News

In 2017, the UA Faculty Senate invited postdocs to join two standing committees. This was the first time that postdocs had served in the Senate and the outcome has been so successful that an invitation has been extended to have a postdoc join a third committee: the Student Affairs Policy committee. Applications must be received by 12 pm on Monday, July 15, 2019.

Congratulations to the seven postdocs awarded the Postdoctoral Research Development Grants, specifically designed to help promote independence of postdoctoral scholars by providing funds for additional research training or experience that is outside the scope of their current postdoctoral appointments.

"The University of Arizona Postdoctoral Association (UAPA) was formally established in 2017 to develop a framework of support for postdoctoral scholars at the University of Arizona. The goals of UAPA are to facilitate networking, professional development and service/outreach opportunities for UA postdocs."

This week UA Postdoctoral Affairs and UAPA met with members of the postdoc office from Arizona State University to discuss potential collaborations. Pictured left to right: Grace Niemiro, Jenny Hoit, Wiley Larsen, Hope Lancaster, Maggie Berti, Priyanka Kushwaha, Christina Forbes, and Diana Ferro.

Postdoctoral Affairs will host Postdoc Grant Camp this summer. Postdoc Grant Camp, designed for postdocs who are in the process of applying for a grant, will consist of at least three in-person meetings between May and August 2019 (scheduled at the convenience of participants and located on campus) to discuss challenges and progress, as well as weekly online accountability reports. The goal is to help participants develop a successful grant proposal within an efficient time frame. The application process is competitive and enrollment is limited. Applications must be received by May 12, 2019 at 5:00 pm.

The annual UA Awards of Distinction Luncheon and Ceremony included two new awards: the Excellence in Postdoctoral Mentoring Award and the Outstanding Postdoctoral Scholar Award, which were presented by Postdoctoral Affairs on April 1st, 2019.

​The planets, moons, and asteroids in our solar system offer a host of mysteries that if (when!) solved will enlighten us about processes occurring on Earth and throughout the universe.  As a planetary scientist, Mike studies the geology and physics of the solid worlds orbiting the Sun in an effort to explore Earth’s neighborhood and shed light on how planets evolve.

Dr. Michael M. Sori was presented with the Outstanding Postdoctoral Scholar Award at the 2019 Awards of Distinction Luncheon and Ceremony, on April 1st.

Dr. Joceline Lega was presented with the Excellence in Postdoctoral Mentoring Award at the 2019 Awards of Distinction Luncheon and Ceremony, on April 1st.

Behavioral genetics is a growing field that seeks to explain how genes and neurons influence the behavior of an organism. Through a multi-disciplinary approach using genetic and neurobiological techniques, Shaun's ultimate research goal is to understand how organisms use their behavioral repertoire to enhance their survival, and to learn how these innate behaviors evolved.