Each Fall the OPA hosts a Research Symposium to highlight postdoctoral achievement with a keynote speaker geared toward supporting postdoc success. The event involves members of the OSU community that are welcome to attend an all postdoc poster session. The Research Symposium is a great networking and scientific communication opportunity please contact the OPA if you are interested in helping plan the symposium or have keynote speaker suggestions.

Previous Event

9th Annual OSU Postdoc Research Symposium

The 9th Annual OSU Postdoc Symposium was held virtually on Friday October 2nd. Dr. Steph Barnell opened up the symposium with the new postdocs orientation and Dr. John Bailey from the College of Forestry gave a keynote lecture on the latest changes in the State of Oregon wildfire management. Researchers representing 10 different colleges from both Oregon State University and University of Oregon presented their state-of-the-art projects in the afternoon lightning talk session and at the end of the symposium, three postdocs were awarded gift cards.

8th Annual OSU Postdoc Research Symposium and Vendor Show

The event took place on October 2nd, 2019. This year's event started with a keynote lecture by Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Distinguished Professor at OSU, a marine ecologist with expertise in biodiversity, climate change, sustainable use of oceans and the planet and interactions between the environment and human well-being. The talk was well attended, and focused on translating science into policy making. Prof. Lubchenco is a visionary and her talk touched upon key aspects of global climate calamity, her work and service experiences and how science can be translated for the well being of our planet.

Dr. Yanyun Zhao, Associate Dean (Graduate School and Office of Postdoctoral Programs) and Professor (Department of Food Science & Technology), inaugurated the event formally by speaking about OPA and the research symposium. She also encouraged post docs to stop by the OPA table and hear about various post doc activities and the upcoming elections for the OPA board.

The OPA event was generously sponsored by several vendors, their booths were visited by interested post docs, faculty members and general attendees, thus leading to an excellent knowledge sharing platform about the latest scientific products and equipment.

Twenty two OSU post docs presented fascinating posters about their research that were judged by both faculty members and students, giving students an incredible experience of an academic life. The program was attended by more than 120 guests from OSU.

The OPA presented three awards for posters (1st, 2nd and 3rd place) and conducted a raffle with prizes for attendees.

The OPA professional development and travel awards were also announced at the event. Here is a photo of (most) of the winners:

Overall the event was a success and the incredible platform for sharing research and knowledge was much appreciated by the OSU academic community. On behalf of the OPA board members, we thank everybody who contributed to the success of this event. We look forward to the next symposium with eagerness and optimism.

7th Annual OSU Postdoc Research Symposium and Vendor Show 

The 7th Annual Research Symposium organized by the OSU Postdoctoral Association (OPA) has expanded its success from previous years.

(Postdocs listening to the presentation of Dr. Michelle James)

The research symposium began with a keynote speech from Dr. Michelle James of Stanford University who tailored her presentation to the postdoc community by providing career tips for postdocs transitioning to faculty positions. Following the informative presentation from Dr. James, there was a reception and poster session. There was a record number of judges this year with the inclusion of graduate and undergraduate students. The addition of student judges encouraged science communication for all postdoc presenters.

 

(Student judges focusing on one of the posters)

This event, where the Postdoc community along with faculty and students, is the most important event of the year celebrating Postdoctoral Research across all disciplines at OSU and “hearing the feedback from the participants and visitors, from faculty and students, everyone was fascinated by the organization and management of this event. That feeling is priceless!”,says Fadi, the Vice-president of the board for the 2018-2019 term.

 

The event, sponsored and supported by the companies Swagelok Northwest US and Laboratory Equipment Co. and many other vendors, is a collaborative effort of a small group of postdoc volunteers that make up the OPA Board of Directors, including Li Cheng (President), Fadi El-Rami (Vice-President), Courtney Roper (Social Events Coordinator), Priyadarshini Chakrabarti-Basu (Membership Coordinator), James Fox (Professional Development Coordinator) and Daniel Montezano (Treasurer). 

The event provides an opportunity for postdocs to showcase their work in a competitive poster session and interact directly with vendors and suppliers while enjoying a reception provided by OSU Catering services. The winners of the poster session this year were: Dr. Cleo L Davie-Martin (middle), Dr. Sara Marie Galbraith (left) and Dr. Kathryn Verlinden (right) receiving cash prizes for the first prize, second and third best poster presentations, respectively.

The OPA is actively engaged in organizing events of interest for the almost 300 hundred post-docs currently working at OSU, including professional development activities, social events, and opportunities to showcase their work, interact with fellow postdocs from other universities and established faculty members.

 

 

The next Annual Postdoc Research Symposium and Vendor show will take place in Fall 2020! Looking forward to seeing you there.

 

Previous Symposia  

October 4, 2017

October 6, 2016

October 20, 2015

October 6, 2014.

October 30, 2013.