# 2012 Events [Past Events 2018](/2018-events) | [Past Events 2017](/2017-events) | [Past Events 2016](/2016-events) | [Past Events 2015](/2015-events) | [Past Events 2014](/2014-events) | [Past Events 2013](/2013-events) | [Past Events 2012](/2012-events) | [Past Events 2011](/2011-events) | Past Events 2010 (coming soon) | Past Events 2006-2000 (coming soon) **OPF Holiday Party** When: Wednesday, December 19, 2012 | 4:00-6:00pm Join us for food, refreshements and holiday cheer. Everyone will have a chance to win raffle door prizes. **Career Discussion Hour** When: Monday, December 17, 2012 | 4:00-5:00pm Join us to learn more about a career path in Entrepreneurship and Non-profit management... Speaker: Nina Dudnik, PhD, Founder & CEO, Seeding Labs Nina Dudnik is the founder and CEO of Seeding Labs. Nina decided at a very early age to become a scientist; her interest in science, however, always had a humanitarian angle. After earning a Bachelor’s in biochemistry from Brown University she worked in agricultural development organizations in Italy and in the Ivory Coast where she was a Fulbright scholar. During this time she met scientists from every part of the world and visited labs on three continents. While pursuing her PhD in molecular biology at Harvard Medical School she founded Seeding Labs to help scientists like the ones she had met abroad. After finishing her degree in 2007 was awarded an Echoing Green fellowship to direct the expansion of the organization full time. Seeding Labs has provided resources for research to scientists in 16 countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa and India. The organization’s work has been featured in a wide range of publications including the NPR, The Boston Globe, The Kenyan Standard, and Chemical and Engineering News. **Postdoc Lounge: Donut & Coffee Morning** When: Thursday, December 13, 2012 | 9:30-11:00am Stop by the Postdoc Office on the third Thursday of every month to enjoy fresh coffee and donuts and to learn more about the opportunities available for postdocs. Bring a copy of your CV for a quick critique by the OPF Director. **HMS Postdoc Forum** When: Wednesday, December 12, 2012 | 5:00-6:30pm Featured Speaker: Jonathan Lowery, PhD, Rosen Lab, HSDM "Loss of BMPR2 leads to high bone mass due to increased osteoblast activity" The HMS Postdoc Forum is a postdoc-driven event series to promote interdisciplinary scienitific discussion. Postdocs will have the opportunity to: engage in stimulating interdisciplinary scientific discussions; initiate new collaborations; and network with their colleagues across different departments. **The Academic Job Search Series: Acing the Interview** When: Wednesday, December 12, 2012 | 3:00-5:00pm Come hear from our faculty panelists as they discuss: \- Interview etiquette and potential pitfalls - \- Job talk essentials - \- Demystifying the chalk talk - \- Following up & negotiations - Workshop Led by: Angela DePace, PhD, Assistant Professor of Systems Biology, HMS Panelists Include: Sandeep Robert Datta, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Neurobiology, HMS Judith Glaven, PhD, Associate Dean for Basic and Interdisciplinary Research, HMS Stephen Liberles, PhD, Assistant Professor of Cell Biology, HMS Peter Sorger, PhD, Professor of Systems Biology, HMS **Getting the MOST from Your Mentors** When: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 | 1:00-3:00pm Workshop Led by: Melissa Brodrick, Ombudsperson, HMS Judith Glaven, PhD, Associate Dean for Basic and Interdisciplinary Research, HMS Learn how to take pro-active steps toward successful mentorship and how to manage your mentors. Examine case studies that highlight strategies to effectively manage conflict and prepare for becoming a mentor. **Postdoc Movie Night** When: Thursday, November 29, 2012 | 6:00pm Featured Film: The Dark Knight Rises **Career Discussion Hour** When: Thursday, November 29, 2012 | 3:00-4:00pm Join us to learn more about a career path in Pharma, Non-Profit, Outreach, and Mentoring... Speaker: Joanne Kames, PhD, Executive Director, Addgene Dr. Kamens did her undergraduate work in Biology at the University of Pennsylvania. She received her Ph.D. in Genetics from Harvard Medical School's Division of Medical Sciences. Executive Director of Addgene, a mission driven, non-profit plasmid repository dedicated to helping academic scientists around the world share high-quality plasmids. **Green Card & Visa Info Session** When: Wednesday, November 28, 2012 | 1:00-3:00pm Session Led by an Experienced Immigration Attorney An attorney with extensive immigration experience will present on the steps and pitfalls of securing a non-immigrant Visa or Green Card. There will also be an overview of the Green Card and the categories of application in that realm. **New Postdoc Orientation** When: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 | 12:30-4:00pm \- Please note that the information below pertains only to postdocs who are working in a QUAD department. Postdocs working in (and receiving pay from) one of our hospital affiliates should contact their department administrator for information regarding orientation and getting settled. The HMS/HSDM Office for Postdoctoral Fellows organizes