|
Dear Postdoctoral Community,
As the fall semester approaches, I am excited to share a variety of upcoming events and opportunities provided below in this month’s newsletter.
Please join me in giving a warm welcome to the newly elected 2025–2026 VPA Executive Committee. You can learn more about each member below and on the OPA website.
In recognition of your valuable contributions to the Vanderbilt community, the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) is excited to celebrate National Postdoc Appreciation Week September 15–19. Please plan to attend one or more of the many upcoming events , including the Annual Postdoc Family Picnic, the Postdoc Appreciation Breakfast, or participating in the complimentary professional headshot offered through OPA.
Finally, in collaboration with the Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association (VPA), registration is now open for the19th Annual VPA Symposium, which will be held on Tuesday, October 14.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if I can be of assistance.
Best,
| |
|
C. André Christie-Mizell
Vice Provost for Graduate Education
Director, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
Dean of the Graduate School
Centennial Professor of Sociology
| |
| National Postdoc Appreciation Week
September 15-19, 2025
National Postdoc Appreciation Week is a time to celebrate the successes and accomplishments of the postdoc community. There will be many activities throughout the week including our annual picnic.
Postdoc Appreciation Week Kick-Off at Vanderbilt Women's Soccer
Friday, September 12 | 7:00 p.m. | Vanderbilt Soccer Complex
Kick off NPAW by cheering on the Vanderbilt Women's Soccer Team. We will meet outside the stadium and walk in together at 6:45. Free game entry and families welcome! RSVPs encouraged, but not required.
Postdoc Appreciation Breakfast
Monday, September 15 | 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. | Location: TBA
Start your week with a hot breakfast on us! RSVP here.
Complimentary Professional Headshots for Postdocs
Tuesday, September 16 | 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Alumni Hall 202
Reserve your headshot time here.
Annual Postdoc Family Picnic
Tuesday, September 16 | 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | Fannie Mae Dees Park
RSVPs Required!
Morning Mentoring Roundtable with GPAS
Wednesday, September 17 | 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. | Location: TBA
Light refreshements will be served.
RSVP Here!
Free Cookies with the BRET Office
Wednesday, September 17 | 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Light Hall North Lobby
Complimentary Professional Headshots for Postdocs
Wednesday, September 17 | 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Alumni Hall 202
Reserve your headshot time here.
OPA at the Farmer's Market
Thursday, September 18 | 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Medical Center Plaza
Stop by our table at the farmer's market!
VPA 'SpeakEasy' Talk Series
Thursday, September 18 | 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. | 100 Alumni Lounge
RSVP Here!
More events are being planned! Keep an eye on our September newsletter for more ways to get involved and added events! For up to date information on events, please visit our website.
| |
|
2025-2026 VPA Executive Board
Thank you for taking the time to nominate and vote for your Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association Executive Board!
The VPA Executive Board for 2025-2026 is:
President: Ronald McMillan
Vice President: Heather Hartmann
Community Building Co-Chairs: Alicia Cronin & Milene Fontes
Postdoc Advocacy Co-Chairs: Hiren Dandia & Pooja Mina
Scholarly Advancement Co-Chairs: Ashima Chopra & Rachel Spicer
Career Development Co-Chairs: Mohd Khan & Charlotte Sappo
The bylaw changes passed stating that the 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.
| |
|
Fall 2025: Becoming A Resilient Scientist SeriesThe NIH OITE is pleased to offer both Resilient Scientist Series this fall. Trainees and fellows at all levels will have the opportunity to develop skills needed to thrive in research and healthcare careers. Faculty and staff will be supported in mentoring trainees in the biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences.
For students, trainees and fellows at all levels, we offer the BECOMING A RESILIENT SCIENTIST Series. There are five units in the series. Each includes a lecture followed by a facilitated small group discussion allowing trainees to share their experiences and learn from peers. Each lecture will run from 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET followed by 30 minutes of Q&A. To register and to learn more information, please visit our webpage.
