National Postdoc Appreciation Week

Start your Monday morning off on the right foot! Stop by for coffee & bagels and meet other UM postdocs in the beautiful Hussey Room at the Michigan League.

*Notes* The first postdocs to stop by will receive a free t-shirt (subject to size availability). 

Please RSVP so we have an accurate count for our food order.

This workshop will introduce postdoctoral fellows to the benefits of diversity, the cost of not investing in diversity, as well as issues that contribute to a negative academic climate. Another key objective for this presentation is to share evidence-based practices for maintaining positive and inclusive academic climates, while sharing resources for future professional development in DEI. 

Ethriam Cash Brammer is a Chicano writer and scholar of P'urhépecha descent, from El Centro, California. He currently serves as an Assistant Dean for the Rackham Graduate School at the University of Michigan, where he is also the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Implementation Lead. Assistant Dean Brammer holds a doctorate in English from Wayne State University and a Masters of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University. 

A literary scholar dedicated to giving voice to marginalized narratives through translation, Dr. Brammer has translated a number of historically significant works of early U.S. Latinx literature, including The Adventures of Don Chipote: Or, When Parrots Breast Feed, by Daniel Venegas (Arte Público Press, 2000); Lucas Guevara, by Alirio Díaz Guerra (Arte Público Press, 2003); and, Under The Texas Sun, by Conrado Espinoza (Arte Público Press, 2007). Assistant Dean Brammer is a passionate advocate for the success of students of all ages. He is the author of two original bilingual children’s books: My Tata’s Guitar/La guitara de mi tata (Arte Público Press, 2003) and Allá en el Rancho Grande/The Rowdy, Rowdy Ranch (Arte Público Press, 2004); and, he has been deeply involved in efforts to increase children’s literacy through programs such as El Día del Niño/El Día del Libro and PRIME TIME Family Reading Time, two programs supported by the American Library Association.   

Join MHealthy instructor, Colleen, for a 1 hr Zumba class and enjoy the music while exercising along with other UM-Postdocs!

RSVP to express your interest in receiving a free professional headshot during this time! 

Organizers will follow up through email to confirm and to schedule a specific 10 minute time slot.

*NOTES* There is limited availability for headshots. Please RSVP TO ONE HEADSHOT SESSION ONLY (either Tues, Wed or Thursday); otherwise, you will be removed from both spots. If you have received a headshot through the UM recently, please allow others an opportunity to get one. 

In case of bad weather we will meet inside Rackham Building (1st floor, Main Lobby).

Join Mhealthy instructor, Colleen, for a 1 hr muscular fitness class. Wear comfortable, exercise clothes, and come prepared to move around during your lunch break!

The class is scheduled to be held in an OGPS conference room, so masks will be required. If the weather is nice, the class may shift outdoors!

If you're unfamiliar with the location, please look for a UMPDA volunteer at the entrance of Taubman Health Sciences Library, They will direct you to the correct spot.

Wind down your work day by tapping in to your creative side! Follow along with our instructor, Sarah, to create a painting on canvas. All supplies will be provided. No artistic talent needed!... Not enough? Well, pizza and soft drinks will be provided at the end of the event too!

*NOTES* This event is of limited capacity; please RSVP only if you plan to attend and update your registration should your plans change. 

--> Room might be difficult to find if you are not familiar with Medical Campus (closest way is accessing through Taubman Library). Please plan ahead to arrive on time.

What are personal brands, and how can postdocs put them to work for their careers? In this interactive workshop, participants will learn about personal brands, create their own personal statements and identify ways in which they can build their personal brands and professional reputations.

Erica A. Gobrogge, Ph.D., is the Director of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs at Van Andel Institute. She earned a Ph.D. in molecular microbiology at Washington University in St. Louis. Her work resulted in multiple publications, awards and national fellowships, including the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship. While in graduate school, Erica helped run a large science outreach organization, which broadened her interests outside the lab. After completing a science policy fellowship at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, she directed the society’s education, professional-development and diversity programs. Erica now runs the postdoc program at Van Andel Institute, serves on the ASBMB Membership Committee and is co-chair of the Professional Development Hub’s Communications Working Group.