orientations every 6 weeks for new postdocs. The Postdoc orientation is an important opportunity for new postdocs to obtain the necessary resources they need for living and working in and around the HMS/HSDM community. Postdocs learn about the administrative systems at HMS/HSDM and Harvard, research offices and policies, and receive a broad overview and explanation of the many benefits of working at Harvard. **Postdoc Lounge: Donut & Coffee Morning** When: Thursday, November 15, 2012 | 9:30-11:00am Stop by the Postdoc Office on the third Thursday of every month to enjoy fresh coffee and donuts and to learn more about the opportunities available for postdocs. Bring a copy of your CV for a quick critique by the OPF Director. **HMS Postdoc Forum** When: Wednesday, November 14, 2012 | 5:00-6:30pm Featured Speaker: Viknesh Sivanathan, PhD, Hochschild Lab, MBIB "E. coli-based system for generating amyloid" The HMS Postdoc Forum is a postdoc-driven event series to promote interdisciplinary scienitific discussion. Postdocs will have the opportunity to: engage in stimulating interdisciplinary scientific discussions; initiate new collaborations; and network with their colleagues across different departments. **Postdoc Movie Night** When: Thursday, October 25, 2012 | 6:00pm Special: We will have Halloween treats for the kids and we encourage kids (or adults!) to wear Halloween costumes to the movie. Featured Film: Madagascar 3 **Put Your Science to Work** When: Friday, October 19, 2012 | 3:30-5:30pm Featured Speaker: Peter Fiske, PhD -Author of Put Your Science to Work: The Take-Charge Career Guide for Scientists- Learn about and discuss the latest industry topics! -Current and Future Employment Trends and Your Options -Overview of Effective Career Planning and Job Hunting -The TRUE Breadth of Career Opportunities for PhD’s -Sought-after Skills and Experience -Developing a Compelling CV, Resume and Cover Letter **Postdoc Lounge: Donut & Coffee Morning** When: Thursday, October 18, 2012 | 9:30-11:00am Stop by the Postdoc Office on the third Thursday of every month to enjoy fresh coffee and donuts and to learn more about the opportunities available for postdocs. Bring a copy of your CV for a quick critique by the OPF Director. **HMS Postdoc Forum** When: Wednesday, October 17, 2012 | 5:00-6:30pm Featured Speaker: Kristin Krukenberg, PhD, Mitchison Lab, Systems Biology "The functional role and regulation of poly(ADP-ribose) in cancer cells" The HMS Postdoc Forum is a postdoc-driven event series to promote interdisciplinary scienitific discussion. Postdocs will have the opportunity to: engage in stimulating interdisciplinary scientific discussions; initiate new collaborations; and network with their colleagues across different departments. **Career Discussion Hour** When: Wednesday, October 17, 2012 | 1:30-2:30pm Heather Sternshein, PhD, Sciences Content Manager, Boundless Learning Heather Sternshein is the Sciences Content Manager at Boundless Learning. Boundless enables students to never have to touch an expensive and boring textbook again by curating the best openly licensed content from the web in a free learning platform. **New Postdoc Orientation** When: Tuesday, October 9, 2012 | 12:30-4:00pm \- Please note that the information below pertains only to postdocs who are working in a QUAD department. Postdocs working in (and receiving pay from) one of our hospital affiliates should contact their department administrator for information regarding orientation and getting settled. The HMS/HSDM Office for Postdoctoral Fellows organizes orientations every 6 weeks for new postdocs. The Postdoc orientation is an important opportunity for new postdocs to obtain the necessary resources they need for living and working in and around the HMS/HSDM community. Postdocs learn about the administrative systems at HMS/HSDM and Harvard, research offices and policies, and receive a broad overview and explanation of the many benefits of working at Harvard. **Understanding the J-1 Visa Status** When: Thursday, October 4, 2012 | 2:30-4:00pm Featured Speaker: Joseph Chen, Advisor to International Students and Scholars, Harvard International Office Most of the HMS international research scholars are in J-1 Research Scholar visa status. This visa permits a scholar to work in the U.S. for a maximum of five years. Since J-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa, it has some restrictions on a scholar’s mobility and long term plan in the U.S. This information session intends to help international scholars understand what the restrictions are, how to overcome these restrictions, what the next visa option is, and when to take necessary action to make a smooth transition. All J-1 scholars, J-2 dependents, and scholars on F-1 OPT are welcome to attend. **Postdoc Movie Night** When: Thursday, September 27, 2012 | 6:00pm Featured Film: The Avengers **EMD Serono: Networking & Info Session** When: Wednesday, September 26, 2012 | 3:00-5:00pm EMD Serono Panelists Include: Joseph Tumang, PhD, Group Leader, ImmunoOncology Platform Robert Hofmeister, PhD,Senior Director, ImmunoOncology & Head of Translational Immunotherapy Postdocs will hear about industry careers from scientists and recruiters at EMD