The Building 68 Postdoctoral Association (B68-PDA) consists of postdoctoral scholars working to build and maintain a supportive community among fellow postdocs in the MIT Department of Biology. Founded in 2015 and funded by the department, the mission of the B68-PDA is to:
- Foster the Building 68 postdoc community,
- Provide a forum for discussion of postdoc concerns,
- Educate postdocs about topics relevant to their current and future positions,
- Present opportunities for career development,
- Encourage peer support and mentoring, and
- Enhance scientific exchange
Contact
We host a number of monthly events and other initiatives (see below). Join the MIT Biology Slack Channel by signing up here to find out more or to get involved. You can also email the MIT Biology Postdocs and follow us on Twitter.
Committees and initiatives
Townhall Meeting
Once a year, the B68-PDA hosts a townhall meeting inviting all Building 68 postdocs to participate. During this meeting, the B68-PDA provides a summary of last year’s initiatives and activities, explains upcoming plans, and invites discussion and feedback. This meeting defines what initiatives will be taken and maintained by the B68-PDA throughout the year, as well as the topics that the B68-PDA will bring to the department for discussion.
Buddy Program
Every new Building 68 postdoc gets paired with a senior postdoc in the building to introduce them to MIT and connect them to postdocs outside their own labs. The buddies are encouraged to get coffee or lunch together one-on-one.
Career and Networking Lunch Series
This monthly lunch series features postdoc alumni from industry, academia, and other fields who describe their job searches, current positions, and what it is like to no longer be a postdoc. This lunch is a good opportunity to learn about life post-MIT, and ask questions in an informal setting.
MIT Biology Colloquia
The B68-PDA is in charge of inviting notable speakers to the Tuesday Biology Colloquia, and hosts these speakers during their visit to the department. This is an opportunity for postdocs to meet and interact with the invited guest during individual meetings, lunch, and dinner. Any postdoc in the department can suggest a speaker, and the choices are then voted on by all postdocs.
Postdoc Work in Progress Seminar (WIPS)
This monthly, internal MIT Biology lunch research seminar series features postdocs from Building 68, the Whitehead Institute, and Koch Institute. WIPS aims to enhance intellectual exchange between Biology postdocs, and encourage discussions about ongoing work, ideas, and challenges in a confidential setting.
Social Events
The B68-PDA hosts coffee hours and happy hours in Building 68 and at nearby locations to bring postdocs together to chat and connect.
Calendar
Co-Chairs
Current Co-Chairs
TJ Russell ● Yiqiao Zheng
Past Chairs
Isabel Nocedal ● Ana Fiszbein ● Markus Arnold ● Peter Sudmant ● Jeanne Jodoin ● Michaela Bartusel ● Alexandra Pike ● Nat Clarke
Members
Current Members
Michaela Bartusel ● Xiaohang Cheng ● Prachi Dabhade ● Jibin Sadasivan ● Andrew Savinov ● Joel Sexton ● Brandon Sit ● Nick Swanson ● Maria Ullo ● Baovi Vo ● Jia Jia Zhang
Past Members
Isabel Nocedal ● Ana Fiszbein ● Amael Madec ● Vignesh M.P. Babu ● Siva Sankari ● Lydia Herzel ● James Kraemer ● Jean-Marie Swiecicki ● Leah Seebald ● Markus Arnold ● Peter Sudmant ● Julie Silverman ● Jeanne Jodoin ● Yevgenia Khodor ● Jayme Dyer ● Sri Srikant ● Daniel Saxton ● Corey Stevens ● Dana Westmoreland ● Danica Cui ● Gregory Dodge ● Jennifer Chu ● Laura Caccianini ● Lisa McLellan ● Nat Clarke ● Qing Feng ● Xiaoxue (Snow) Zhou