RSVP to express your interest in receiving a free professional headshot during this time! 

Organizers will follow up through email to confirm and to schedule a specific 10 minute time slot.

*NOTES* There is limited availability for headshots. Please RSVP TO ONE HEADSHOT SESSION ONLY (either Tues, Wed or Thursday); otherwise, you will be removed from both spots. If you have received a headshot through the UM recently, please allow others an opportunity to get one. 

In case of bad weather we will meet inside Rackham Building (1st floor, Main Lobby).

Stop by the Postdoc Appreciation Week Picnic - partners, spouses, and kids included!

We'll have typical picnic food, water, soda, & seltzer available. Join us for an afternoon to celebrate being a postdoc at University of Michigan. 

You're welcome to wear your favorite Michigan gear!

In the 21st century, scientists are facing new challenges of working in multicultural environments, establishing international collaborations, and conducting research at multiple locations across the globe. Researcher mobility clearly adds a competitive advantage when looking for employment, and yet, “going global” might be intimidating due to a lack of career planning information and guidance. Thus, this seminar offers a unique opportunity to explore what is required for a successful global career launch. By the end of the session, the participant will be able to:  

● Understand the current trends in international mobility and benefits of going global,

● Gain awareness of skills to navigate the non-US job market, 

● Learn networking tips to uncover diverse career opportunities across the globe.

Dr. Irina Filonova completed a B.S. in Biology and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences (Neuroscience) from the University of South Florida. After a 3-year postdoc at UT Southwestern, she moved to Japan where she spent 4 years creating professional and career development programs and career coaching PhDs. Dr. Filonova is the founder of "the phd whisperer", evidence-based coaching and training company for PhDs within and outside academia. As a coach, Irina helps PhDs to create fulfilling professional lives in alignment with their values, skills, and interests. Her daily interactions are never boring as she gets to work with an incredibly diverse international population and faces the peculiar challenges of cross-cultural communication. Previously, Irina worked as an academic developer at Faculty Affairs Office, OIST, Japan. While at OIST, Irina helped STEM researchers from over 40 countries to find academic and non-academic jobs across the globe.  Currently, Irina enjoys running her own business, teaching, and writing about a variety of topics. Linkedin profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irinafilonova/ 

RSVP to express your interest in receiving a free professional headshot during this time! 

Organizers will follow up through email to confirm and to schedule a specific 10 minute time slot.

*NOTES* There is limited availability for headshots. Please RSVP TO ONE HEADSHOT SESSION ONLY (either Tues, Wed or Thursday); otherwise, you will be removed from both spots. If you have received a headshot through the UM recently, please allow others an opportunity to get one. 

In case of bad weather we will meet inside Rackham Building (1st floor, Main Lobby).

Join UMPDA for a social event to celebrate Postdoc Appreciation Week, hang out with and meet fellow postdocs! 

*Note* Food will be provided by UMPDA. Drinks will be paid by the attendees.

Inflation has hit everyone’s budget, and that means our dollars are being stretched tighter than ever. This session will provide ten (10) helpful suggestions to trim some of your expenses, so that the monthly spending plan has some more breathing room. Get ready to tackle those higher prices! 

Mark Munzenberger is the financial education manager at the University of Michigan Credit Union (UMCU). Mark has been working in financial services since 1988 when he graduated from college, and provides both financial education workshops and individual financial counseling for thousands of students and adults each year. In 2021, Mark was named the Michigan Credit Union Foundation’s Educator of the Year.

Enjoy a boxed lunch from U-M Catering, hang out with fellow U-M postdocs, hear from the UMPDA co-presidents, and find out the winners of this year's Outstanding Postdoctoral Fellow Award (OPFA)!