Serono as well as learn more about their new Immuno-Oncology Postdoctoral Program. Postdocs will also have the opportunity to network with the panelists and gain the necessary contacts and information to begin a career in industry. **Postdoc Lounge: Donut & Coffee Morning** When: Thursday, September 26, 2012 | 9:30-11:00am Stop by the Postdoc Office on the third Thursday of every month to enjoy fresh coffee and donuts and to learn more about the opportunities available for postdocs. Bring a copy of your CV for a quick critique by the OPF Director. **NPAW: Reception and Award Ceremony** When: Thursday, September 20, 2012 | 4:30-6:00pm Winners of travel awards for best poster presentation will be announced at the reception. **HMS Postdoc Forum** When: Wednesday, September 19, 2012 | 5:30-6:30pm Featured Speaker: Pierre Stallforth, PhD, Department of BCMP "Metabolomic Analysis of the Social Amoeba’s Bacterial Symbionts Reveals a Highly Adapted Mutualistic Association" The HMS Postdoc Forum is a postdoc-driven event series to promote interdisciplinary scienitific discussion. Postdocs will have the opportunity to: engage in stimulating interdisciplinary scientific discussions; initiate new collaborations; and network with their colleagues across different departments. **NPAW: Hot Talks** When: Wednesday, September 19, 2012 | 2:00-4:00pm Join us for coffee and snacks and hear about the exciting, new research being done by your fellow postdocs. Featured Talks Include: Dane Hazelbaker, BCMP - “Kinetic Competition between RNA Polymerase II and Sen1-dependent Transcription Termination” Matthew Mattozzi, Systems Biology - “Engineering an Alternate Carbon Fixation Pathway” Fatemeh Momen-Heravi , Clinical and Translational Science Center - “New approaches to isolate and characterize microvesicles in biomarker discovery” **NPAW: Postdoc Research Day** When: Tuesday, September 18, 2012 | 5:00-7:00pm The OPF will be hosting the 2nd annual Postdoc Research Day. This poster session will feature the work of postdocs at HMS and HSDM. Outstanding poster presentations will receive $500 travel awards to be presented at Thursday's Reception and Award Ceremony. **NPAW: Peer-to-Peer Mentoring** When: Thursday, September 13, 2012 | 12:00-1:30pm Workshop Led by: Cyril Boyault, PhD, Staff scientist CR2, CNRS, Grenoble University & Former HMS Postdoc, Neurobiology Panelists Include: Laura Lande-Diner, PhD, Postdoc, Neurobiology, HMS Jeanne Salje, PhD, Postdoc, Systems Biology, HMS Peer to peer mentoring is an important means of soliciting feedback from colleagues. This workshop will outline the advantages of postdoc-to-postdoc peer mentoring and demonstrate the practicality of peer groups for promoting professional growth and theoretical discussion. **The Academic Job Search Series: Preparing the Academic Job Package** When: Tuesday, September 11, 2012 | 3:30-5:30pm Come hear from our faculty panelists as they discuss: \- Application best practices and potential pitfalls - \- What to include in the cover letter, CV, and research proposal - \- How to manage the application process - Workshop Led by: Sandeep Robert Datta, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Neurobiology, HMS Panelists Include: Angela DePace, PhD, Assistant Professor of Systems Biology, HMS Judith Glaven, PhD, Associate Dean for Basic and Interdisciplinary Research, HMS Stephen Liberles, PhD, Assistant Professor of Cell Biology, HMS Peter Sorger, PhD, Professor of Systems Biology, HMS **Poster Making 101: Designing Posters for Conferences and Symposia** When: Thursday, August 30, 2012 | 2:00-3:30pm Featured Speaker: Beth Beighlle, Digital Imaging Coordinator, Harvard Medical School Develop proper techniques for an efficient & pain-free way to construct posters. Maximize your message with images, illustrations & text by using PowerPoint & Photoshop to create large format documents that print properly. **New Postdoc Orientation** When: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 | 12:30-4:00pm \- Please note that the information below pertains only to postdocs who are working in a QUAD department. Postdocs working in (and receiving pay from) one of our hospital affiliates should contact their department administrator for information regarding orientation and getting settled. **Postdoc Lounge: Donut & Coffee Morning** When: Thursday, August 23, 2012 | 9:30-11:00am Stop by the Postdoc Office on the third Thursday of every month to enjoy fresh coffee and donuts and to learn more about the opportunities available for postdocs. Bring a copy of your CV for a quick critique by the OPF Director. **The Academic Job Search Series: Professional Correspondence To Land the Job** When: Wednesday, August 22, 2012 | 3:00-4:00pm Featured Speaker: Kathy Brenner, Writing Consultant, Harvard School of Public Health Scientists are not usually trained to efficiently and effectively communicate with colleagues and potential employers. However, these skills are crucial to setting yourself apart from a vast pool of qualified applicants. Brenner will outline proper email etiquette and provide tools for crafting sucessful cover letters and job applications. **Career Discussion Hour** When: Tuesday, August 21, 2012 | 3:00-4:00pm Zoe