| Dear Postdoctoral Community,
Last week, our Nashville community experienced a tragedy that has impacted us all. We continue to hold the families of the victims of The Covenant School in our hearts.
It is difficult to move on from tragedy when many of our community have connections to The Covenant School. All of us are struggling with the senselessness of these deaths. Further, many of us are parents and may be facing anxiety regarding the safety of our own children following this event. We have listed resources for the University and Medical Center communities below. I encourage you to check in with your colleagues and reach out for additional support if needed.
We are thankful to our colleagues at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the other first responders involved. The impacts of this tragedy will be felt for a long time. Please know we are here to support you.
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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Health and Wellness ResourcesVanderbilt University
Lyra Health - Mental health provider and support for behavioral and mental health needs
Virgin Pulse - Wellness platform that encourages behavioral change through completing a Health Risk Assessment and participating in team challenges
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Work/Life Connections - Provides psychological support and promotes problem-solving and stress resilience through counseling, coaching, and consultation.
Health Plus - Supports employees in recognizing their health risks and providing education and programming to reduce those risks
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Office of Postdoctoral AffairsNow on Socials!
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Join Us: Annual Postdoc Awards on May 23
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Scientist in the Classroom - Applications Now Open
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Applications are now open for established postdocs to apply to the Scientist in the Classroom Partnership program. This program is a wonderful opportunity for scientists, engineers, and other STEM professionals that are interested in engaging local middle school teachers and students in weekly hands-on experiments. Selected fellows are partnered with a MNPS teacher to co-teach science lessons and conduct experiments one day each week during the school year. It’s a great way to gain teaching experience and build connection with the next generation of citizens and future scientists. A monthly stipend for the fellow’s time is awarded.
More information and the digital application can be found on the CSEO website.
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Diversity Statement Workshop with Center for Teaching
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NIH Request for Information on Postdoctoral Research Training and Career Progression
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) seeks information from extramural research community members regarding the current state of postdoctoral research training and career progression within the biomedical research enterprise. NIH is particularly interested in understanding the perspective and experience of recent and current postdoctoral trainees, postdoctoral office leaders, as well as graduate students considering becoming postdoctoral trainees within the academic sector. To learn more about this opportunity and to submit information, please visit their website here.
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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:
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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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| The Margaret Cuninggim Women's Center is an on-campus office and resource to help celebrate and empower women in both their professional and personal aspirations, helping to boast their overall lives as they navigate through their time at Vanderbilt University. You can read more about the Women's Center on their website and by attending some of their upcoming events below! Please note RSVP's are required.
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Postdoc Spotlight: Bhawik Jain, Ph.D.
Bhawik Jain is a postdoc in the Graham lab at VU working on lipids and their interaction within celluar membranes to better understand how the membrane directs their function. Read more about Dr. Jain from his childhood in India to his current work at Vanderbilt in our April postdoc feature here.
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Save the Date! 2023 Postdoc Symposium
The 2023 Postdoc Symposium will take place on Friday, November 17 in the Student Life Center. Look out for more information as we get closer to the event.
For more information on past symposia, please visit the VPA website.
Get involved by joining the Symposium Planning Committee.
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National Postdoc Association
NPA SmartSkills: Unconscious Bias and Beyond
Biases and barriers at an interpersonal and systemic level impacts an individual's growth, successful interactions between teams, and mismatch in expectations. In this talk we will discuss the impact of compounding barriers, including unconscious bias, that affect the culture of science, society and innovation. Register here for the April 25 virtual course.
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The Professional Photobooth presented by The Career Center
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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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Employee Affinity Groups
Employee Affinity Groups (EAGs) are open to all Vanderbilt employees, regardless of identity. Staff, faculty, and postdoctoral scholars who identify as part of or have a close affinity to these groups are encouraged to attend. You can learn more about which group you identify most with from our options below:
Association of Vanderbilt Black Faculty and Staff (AVBFS)
Women & Working Moms
To learn more about Employee Affinity Groups or to join, visit the EAG website.
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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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