April 7, 2026

Dear Postdoctoral Community,  

As we move further into the spring semester, I want to take a moment to recognize the dedication you bring to your research, scholarship, and the broader Vanderbilt community. Your contributions are what make this community so vibrant and impactful.

I encourage you to get involved in the Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association (VPA) Postdoc Buddy Program. This initiative is a meaningful way to support incoming postdocs as they transition to Vanderbilt while fostering connections across our community. If you have not yet signed up, I hope you will take a moment to do so—your mentorship can make a lasting difference in helping new colleagues feel welcomed and supported.

I also hope you will join your peers at the upcoming VPA Happy Hour on Thursday, April 23. These events offer a great opportunity to build connections, unwind, and engage with fellow postdocs outside the lab. Additional details and RSVP information are provided below.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if there is anything I can do to support you.

Best, 

C. André Christie-Mizell
Vice Provost for Graduate Education
Director, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
Dean of the Graduate School
Centennial Professor of Sociology

The Graduate Education Honors Banquet took place on March 19. This year, the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs introduced an expanded and redesigned award structure to elevate postdoctoral recognition, combining the annual postdoc awards with the Graduate School Honors Banquet. 

The 2026 Honors Banquet recognized previous award categories, but also included a new category, the Postdoctoral Excellence in Innovation Award. Besides awardees, the banquet honored postdocs that are in elected positions in the Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association (VPA), the Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Symposium research award winners, and postdocs that are recipients of external fellowship and funding awards. 

Read the full MyVU story here.

Dr. Julia Garon-Bissonnette holds an interdisciplinary appointment in Psychology and Human Development and Special Education. With an extensive record of publications, presentations, and international awards, her research has earned broad recognition across the field. Described as an outstanding colleague, mentor, and leader, she brings intellectual curiosity, generosity, and a strong commitment to supporting others, exemplifying the qualities of a rising leader in her discipline.

Dr. Kyle David is a postdoc in Biological Sciences whose research focuses on evolutionary patterns in yeasts and the impact of gene family changes. With 19 publications in leading journals and prestigious NSF funding across his training, he's an outstanding early-career scientist. As his mentor notes, he is “one of the best postdocs to ever work with,” reflecting both his research excellence and meaningful contributions to outreach and engagement.

Dr. Laurie Cutting is recognized for her exceptional mentorship and commitment to trainee development. Her research on brain-behavior relationships in children is matched by a mentoring style that encourages independence, thoughtful risk-taking, and long-term vision. Known for teaching mentees to be “patient yet proactive,” she fosters growth that extends well beyond the lab. Her lasting impact is reflected in the success of her trainees and their continued dedication to mentoring future generations.

Dr. Chelsea Mann is a postdoctoral fellow in the School of Medicine recognized for her outstanding commitment to mentoring and teaching. She fosters a supportive and collaborative lab environment while providing thoughtful scientific guidance to trainees at all levels. In addition to her research contributions to the development of novel antibacterial drugs, she has taken on significant teaching roles, earning exceptional student feedback and demonstrating a deep passion for education and mentorship.

Dr. Binnie You is recognized for her sustained, high-impact leadership and service. She has strengthened the postdoctoral experience through inclusive mentorship, structured peer support, and collaborative initiatives. Her contributions extend beyond Vanderbilt through active roles in national and international communities, as well as editorial and scholarly service. Known for her approachable and inclusive leadership style, Dr. You elevates those around her while advancing both science and community engagement.

Dr. Fan Feng is recognized for his innovative use of AI to analyze complex biological data. His work develops advanced computational tools that drives new insights in T1D research & supporting the broader scientific community. Through creativity & technical expertise, Dr. Feng is helping position his team at the forefront of biomedical discovery.

Dr. Tin Nguyen is a postdoctoral fellow in Special Education whose innovative research integrates literacy, systems thinking, and neuroscience to understand how family, school, and community environments shape children’s reading development. Building on his predoctoral work, he has developed L.A.N.T.E.R.N. (Language Analysis of Text Retell Network), a platform that combines AI-assisted transcription with network science modeling to streamline the collection, decoding, and interpretation of children’s oral reading and retell data. Leveraging Vanderbilt’s and Nashville’s rich ecosystem of education, community partnership, and social innovation, Dr. Nguyen has created a research program that is both scientifically rigorous and deeply responsive to real-world needs, advancing knowledge while directly supporting children and educators.

The VPA is looking for current Vanderbilt Postdocs to serve as mentors for the Postdoc Buddy Program!

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! Interested? Complete this quick survey. 

The VPA team will notify you when you have been matched with an incoming postdoc!

The Journal of Life Sciences (JoLS) invites postdocs to join JoLS-Pub, a new platform where scientists share layperson-friendly summaries of their published research. As a reviewer, you’ll gain editorial experience, refine your science communication skills, and mentor graduate and undergraduate trainees while promoting accurate, accessible science for the public.