Fonseca-Kelly, PhD, Program Director, Office for Faculty Affairs, HMS Zoe Fonseca-Kelly, Ph.D. joined the Office of Faculty Affairs as a Program Director for Faculty Affairs in June 2012. **Summer Fun Event Series: Outdoor Movie Night** When: Thursday, Augut 16, 2012 | 8:30pm Enjoy a movie under the stars on the HMS Quad. There will be FREE fresh popcorn, but bring your own beverages. And don't forget a blanket or lawn chair to lounge on. Come early to get a good seat; you don't want to miss it! Featured Film: "The Hunger Games" **The Academic Job Search Series: Postdoc to PI Panel** When: Wednesday, August 8, 2012 | 3:00-4:30pm Come hear from a panel of fellow postdocs who have been “on the market” discussing their experiences (both good and bad) on searching, applying, landing, and negotiating a faculty position. This is an informal event intended to provide you with the opportunity to learn from those who have gone before you! Hear what other postdocs think about the process, do’s and don’ts, blunders and successes - hopefully with a good dash of humor. Panelists Include: Patrick Allard, PhD, Dept. of Genetics Amy Brock, PhD, Dept. of Systems Biology Danny Ducat, PhD, Dept. of Systems Biology Russell Ray, PhD, Dept. of Genetics **Career Discussion Hour** When: Thursday, July 26, 2012 | 1:30-2:30pm Johanna Gutlerner, PhD, Associate Director of the Curriculum Fellows Program & Instructor in BCMP, Harvard Medical School As a PhD student, Johanna characterized the mechanism of a new form of synaptic plasticity at excitatory synapses on dopamine cells in part of the brain critical for processing reinforcing stimuli. Johanna joined the Harvard Medical School’s Curriculum Fellows Program in 2008 to learn more about curriculum development and educational scholarship. Find out more about Johanna and the Curriculum Fellows at HMS: **Summer Fun Event Series: George's Island Day Trip** When: Saturday, July 21, 2012 Must Arrive: 10:30am (Ferry to depart at 11:00am) Ferry Departure Location: Long Wharf Boston (You are responsible for transportation to/from Long Wharf- [Directions HERE.](http://www.bostonharborislands.org/mainland-piers-long-wharf-north)) Cost to Attend: $5.00 per person Details: The cost to attend will include a ferry ride to and from George's Island and a $5.00 food voucher to use at the snack stand on the island. Once we arrive on George's Island you are free to do as you please. The ferry back to Long Wharf will leave at 5:30pm, but you will also be able to go stand-by on an earlier departing ferry. George’s Island, one of twelve Boston Harbor Islands, is only a 20 minute ferry ride from downtown Boston. George’s Island is home to the historic Fort Warren, a Civil War-era fort known for its graceful granite archways and reputed ghost, the Lady in Black. Visit the new museum, picnic under a shade tree, or enjoy the spectacular views of the harbor. There is something for everyone! **HMS Postdoc Forum** When: Thursday, July 19, 2012 | 5:00-6:30pm Featured Speaker: Matt Mattozzi, PhD, Silver Lab, Department of Systems Biology "Adventures in Metabolic Engineering" The HMS Postdoc Forum is a postdoc-driven event series to promote interdisciplinary scienitific discussion. Postdocs will have the opportunity to: engage in stimulating interdisciplinary scientific discussions; initiate new collaborations; and network with their colleagues across different departments. **Postdoc Lounge: Donut & Coffee Morning** When: Thursday, July 19, 2012 | 9:30-11:00am Stop by the Postdoc Office on the third Thursday of every month to enjoy fresh coffee and donuts and to learn more about the opportunities available for postdocs. Bring a copy of your CV for a quick critique by the OPF Director. **New Postdoc Orientation** When: Tuesday, July 17, 2012 | 12:30-4:00pm \- Please note that the information below pertains only to postdocs who are working in a QUAD department. Postdocs working in (and receiving pay from) one of our hospital affiliates should contact their department administrator for information regarding orientation and getting settled. **Postdoc Movie Night** When: Thursday, June 28, 2012 | 6:00pm Featured Film: The Artist **Communicating Your Science Series: Exploring the Publishing Landscape** When: Wednesday June 27, 2012 | 2:00 - 3:30pm Featured Speaker: Boyana Konforti, PhD, Editor, Cell Reports Boyana just launched Cell Reports, a new high-quality, open-access journal from Cell Press. Join us to learn more about recent trends in scientific publishing, the pros and cons of open-access, and where the peer-review process is headed in the not-so-distant future. Learn more about Cell Reports on their website: **Communicating Your Science Series: Visualizing Your Data** When: Monday, June 25 | 3:00 - 4:30pm \*Recption to follow Featured Speaker: Angela DePace, PhD, Assistant Professor of Systems Biology, HMS Join us for an author talk and book launch party as Angela introduces her recently released book, Visual Strategies: A Practical Guide to Graphics for Scientists and Engineers. Systems biologist Angela DePace demonstrates how small changes can vastly improve the success of a graphic image. She dissects individual graphics, shows why some work while others don't, and suggests