIH.
Core Topics:
- Study Design (Statistics and Critical Review)
- Protocol Development and Implementation
- Scientific and Ethical Review of Research
- Special Topics in Training and Research Opportunities
- Medical Product Development and FDA Regulations
- Implementing Lessons Learned
Eligibility Requirements:
- Received a Ph.D. in a basic science program
- Currently appointed to a basic research position at a U.S. institution
- Not previously awarded a clinical degree (e.g., MD, DO, PharmD, DVM, DNP), or currently enrolled in a clinical degree program
- No significant clinical research experience (e.g., principal investigator of a clinical research study, previously completed a clinical research course)
- Have supervisor's approval to participate in the course
Registration is now open. Learn more and sign up here!
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The VPA is looking for current Vanderbilt Postdocs to serve as mentors for their new Postdoc BuddyProgram!
The goal of this program is to systematically match new, incoming postdocs with current Vandy postdocs based on multiple factors that the buddies deem fruitful for a match to help build a supportive, welcoming community! As a current postdoc, your insight about Nashville and Vanderbilt will serve as a key resource to those who are transitioning into new positions. Remember that one hour of support/advice from a peer is worth more than 100s of pages of Word documents with lists of resources!
This is an excellent way to gain mentorship and academic leadership experience. We encourage our buddies to meet at least once during the new postdoc’s transition to Vanderbilt (virtually or in-person at one of the VPA sponsored events!). Otherwise, the mentor buddy will serve as a point of contact for incoming postdocs for any informal questions, advice, and support! The VPA will check in with mentor buddies each quarter to give volunteers the opportunity to recommit to an additional semester.
To get started, please complete this quick survey located here.
The VPA team will notify you as soon as possible, when you have been matched with an incoming postdoc!
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Graduate and Postdoc Academic SuccessThe Graduate & Postdoc Academic Success (GPAS) are here to support graduate students and postdocs with anything that keeps them from doing their best academic work. They provide strategies to address concerns around progress and productivity, as well as, navigating academic relationships. They address your needs through 1-on-1 consultations and success planning sessions. Additionally, both of their staff members are Gallup-Certified Strength Coaches and able to give you access to the CliftonStrengths Assessment to help you accomplish your best work utilizing an authentic approach to who you are and how you show up. If you are interested in meeting with one of the staff members, you can schedule an appointment here. If you ever feel like you are “stuck” in your writing and/or research, we hope that you will reach out and connect with them.
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| | Effective Mentoring Strategies for Postdocs
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Postdocs, sharpen your supervision and leadership skills by encouraging by attending the Effective Mentoring Strategies for Postdocs workshop this summer!
This interactive session, led by the Graduate & Postdoc Academic Success Office, will equip postdocs with practical tools to mentor with clarity and confidence—skills that are essential both now and into your academic futures.
This interactive session will help you build foundational skills in:
✅ Following Up & Following Through
📝 Creating Compacts & IDPs
👂 Listening with Intent
🎯 Aligning Expectations
Choose the session that fits best with your schedule:
📅 Tuesday, June 24 | 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
📅 Wednesday, July 16 | 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
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| | Summer 2025: Weekly "Co-Working" Sessions
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The GPAS staff will also be offering weekly 'co-working' sessions through the summer on Tuesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Alumni Hall Graduate Student & Postdoc Lounge (Room 100) for anyone to come by and work alongside them. This time can be used for writing, planning or other academic projects. Stacey or Nick will be there to discuss any goals setting or accountability questionsdd you may have. If you are looking for a quiet space to work on projects in the company of colleagues, this is the place to stop in. They will also provide free coffee (and sometimes snacks)! See you there!
No registration required.
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BRET Office of Career Development ASPIRE Program The BRET Office Career Development ASPIRE Program provides career and professional development services and enrichment activities for PhD students and postdoctoral fellows in the biomedical sciences at VU and VUMC.
