September 17–21, the Society of Toxicology’s Postdoctoral Assembly (PDA) will join groups of postdocs across the country in celebrating National Postdoc Appreciation Week. Officially recognized by Congress in 2010, the event, promoted through the National Postdoctoral Association, has garnered nationwide attention as groups of postdocs gather for everything from symposia to BBQs and ice cream socials in recognition of the contributions of postdocs in advancing scientific research and education.
To meet the needs of a geographically dispersed postdoc community, SOT PDA is kicking off National Postdoc Appreciation Week by publishing blog posts from postdocs in a variety of postdoctoral assignments, and from two former postdocs, who reflect on the impact of their postdoc experiences several years out. Bloggers include:
- Alicia Timme-Laragy, a postdoc Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute
- Melanie J. Fraites, a postdoc at North Carolina State University in the Toxicology Department
- Gwendolyn Louis, a postdoc at US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)
- Betina J. Lew, a former postdoc, recently employed with Procter & Gamble
- Mamta V. Behl, former postdoc, recently employed by the National Institue for Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Blogs will be posted at the beginning of National Postdoc Appreciation Week onto the Communiqué Blog.
To cap off the week, the PDA will host a Webinar on a topic in great demand by SOT postdocs, according to recent surveys. “Finding Funding for Early Career Scientists” will be held on Thursday, September 20 from 1:00 pm-2:00 pm Eastern Time. The webinar will feature Donna Vogel, MD, PhD. Dr. Vogel has extensive experience inside the National Institutes of Health (NIH), serving various roles including Program Director. Outside NIH, she is currently the Director of the Professional Development Office of Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions. In this position, she provides courses, workshops, and guidance on transitioning to independent careers in science. Dr. Vogel’s achievements also include being a four-day winner on Jeopardy and a 2009 Tournament of Champions Semifinalist.
According to Dr. Vogel, funded investigators are made, not born. This webinar will help postdocs to acquire the knowledge and skills to compete successfully for fellowships and grants. Dr. Vogel will explain the various funding mechanisms and sources so that applicants will understand which type of award fits their interests and career stage. Participants will learn how the system works, and how to make that knowledge work to their advantage.
Funding agencies are made of human beings. Attendees will learn how to find them and why talking to them can help achieve your career and research goals. Following the presentation, the PDA will open the webinar to questions for Dr. Vogel as well as general discussion. All SOT postdocs have been sent call-in information. Reminders will go the week of the event. Others who are interested may contact Susan Simmons at SOT Headquarters for information. The Webinar will be moderated by PDA Secretary Ebany Martinez-Finley.
The PDA would like to remind the SOT community that if your organization doesn’t have plans to celebrate National Postdoc Appreciation Week, you may want to think of some way to recognize the contributions of these scientists who contribute so much to the research and educational endeavors of the scientific community.