specific improvements. Read reviews and find out more about the book here: **Summer Fun Event Series: Ice Cream Social** When: Thursday, June 21, 2012 | 4:30pm Chill out with some ice cream, toss around a frisbee, join in a game of Bocce Ball, or watch the kids get crazy with bubbles! No pressure, no expectations - just good old-fashioned family fun on a summer evening. Don't forget a blanket to lounge on! **Communicating Your Science Series: Navigating the Publication Process** When: Tuesday, June 19, 2012 | 2:00 - 3:30pm Featured Speaker: Judy Glaven, PhD, Associate Dean of Basic and Interdisciplinary Research, HMS Judy Glaven, former Cell Editor, will give an informal presentation on managing publication of your research, providing insight on the role of the professional editor, some do's and don'ts for writing and submitting your paper and more generally on publication and advancing your career. **Communicating Your Science Series: Preparing Your Manuscript** When: Wednesday, June 13, 2012 | 2:00 - 3:30pm Featured Speaker: Becky Ward, PhD, Executive Director, Systems Biology, HMS **New Postdoc Orientation** When: Tuesday, June 5, 2012 | 12:30-4:00pm \- Please note that the information below pertains only to postdocs who are working in a QUAD department. Postdocs working in (and receiving pay from) one of our hospital affiliates should contact their department administrator for information regarding orientation and getting settled. **Postdoc Movie Night** When: Thursday, May 31, 2012 | 6:00pm Featured Film: The Woman in Black **Succeeding in a Global Workplace: Managing the Cultural Transition** When: Wednesday, May 30, 2012 | 2:00 - 3:30pm Featured Speaker: Anne Copeland, PhD, Founder and Executive Director, The Interchange Institute After the honeymoon period when life in the US seems exciting and exotic, many people hit a wall. We’ll take a look at the reasons “culture shock” is a real phenomenon, and how people can manage the transition to a smooth adjustment. We will also discuss parenting in the US, and review the challenges parents of school children face. Find out more about the Interchange Institute: **Imaging Essentials: Preparing Your Images for Publication** When: Thursday, May 24, 2012 | 2:00 - 3:30pm Featured Speaker: Beth Beighlie, Digital Imaging Coordinator, Harvard Medical School So you finally have a 'publication quality' image, now what? Do you know the differences between raster, bitmap, pixel and vector? Can you determine correct file compression, color mode or bit depth? Join us as we cover the fundamentals of image preparation: working across multiple applications; and determining resolution and output strategies that impact the appearance of your data. **Succeeding in a Global Workplace: Understanding the American Socio-Political Landscape** When: Thursday, May 17, 2012 | 2:00 - 3:30pm Featured Speaker: Anne Copeland, PhD, Founder and Executive Director, The Interchange Institute This session will provide an overview of the way US history and geography shapes cultural values and social issues (addressing questions newcomers ask, like “Why does each state get to decide about same-sex marriage?” “Why do we have the gun ownership laws we have?” and “Is there really separation of church and state in the US?”). Find out more about the Interchange Institute: **Postdoc Lounge: Donut & Coffee Morning** When: Thursday, May 17, 2012 | 9:30-11:00am Stop by the Postdoc Office on the third Thursday of every month to enjoy fresh coffee and donuts and to learn more about the opportunities available for postdocs. Bring a copy of your CV for a quick critique by the OPF Director. **Career Discussion Hour** When: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 | 3:00-4:00pm Bodo Stern, PhD, Director of Research Affairs, Harvard FAS Center for Systems Biology Bodo Stern is the Director of Research Affairs at the Harvard FAS Center for Systems Biology since 2006. He joined Harvard from Cell Press, where he worked for 4 years as a Scientific Editor for Cell. He holds an MA in Biochemistry from the University of Tübingen, Germany, and a PhD from University College, London, the latter for his work with Paul Nurse on the fission yeast cell cycle. He did postdoctoral research on mitosis with Andrew Murray at the University of California, San Francisco and Harvard. **Networking in Academia** When: Wednesday, May 9, 2012 | 3:00 - 4:30pm Featured Speaker: Laura Malisheski, PhD, Assistant Director, Graduate Student and Ph.D. Advising, Office of Career Services, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University Networking is not just for those outside the ivory tower. In fact, you may already be networking and not even know it! Shatter the schmoozing stereotype and join us to learn about the many ways networking can advance your academic career, your research, research productivity, and recognition in the field. **How To Be an Effective Mentee** When: Tuesday, May 8, 2012 | 1:30 - 3:30pm Featured Speakers: Melissa Brodrick,HMS Ombudsperson Judith Glaven, Associate Dean for Basic and Interdisciplinary Research, HMS Come hear from our featured speakers about what goes into forging successful mentoring relationships. Learn how to take pro-active steps