- Unit 1. An Introduction to Resilience and Wellness (9/29/25)
- Unit 2. Exploring our Self-Talk: Cognitive Distortions and Imposter Fears (10/20/25)
- Unit 3. Self-Advocacy and Assertiveness for Scientists (11/3/25)
- Unit 4. Developing Feedback Resilience (11/10/25)
- Unit 5. Managing Up to Maximize Mentoring Relationships (11/24/25)
Note: There will be a combined group for Units 3 & 4 and no group discussion for Unit 5.
| |
|
Enrolling Now for CompassNIH Early-Career Leadership Development ProgramFall Application Deadline August 8Spring Application Deadline December 26
Compass is a remote training and mentoring program for early-career faculty and postdocs across research disciplines who want to develop essential leadership and management skills for the research environment. We provide knowledge, skills, and tools to help Scholars identify new and refined approaches to their work that foster their achievement and fulfillment as scientists. This series runs for 6 weeks and is free to postdocs.
Learn To
- Create a productive work environment
- Build good relationships and team
- Navigate managing projects and peopl
- Ensure rigorous, trustworthy researc
- Engage effectively as a mentor and mentee
Key Program Features
- Practical Tools and Strategies
- Collaborative Learning Community
- Insights from Experienced Mentors
| |
|
New Season of EFS Career Development Seminars Begins August 20
Edge for Scholars is excited to kick-off a new year of EFS Career Development Seminars with Spending Wisely on Wednesday, August 20. Seminars will be held virtually.
EFS Career Development Seminars are for MD and PhD investigators completing training and establishing their careers and also for faculty awarded research career development awards. All are welcome. Please forward this email to colleagues.
| |
|
Cancer Research Institute Postdoctoral FellowshipsApplications Open!
The Cancer Research Institute (CRI) Postdoctoral Fellowships Program is now accepting applications through September 1. This prestigious award supports early-career scientists conducting research in fundamental immunology or cancer immunology at nonprofit institutions in the U.S. or abroad.
Fellows receive up to three years of funding, with stipends starting at $74,000, a $5,000 annual research allowance, and additional support for attending scientific conferences like CRI’s annual CICON meeting.
Eligible applicants must have a doctoral degree by the fellowship start date and conduct research under a sponsor holding a faculty appointment (assistant professor or higher). There are no citizenship restrictions.
Learn more and apply by visiting our website.
| |
|
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!
| |
|
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.
| |
| | Summer 2025: Weekly "Co-Working" Sessions
| |
|
The GPAS staff will also be offering weekly 'co-working' sessions throughout the fall semester on Thursdays 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.
| |
| Write On!Applications for Fall 2025 are now OPEN!
Write On! is an interdisciplinary writing support program for Vanderbilt graduate students and postdocs. The groups will meet weekly for two hours to focus on individualized writing. 'Writing' can focus on grant applications, manuscript drafts or revisions, article summaries, job application materials, and more. Apply today!
| |
|
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:
| |
|
9:00 a.m. Preparing for an Independent Research Career
10:00 a.m. - Applying and Interviewing for Faculty Jobs
12:00 p.m. - Funding the Launch of your Research Career
1:00 p.m. - Setting Up a New Lab
2:30 p.m. - International Faculty Panel
| |
|
| | Connect with the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)
| |
| | Connect with the Vanderbilt Postdoc Association (VPA)
| |
| Postdoc Spotlight: Milene Fontes, Ph.D.
Milene is a postdoc in Pediatric Critical Care at VUMC working in Dr. Ryan Stark’s lab. Her research explores how blood vessels respond to infection, aiming to uncover mechanisms behind vascular damage in conditions like sepsis. Originally from Brazil, Milene brings a deep passion for mentorship and hands-on research. When she’s not in the lab, she enjoys cooking, exploring Nashville, and spending time with her dog. Read more about her work in our August postdoc feature here.
| |
|
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. Matthew Johnson-Roberson, inaugural dean for the new College of Connected Computing, will be the 2025 Keynote Speaker.
| |
| 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!
| |
| 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.
| |
|
National Postdoc Association
NPA SmartSkills: Becoming a Good Mentor and Mentee
This session is designed to help postdocs better understand how mentoring is a crucial component of the higher education experience, and how a strong mentoring relationship can significantly influence the success of both mentors and their mentees. Postdocs often find themselves in a unique position, serving both as mentors to graduate students or undergraduates in a lab and as mentees in their relationship with their principal investigator (PI). This session will offer guidance on how to engage in effective mentoring interactions. Register here for the August 26 virtual course.
| |
| Join VPA Slack Channel!
Join the VandyPostdocs Slack channel, where they offer 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!
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). Let's build a stronger, more connected postdoc community together!
| |
| 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/.
| |
|
