Dear Scholars,

Last month, we had the privilege of celebrating National Postdoc Appreciation Week. This year’s activities were especially meaningful as we marked the 150th anniversary of the U.S. postdoc and recognized the lasting impact postdocs have made on research and discovery. 

Throughout the week, faculty, staff, and postdocs were invited to participate in a variety of events and connect with colleagues across the university. Programming included complimentary headshots, an annual postdoc family picnic, and a Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association social, among others. 

We are grateful to the postdoctoral scholars who contribute to Vanderbilt’s research community through their research, scholarship, teaching, and hard work. Our gratitude extends to you—our connected network of former postdocs—for your continued impact and support. Thank you! 

Finally, I am pleased to share that Faith Bishop is now Director, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and Special Projects Director for Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Training. Annie Evans will continue to serve as Program and Communications Manager. Faith serving as Director will allow both current and former Vanderbilt postdocs to have a more direct point of contact on our team, and I am confident that she will continue to ensure excellence in our support for the postdoctoral community. 

Sincerely,

Elizabeth J. Zechmeister
Vice Provost for Graduate Education & Growth Initiatives
Dean of the Graduate School
Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Political Science

National Postdoc Appreciation Week was a wonderful opportunity to recognize Vanderbilt’s postdoctoral community and the many contributions postdocs make across our research and academic community. Throughout the week, we brought postdocs together for an ice cream social, our annual family picnic, a Farmers’ Market pop-up featuring giveaways and a surprise postdoc pin drop, and the Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association’s Speak Easy event with free T-shirts, pizza, drinks, and plenty of opportunities to connect.

This year’s celebration was especially meaningful as we marked 150 years of the postdoctoral position in the United States. As we celebrated today’s postdocs, we also reflected on the many researchers who have been part of Vanderbilt’s postdoctoral community over the years, including you. Thank you for being part of that history and for continuing to be part of the Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Network: Global Connections!

2026 marks 150 years of the postdoctoral position in the United States, celebrating a century and a half of research, discovery, mentorship, and the scholars who have helped shape the postdoctoral experience.

As part of this milestone, we are collecting “Stories of Impact” from current and former postdocs. These stories offer an opportunity to reflect on the people, experiences, discoveries, and moments that have made a lasting impact throughout the history of postdoctoral training.

As a member of Vanderbilt’s former postdoc community, your story is part of that history. Consider sharing a story about your postdoctoral experience and the impact it has had on your career, research, mentorship, or life beyond Vanderbilt.

Selected stories will be shared as part of the 20th Annual Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association Symposium on November 4, giving our current postdoctoral community an opportunity to hear from those who came before them and learn more about the many paths a postdoctoral experience can take.

Your story is part of Vanderbilt’s postdoctoral history, and we’d love to hear it.

Do you want to stay involved? Complete the below link with your new or updated information. This will help connect you to current Vanderbilt postdocs and make sure that the OPA has the best contact and your latest position. 

Our goal is to create a database of Vanderbilt postdocs past and present to support each other. Opt-in to have your information included.

Finally, we will be sending regular emails to stay engaged and keep you updated with the latest postdoc news and initiatives at Vanderbilt. 

You can find out more information on the Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Network - Global Connections on our website.

The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA), established in 2017, is responsible for planning and managing programs and services for Vanderbilt's postdoctoral community. OPA supports Vanderbilt-affiliated postdocs as well as faculty and staff administrators who work with the postdoctoral population. OPA is the central resource for postdoctoral services and serves as a liaison among postdocs and central university and medical center administrative offices. OPA also works closely with the Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association (VPA) to address the interests and concerns of postdocs.