toward successful mentorship and how to manage your mentors. Examine case studies that highlight strategies to effectively manage conflict and prepare for becoming a mentor. **The Polished Postdoc: Getting Ready for the Next Step** When: Friday, May 4, 2012 | 2:00 - 3:00pm Featured Speaker: Derek Haseltine, M.Ed., Director of Research Career Development & Co-director of the Office of Postdoctoral Scholars, University of Maryland School of Medicine In today's tough job market you have to set yourself apart from other jobseekers to acheive success. Join Derek as he illustrates the importance of presenting yourself in the best possible light. Discussion topics include: -Fine-tuning your CV/resume -Developing new skills -Polishing your professional image -Taking advantage of career development opportunities -Enhancing your visibility **HMS Postdoc Forum** When: Thursday, May 3, 2012 | 4:00-5:30pm Featured Speaker: Keiji Nishida, PhD, Silver Lab, Department of Systems Biology "Playing with and learning from magnetic yeast" The HMS Postdoc Forum is a postdoc-driven event series to promote interdisciplinary scienitific discussion. Postdocs will have the opportunity to: engage in stimulating interdisciplinary scientific discussions; initiate new collaborations; and network with their colleagues across different departments. **Science Policy Careers Symposium** When: Wednesday, May 2, 2012 | 9:30am - 6:00pm This full-day symposium will introduce graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to a wide range of careers in the field of science policy. Attendees will leave the symposium with a better understanding of how to transition from scientific research to policy work, and of opportunities for science policy internships, fellowships and careers in government, non-profits and the private sector. **Postdoc Movie Night** When: Thursday, April 26, 2012 | 6:00pm Featured Film: The Adventures of Tintin **Succeeding in a Global Workplace: Working in a Multicultural Lab - Part 2** When: Wednesday, April 25, 2012 | 2:00 - 3:30pm Featured Speaker: Anne Copeland, PhD, Founder and Executive Director, The Interchange Institute Part II will complete our look at core cultural values then discuss how these affect relationships in the multicultural lab and department, including relationships between lab directors and staff, decision-making about publication authorship, work commitment, and other topics suggested by attendees. **New Postdoc Orientation** When: Tuesday, April 24, 2012 | 12:30-4:00pm \- Please note that the information below pertains only to postdocs who are working in a QUAD department. Postdocs working in (and receiving pay from) one of our hospital affiliates should contact their department administrator for information regarding orientation and getting settled. **Postdoc Lounge: Donut & Coffee Morning** When: Thursday, April 19, 2012 | 9:30-11:00am Stop by the Postdoc Office on the third Thursday of every month to enjoy fresh coffee and donuts and to learn more about the opportunities available for postdocs. Bring a copy of your CV for a quick critique by the OPF Director. **Succeeding in a Global Workplace: Working in a Multicultural Lab - Part 1** When: Wednesday, April 11, 2012 | 2:00 - 3:30pm Featured Speaker: Anne Copeland, PhD, Founder and Executive Director, The Interchange Institute Part I will start with an overview of what culture is, the importance of avoiding judgments based on misguided stereotypes, and how to identify cultural differences (as opposed to personality idiosyncrasies). We will then begin an examination of several core cultural values that exist around the world, using tools to examine our own values, cross-national research comparisons, and case studies. **Career Discussion Hour** When: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 | 3:00-4:00pm Featured Speaker: Pia Kasperkovitz, PhD, Scientist, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Pia Kasperkovitz Ph.D. is a Scientist and leader of immunogenicity research at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. In this role, she coordinates multidisciplinary internal research efforts and outside collaborations with academia and industry. Prior to joining Alnylam in July 2011, she was a Research Fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital and served on the board of the postdoc association (MGPA) to support career development. **HMS Postdoc Forum** When: Thursday, April 5, 2012 | 4:00-5:30pm "Bridging the theorist/experimentalist divide: how can we work together to do better biology?" All postdocs are invited to join us for this open discussion, in which we will explore how to combine the contributions of both theoretical and experimental approaches to make new discoveries in biology. We will have a panel of postdocs who have theoretical backgrounds, or who have transitioned between theoretical and experimental approaches. We will discuss the difficulties of communication between scientists of very different backgrounds, and look at concrete examples of how theory has been used to increase our understanding of a biological system. We hope these discussions will lead to a better understanding of what theory can do for biology, and may even help to