Key Details:

Register now to join the JoLS-Pub editorial team and help bridge the gap between science and society! Encourage your trainees to register as reviewers too. You can register by emailing info@journaloflifesciences.org.

Simplifying community engagement, so you can invest your energy where it matters. Get Connected today! Find volunteer opportunities easily, sign-up quickly and track your service hours efficiently. 

Visit vu.edu/getconnected and log in with your VUNetID to get started.

Leping Wang is a postdoctoral scholar in Sociology at Vanderbilt University and the Center for Research on Inequality and Health. Her work examines how social relationships shape inequality in health and well-being, with a focus on aging populations. Currently, she contributes to an NIH-funded project exploring the experiences of never-married older adults. Leping values Vanderbilt’s collaborative community and enjoys live music, hiking, and staying active outside of research.

Did you know the Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association (VPA) hosts monthly executive board meetings that are open to all postdocs? These meetings provide an opportunity to stay informed about upcoming events, discuss current issues impacting the postdoctoral community, and contribute ideas to enhance the postdoc experience. If you’re interested in getting involved with the VPA, these meetings are the perfect way to connect with current board members and learn more ahead of the upcoming board election nominations.

Join the VPA for their postdoc happy hour featuring karaoke on Thursday, April 23, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Alumni Hall Lounge (100). Come out and enjoy food, drinks, and great company while you sing your heart out, cheer on your colleagues, or simply relax and soak up the good vibes. Whether you’re here for the karaoke, the snacks, or the community, it’s the perfect way to unwind and connect with fellow postdocs.

Join us for our monthly Coffee Break and connect with fellow postdocs in a relaxed, welcoming space. All Vanderbilt postdocs, new and current, are invited to stop by for conversation, community, and a chance to recharge together. We hope to see you there!

This month's workshop is designed to unlock your potential with their Individual Development Plan (IDP) workshop for postdocs. This interactive session demystifies the IDP process, showing you how to use IDPs to set strategic goals and identify skill gaps. Learn how to leverage your IDP as a powerful tool for professional growth, mentorship conversations, and long-term success - whether you're pursuing academia, industry, or other fields. Register here for the April 28 virtual course.

The GPAS staff will offer weekly 'co-working' sessions throughout the spring 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 questions 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.

Ready to take your mentoring and supervision skills to the next level?

Don’t miss the Effective Mentoring Strategies for Postdocs workshop — your essential guide to mentoring now and into your academic future!

This interactive session will help you build foundational skills in:

SAVE THE DATE

📅 Friday, July 17, 2026

Gain tools to mentor and supervise with confidence and clarity—now and in the future. Presented by the Graduate & Postdoc Academic Success Office and the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.

Let’s build a stronger future—together.  Note:  this is a repeated program offered in Spring and Summer.  If you have already participated, this will not include new material.

Graduate and Postdoctoral Career Success (GPCS) supports academic and non-academic career and professional development of postdoctoral fellows in non-biomedical STEM, Humanities, and Social Sciences disciplines. 

GPCS has weekly virtual drop-in hours on Mondays from 10 am - 11 am beginning on January 12, along with in-person drop-ins in Alumni Hall lounge beginning January 21. More details can be found on Handshake (see links above. 

Postdocs can request a 1:1 appointment with Dr. Keeton via Handshake.

The BRET Office of Career Development ASPIRE program supports biomedical postdoctoral fellows in the School of Medicine and VUMC. 

Resumes & CVs
This session will be led by Kim Petrie, PhD, Director of the ASPIRE Program and Assistant Dean for Biomedical Career Development
Thursday, April 23 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Light Hall 407

Finding the Right Fit: Understanding Faculty Roles at U.S. Institutions and Overview of the Faculty Job Search Process
Do you know the different types of academic faculty positions that are available in the U.S.? What skills do you need for each type? What type of faculty positions is right for you? Join Kathy Gould, Ph.D., Louise B. McGavock Professor, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, for a session in which we will explore the different types of faculty positions available to life scientists and the variable skills a competitive applicant needs to demonstrate for each type.
Thursday, May 14 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Light Hall 407

CV/Resume Drop-In Clinic
EVERY Tuesday | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Light Hall 707

Parenting Group: Intentional Practices for Improved Family Communication
Wednesday, April 8 | 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Online via Zoom

Salary Negotiation Workshop
Monday, April 13 | 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Online via Zoom

People, Culture, and Belonging welcomes all postdocs to take part in PCB events. 

The APMM program is open to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in the Biomedical Sciences at Vanderbilt University. It offers a unique opportunity to integrate your thesis work with clinically relevant, disease-focused areas of research. The program includes a combination of didactic and experiential learning, seminars, and mentored experiences guided by both clinical and basic science mentors. Applications are due on Monday, June 1, 2026.

More information on training structure and program requirements can be found here.

To access the application, click HERE.

If you have any questions about the application process or the APMM program, feel free to reach out.

The Vanderbilt Collaborative for STEM Education and Outreach (CSEO) is seeking science and education graduate students and postdoctoral fellows interested in joining our STEM Educator Learning Community as a part of the Scientist in the Classroom Partnership (SCP) program for the 2026-2027 academic year.

