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National Postdoc Association Week
NPAW is a one-week celebration of postdoctoral scholars' significant contributions to scientific research and discovery. This is an annual celebration, held in September; each day of this designated week has a specific activity focused on:
- Building postdoctoral connectivity through informal activities such as coffee chats, games, and quizzes.
- Providing postdocs with professional and academic development opportunities, such as editing, peer-reviewing, and soft skills workshops.
- Offering platforms for researchers to share knowledge, learn about other postdocs' research, and connect with peers in their field.
- Providing postdocs with the opportunity to share their discoveries.
Previous Events
2024 NPAW
September 16 - 20, 2024
Monday, September 16: Donuts & Discussions, Postdoc Coffee Break
Tuesday, September 17: Mentors & Minds, Postdoc & PI Trivia Lunch
Wednesday, September 18: Virtual Career Panel
Thursday, September 19: Postdoctoral Research Symposium (PRS) | Keynote Speaker: Shruti Naik, PhD "Immune-mediated mechanisms of tissue adaptation and maladaption"
Friday, September 20: Introduction & Training Session: the Postdoctoral Editing and Reviewing Team (PSERT)
2023 NPAW
September 18 - 22, 2023
Monday, September 18: Coffee & Donuts
Tuesday, September 19: Introduction & Training Session: the Postdoctoral Editing and Reviewing Team (PSERT)
Wednesday, September 20: Virtual Career Panel
Thursday, September 21: Postdoctoral Research Symposium (PRS) | Keynote Speaker: Garret FitzGerald, MD, FRS "From Aspirin to Chronobiology, Reflections on Patience and Time"
Friday, September 22: Postdoc Social: Dinner and Games
2022 NPAW
September 19 - 23, 2022
Monday, September 19: Coffee & Donuts
Tuesday, September 20: Introduction & Training Session: the Postdoctoral Editing and Reviewing Team (PSERT)
Wednesday, September 21: Virtual Career Panel
Thursday, September 22: Postdoctoral Research Symposium (PRS) | Keynote Speaker: Nicola Allen, PhD "Astrocyte-Neuron Interactions in Brain Health and Disease"
Friday, September 23: Trivia Night and Postdoc Mentor Award Presentation
2019 NPAW
Monday, September 16
NPAW Kick-off Day - Gifts and coffee for Postdocs 9:00 am - 10:00 am, JAH/BLSB lobbies.
Stop by either location anytime between 9 and 10 am to get your appreciation gift with a side of donuts and coffee on us.
Yoga Class - 4:30 pm- 5:30 pm, BLSB 105/107.
This is a free event. A limited amount of yoga mats and blocks will be provided; please bring your own mat if you have it.
Tuesday, September 17
Career Panel, Work-life Balance - 9:00 am - 10:30 am, JAH Eakins Lounge.
Breakfast will be served. Panelists: Dr. Heather Montie, Associate Professor, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine; Dr. Fred Kaplan: Senior Research Scientist, Janssen; Dr. Erin Heine, Assistant Director, TJU Postbaccalaureate Pre-Professional Program; Dr. Gabor Kari, Associate Director, Novartis.
Philly's Postdoc Community Social Hour - 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at The Post, 129 South 30th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Participating Institutions: Thomas Jefferson University, Temple University, University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, Wistar Institute, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Wednesday, September 18
AACR Cancer Careers Clinic - 10:30 am - 12:30 pm. JAH 168, 171, 173.
The clinic is a special in-person opportunity for postdocs to meet with successfully transitioned PhDs, as well as HR representatives, from the AACR staff for small-group or one-on-one conversations. Conversations can range from how to review and critique one’s personal CV/resume, how to apply/interview/negotiate for one’s first full-time position in cancer research, how to get published in a scientific journal, how to provide an effective elevator pitch, how to get funded for a grant, etc.
Salsa Dance Class - 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm, BLSB 105/107.
This is a free event. Snacks will be served.
Thursday, September 19
Keynote Seminar + Lunch with an Expert
Both events are led by Dr. Paul-André Genest, Senior Editor, Wiley.
- Keynote: “Insight into scientific publishing: Career options offered in the industry and how scientific journals operate and evolve” - 12:00 pm -1:00 pm, Hamilton 505.
- Lunch with an Expert - Informal Q&A (for students and postdocs only) - 1:00 pm -2:00 pm, Hamilton 504.
You can register for one or both of the events. Lunch will be provided.
Friday, September 20
Volleyball Game - 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm, Lubert Plaza. (Postdocs and PIs welcome)
Social Hour at Strangelove’s will start at 5:30 pm, following the volleyball match.
2018 NPAW
The National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) held its ninth annual National Postdoctoral Appreciation Week September 17 – 21, 2018. Thomas Jefferson University joined the celebration by organizing and hosting various events (listed below) from September 17th to September 21st, 2018.
Monday, September 17
Keynote: Dr. Shakira Nelson (AACR and Board of Directors of the National Postdoctoral Association)
Title: "The Good, The Bad and the Empowered"
Reception
Venue: BLSB 101
Tuesday, September 18
“Story matters in science: What’s yours?”
Speaker: Pamela Walter, MFA
Jefferson Office of Professional Writing, Publishing, and Communication
In this lunch and learn session, we’ll look at the science of scientific storytelling. By the end of this session, you will possess magical knowledge of how to tell a better story, explain your science more clearly, and amaze your co-workers with your ability to mesmerize your PI in meetings. Our journey will also look evidence revealing what elements of your storytelling make a difference in citation frequency. Refine your story. Free food.
Venue: 901 Walnut Street, Lobby
Open to Graduate Students
Wednesday September 19
Carnival Games and Foods
Venue: Lubert Plaza and Hamilton Building 1st floor
Thursday September 20
Bring Your Own PI (BYOPI)
Learn Better Communication Skills
Breakfast with PIs
Venue: Eakins Lounge, JAH
Friday September 21
Soccer Game
Venue: Lubert Plaza
Social Hour (immediately following)