establish some new collaborations. About the Forum: The HMS Postdoc Forum is a postdoc-driven event series to promote interdisciplinary scienitific discussion. Postdocs will have the opportunity to: engage in stimulating interdisciplinary scientific discussions; initiate new collaborations; and network with their colleagues across different departments. **Postdoc Movie Night** When: Thursday, March 29, 2012 | NEW TIME: 6:00pm Featured Film: Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows **English Language Conversation Tables** When: Thursday, March 22, 2012 | 12:00 - 1:30pm Presented by the Harvard Bridge Program Join us for this relaxed and social activity, designed to help non-native English speakers strengthen the way they speak about their research! Following a luncheon, small groups of postdocs will speak about their work for 3-5 minutes and then receive feedback from a native English speaker, as well as fellow postdocs. **Resumes, Interviews, and Networking: A three part primer on successful job searching** When: Wednesday, March 21, 2012 | 10:00 - 11:30am -Networking Luncheon to follow- Featured Speaker: Kathy L. Brenner, Writing Consultant, Harvard School of Public Health **Networking Etiquette (with GSAS Dean Margot Gill)** When: Monday, March 19, 2012 | 3:30 - 5:30pm (Reception to follow) We all know networking is important, but what does it really mean in practice? GSAS Dean Margot Gill and Laura Malisheski from OCS will help demystify networking and review critical skills for success as well as share their own personal effective techniques. This interactive workshop will include activities to practice these skills in a relaxed, fun environment. Bring your questions about networking and come develop your schmoozing skills! Registration is required. Please email and include your Harvard affiliation (GSAS student, postdoc) and your department. **Drop-in Resume and CV Reviews** When: Monday, March 19, 2012 | 1:00 - 3:00pm Are you planning to be on the academic or non-academic job market soon, or will you be applying for fellowships or post-docs? Bring a draft of your resume, CV, and/or cover letter for a critique and get ready for your next career step. Drop in for a 15-minute review of your documents. **Career Discussion Hour** When: Wednesday, March 14, 2012 | 3:00-4:00pm Jeffrey R. Scott, PhD, Manager, Preclinical Affairs, C.R. Bard, Inc. Dr. Scott currently leads the Preclinical Affairs group at C.R. Bard, Inc. (Davol) (a global medical device company), and is directly responsible for managing all divisional in vivo and experimental pathology activities related to new soft tissue reconstruction/repair product development. Dr. Scott began his medical device career as a Research Scientist with C.R. Bard, Inc. (Davol) in 2006, and has assumed increase levels of responsibility into his current role over time. **Postdoc Lounge: Donut & Coffee Morning** When: Wednesday, March 14, 2012 | 9:30-11:00am Stop by the Postdoc Office on the third Thursday of every month to enjoy fresh coffee and donuts and to learn more about the opportunities available for postdocs. Bring a copy of your CV for a quick critique by the OPF Director. **New Postdoc Orientation** When: Tuesday, March 13, 2012 | 12:30-4:00pm \- Please note that the information below pertains only to postdocs who are working in a QUAD department. Postdocs working in (and receiving pay from) one of our hospital affiliates should contact their department administrator for information regarding orientation and getting settled. **HMS Postdoc Forum** When: Thursday, March 1, 2012 | 4:00-5:30pm Introductions to: \*Synthetic Biology and potential applications \*Microbial cell biology \*Noise in Biology "Brief Introductions: Three very short primers to three scientific fields" This month we will be running a 'brief introductions' session in which three scientific fields will be introduced. Come along and learn about what's going on in fields outside your own! Talks will include both a general introduction as well as broader discussions such as what are the big unsolved questions, challenges and exciting new directions? **Biomedical Science Writing: For Non-Native English Speakers** When: Wednesday, February 29, 2012 | 9:00am - 12:00pm Featured Speaker: Kathy L. Brenner, Writing Consultant, Harvard School of Public Health For those people who are non-native speakers of English, writing is a difficult skill to master, and writing for journal publication can be a daunting task. This writing workshop for international postdoctoral fellows will focus on English language usage, linguistics and cross-cultural issues involved in Western journal publication. The session will be interactive and participants will leave with an expanded awareness and knowledge of what is expected in journal publication writing. **Postdoc Movie Night** When: Thursday, February 23, 2012 | NEW TIME: 6:00pm Featured Film: Moneyball **Postdoc Lounge: Donut & Coffee Morning** When: Thursday, February 16, 2012 | 9:30-11:00am Stop by the Postdoc Office on the third Thursday of every month to enjoy fresh coffee and donuts and to learn more about the opportunities available for postdocs. Bring a copy of your CV for a quick critique by the OPF