This is a training program for graduate students and postdocs to learn and implement STEM education practices in collaboration and service with classroom teachers and their students. Intended benefits to the scientist include – exposure to STEM education, experience translating real world science to the classroom, education skill and workforce development, mentorship, outreach & community involvement.

Upon completion of the year-long program and all required training components, participants will earn a “Certification of program completion in Innovative K-12 STEM Education” and a service-free stipend.

Take a NEW STEP forward with us and join our Vanderbilt Scientist-Teacher-Educator Partnership (VSTEP).

More information and the digital application can be found on our website (https://vu.edu/scp). We’re hoping to hear from all interested parties by the beginning of May.

The Huo Family Foundation invites applications for its second annual Early-Career Fellowships, designed to support talented and promising postdoctoral researchers on the path to independence. These fellowships provide an opportunity for early-career researchers to design, lead, and deliver their own innovative research projects while transitioning to independent research careers.

Proposals should address key questions related to the effects of usage of and exposure to digital technologies on brain development and function (including physiological responses), social behaviour and interactions, and the well-being and mental health of children and young people. The Foundation particularly encourages innovative, multidisciplinary approaches that move beyond simple measures (e.g., screen time) to better understand the complexities of digital technology use.

Fellowships are open to researchers based at degree-awarding institutions in the U.S. and U.K.

Key Details:

Eligibility:

For more information and to apply, please visit the Huo Family Foundation website.

Registration is now open for the Summer 2026 Skills for Health & Research Professionals (SHARP) program, featuring 30+ hands-on boot camps for health and research professionals at all career stages. Trainings cover a wide range of topics from data science and grant writing to emerging areas like metallomics and computational toxicology, and are offered in in-person, virtual, and hybrid formats. Scholarships are available for many courses. Explore the full lineup and apply here.

The NIH Summer Course in Clinical and Translational Research for basic science researchers will be offered virtually this year at no cost. This intensive, introductory program is designed to explore the role of PhD scientists in clinical and translational research, highlighting how basic science discoveries and clinical observations intersect to drive innovation in human health.

Through lectures, discussions, and small group activities, participants will gain foundational knowledge in key areas such as study design, protocol development, scientific and ethical review, and medical product development. The course also offers valuable opportunities to engage with NIH researchers and program administrators, learn about unique NIH resources, and explore potential career pathways within the NIH.

Eligibility:
Open to doctoral students and early-career PhD investigators in the basic sciences who are currently affiliated with a U.S. institution and have limited clinical research experience. Advisor or supervisor approval is required.

Application Details:
Applicants must submit a cover letter, NIH-format biosketch, and a letter of recommendation from their advisor/supervisor. Letters of recommendation are due July 1, 2026, and applicants will be notified of decisions by July 10, 2026. Enrollment is limited.

Learn more and apply through the NIH Summer Course application process here.

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!

Are you a postdoc that has been awarded a new fellowship or accepted a faculty position? Have you published a high-impact journal article or had your book accepted for publication? Let OPA know so we can celebrate through our newsletter, website, and social media.

The 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. 

The Graduate and Postdoctoral Career Success (GPCS) program provides essential support to departments/programs, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows to allow  scholars to  build skills, cultivate confidence, and design successful careers. 

The GPCS supports the academic and non-academic career and professional development of postdoctoral fellows in non-biomedical STEM, Humanities, and Social Sciences disciplines. 

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.

The Vanderbilt University English Language Center (ELC) provides academic and professional English instruction and targeted resources for international students, faculty, staff, scholars, and their families. Our goal is to ensure that every member of our community can thrive at Vanderbilt by offering innovative, high-quality, and individualized language support. The ELC offers courses and services that address the academic, professional, and practical language needs of the Vanderbilt community while also fostering cross-cultural understanding and effective communication.

The K.C. Potter Center is a welcoming space and resource hub for students, postdocs, faculty, and staff. The center provides community, support, and programming aimed at fostering inclusion across campus. Check out their upcoming events on their website.

The Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center is an affirming space for women and for all members of the Vanderbilt community that actively resists discrimination in all forms, including sexism, by providing resources and educational programming.

The Office of Research Weekly Update delivers the latest news, events, and funding opportunities from across the School of Medicine. All postdocs are invited to subscribe here! 

The Writing Studio offers weekly writing groups for graduate students and postdocs during the Fall and Spring semesters on Tuesday afternoons from 2-5pm and Friday mornings from 9am-12pm. Students are welcome to attend one or both days and are encouraged to commit to attending each week. Each group meeting begins with a brief 10-minute check-in during which participants are invited to share their writing goals for the session. Participants then check in again at the end of the session to share their progress. A Writing Studio facilitator is available throughout to provide an additional sense of community and accountability. To participate, please complete this registration form.

More information can be found here: Writing Groups | The Writing Studio

Career Center Photo Booth - 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.

Holy Days Calendar - 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.

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/.