Upcoming Events Hosted by the BRET Office of Career Development:
CV/Resume Drop-In Clinic:
Tuesday, June 3 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Light Hall 340
Tuesday, June 17 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Light Hall 340
Tuesday, June 24 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Light Hall 340
Tuesday, July 1 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Light Hall 340
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| | Connect with the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)
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| | Connect with the Vanderbilt Postdoc Association (VPA)
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| Postdoc Spotlight: Clara Wilch, Ph.D.
Clara is a postdoc in the Collaborative Humanities Postdoctoral Program at Vanderbilt within the department of Communication of Science & Technology. She earned her Ph.D. in Theatre and Performance Studies, where her research brought together the arts, environmental studies, and critical theory. Her interdisciplinary work explores how artistic and philosophical approaches can illuminate climate change and environmental injustice. Clara's current book project focuses on performance and ecological relationships in the Canadian Arctic, particularly in Nunavut. Originally from Tucson, AZ, Clara draws on a background in biology, professional theatre, and public engagement to investigate how regional, cultural, and environmental narratives shape human relationships to place. At Vanderbilt, Clara has contributed to initiatives including the Eco-Grief Initiative and the Vanderbilt Museum of Art’s …no footprints, even. exhibition, and collaborates with the Climate and Environmental Studies Program and the English Department to support creative and interdisciplinary approaches to climate communication. Read more about her work in our June postdoc feature here.
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SAVE THE DATE! VPA 2025 Symposium
Mark it in your calendars! This year, the Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association's Symposium will be held in the Student Life Center on Tuesday, October 14.
The VPA is excited to announce that Dr. Jules White, Professor of Computer Science and Senior Advisor to the Chancellor for Generative AI in Education and Enterprise Solutions will be the 2025 Keynote Speaker.
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| The Career Center is proud to present their free, self-service photo booth. Just step inside, pose, and share!
Located in the Student Life Center, this resource is free and available to the entire Vanderbilt community. The photo booth is available for use anytime the Student Life Center is open. Check out this flyer for more details!
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| Holy Days CalendarAs a reminder, the Vanderbilt Holy Days Calendar provides a broad list of major holy days throughout the year and includes recommended accommodations for community members observing each holy day. For more information, please read the communication here.
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National Postdoc Association
NPA SmartSkills: How to Set and Achieve Financial Goals as a Postdoc
In this session, the NPA will host a webinar discussing how having any savings rate when living on a postdoc salary is a huge financial accomplishment. Postdocs are eager to make the best use of that limited flow of money — but you might be stuck in analysis paralysis. Should you save up cash? Should you pay down debt (even student loans)? Should you invest—and is that possible for postdocs who aren't employees or international postdocs? During this workshop, you will apply an eight-step framework to your own individual finances to identify your next singular financial goal. Register here for the June 24 virtual course.
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| Join VPA Slack Channel!
The VPA has revamped the VandyPostdocs Slack channel to foster a vibrant postdoctoral community, with dedicated channels for all general announcements, calendar events for all postdoc-related activities, job postings, social events (both formal and informal), and discussion about anything and everything!
*Must re-signup even if you have previously signed into the former Slack because this is a brand new channel!
How to sign into VandyPostdocs Slack:
- Visit the Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Associatiion website.
- Click the link at the bottom (vandypostdocs.slack.com).
- Sign up with your VU or VUMC email.
- Launch Slack in your browser or download the app.
Then you should be all set! Feel free to post a message in any of the channels or request to start a new channel based on an interest you may have.
Important Note:
Must be signed in with VU/VUMC email to access VandyPostdocs Slack workspace.
Explore the VandyPostdocs Slack Channel today and connect with your fellow postdocs. For any assistance, contact the OPA (opa@vanderbilt.edu) or the VPA Community Building Co-Chairs (alicia.cronin@vumc.org or ilkin.safa@vumc.org). Let's build a stronger, more connected postdoc community together!
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| Nature Masterclass
Nature Masterclasses are developed by Nature Research and provide professional development training for researchers by drawing on the expertise of Nature Research journal editors and experts. Faculty, staff, postdocs, and students of Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center are free to sign up at https://masterclasses.nature.com/.
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