Director. **Career Discussion Hour** When: Wednesday, February 15, 2012 | 3:00-4:00pm Han Joo Lee, PhD, Field Application Scientist, GE Healthcare Dr. Han Joo Lee currently works as Field Application Scientist (Pre-clinical Protein Imaging, Detection, and Analysis) at GE Healthcare. He earned a DPhil (PhD) in Virology and Genomics from University of Oxford, UK in 2001. From 2001 to 2005, he was a research fellow at the laboratory of Dr. Jack W. Szostak at Genetics, Harvard Medical School/MGH, where he focused on developing mRNA display based applications. **Drop-in Resume and CV Reviews** When: Monday, February 13, 2012 | 1:00 - 4:00pm Are you planning to be on the academic or non-academic job market soon, or will you be applying for fellowships or post-docs? Bring a draft of your resume, CV, and/or cover letter for a critique and get ready for your next career step. Drop in for a 15-minute review of your documents. **HMS Postdoc Forum** When: Thursday, February 9, 2012 | 3:30-5:00pm Featured Speakers: Kristin Krukenberg, Systems Biology Sabine Akabayov, BCMP Bill Robins, MBIB "The Ins and Outs of Exotic Experimental Technique" Your fellow postdocs will describe their expertise with specialized experimental technique, with particular attention to easy-to-trip-over pitfalls, critical tricks that don't show up in the user manual, and the sorts of problems for which the techniques are particularly suited. Presenters are encouraged to walk us through an example experiment from their research. This week we'll be embarking on a voyage through RNA-Seq, NMR, and Mass Spectrometry. **Just for Scientists: CV, Resume, or Something in Between?** When: Tuesday, February 7, 2012 | 4:00 - 5:30pm Every scientist needs a CV, whether you are planning to pursue a post-doctoral research position, a faculty position, or a position outside academia. Using sample documents that helped scientists land positions in academia and beyond, we will discuss how to optimize the presentation of your relevant skills and experiences in an aesthetically pleasing style that is most appropriate for different types of PhD-level positions. **New Postdoc Orientation** When: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 | 12:30-4:00pm \- Please note that the information below pertains only to postdocs who are working in a QUAD department. Postdocs working in (and receiving pay from) one of our hospital affiliates should contact their department administrator for information regarding orientation and getting settled. **Postdoc Movie Night** When: Thursday, January 26, 2012 | 6:00pm Featured Film: Kung Fu Panda 2 - The Kaboom of Doom **Exploring NIH Careers: Taking Your PhD to the NIH: Postdoctoral and Full-time Positions** When: Friday, January 20, 2012 | 10:00-11:30am This session will cover ways to utilize your PhD at the NIH in both bench and non-bench jobs, from staff scientist, tenure track PI, grant management, tech transfer, science policy and more. Additionally, we will discuss postdoc opportunities at the NIH, including providing an understanding the emphasis on both science and career planning. **Exploring NIH Careers: Careers in Science Education and Outreach: A "How To" Workshop** When: Thursday, January 19, 2012 | 3:00-4:30am This workshop highlights the critical skills necessary for a career in science education and outreach. We will explore what these jobs entail and how you can prepare yourself now for this career step. You will need an understanding of science, a knowledge of the education, communication skills, people and management skills and more. We will discuss how employers measure these skill qualifications, how to find jobs in these areas, and more job specific information. These sessions are intended to augment your career informational interviewing with experts in the field. **Postdoc Lounge: Donut & Coffee Morning** When: Thursday, January 19, 2012 | 9:30-11:00am Stop by the Postdoc Office on the third Thursday of every month to enjoy fresh coffee and donuts and to learn more about the opportunities available for postdocs. Bring a copy of your CV for a quick critique by the OPF Director. **Career Discussion Hour** When: Wednesday, January 18, 2012 | 2:00-3:00pm Phill Jones, PhD, Business Development Consultant, Former Editorial Director, Journal of Visualized Experiments Dr. Jones began his scientific career working with the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, during which time he obtained a Ph.D. from Imperial College, London in plasma and atomic physics. Shortly after graduating, Dr. Jones moved to Massachusetts to begin a post-doctoral fellowship, leading to a junior faculty position in biophysics and bioengineering at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. **HMS Postdoc Forum** When: Thursday, January 12, 2012 | 1:30-3:00pm Featured Speaker: Daniel Ducat, PhD, Department of Systems Biology "Harnessing Cyanobacterial Photosynthetic Potential" The HMS Postdoc Forum is a postdoc-driven event series to promote interdisciplinary scienitific discussion. Postdocs will have the opportunity to: engage in stimulating interdisciplinary scientific discussions; initiate new collaborations; and network with their colleagues across different departments.