<div dir="ltr"><div><div><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify" id="gmail-docs-internal-guid-5cb646d5-87cb-b806-b98b-605abb148f58"><i>On behalf of the MIT PDA Election Committee...</i></p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><br></p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify">Dear MIT Postdocs,</p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><br></p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify">On Monday you will be electing the next group of officers for the MIT PDA that will represent you for the next academic year. We have a lot of great candidates running. Please take a look at their statements below. <br></p><br><div><u>Election details</u><br></div><ul><li>Elections will take place Monday from 1:30-3:30 pm in 76-156. </li><li>Candidates will be allowed to give a short statement and will be requested to answer questions from the audience. </li><li>All MIT Postdocs (Associates and Fellows) are eligible to vote. <u><b>Please bring MIT ID. </b></u></li><li>Paper
ballots will handed out upon registration and collected after all
candidates have given their statements. Voting will be done by
ranked-choice voting and candidates will need to secure a majority of
top votes to be elected. </li><li>Results will be announced by email later that evening. </li></ul>Please send any questions or comments about the election to <a href="mailto:pda-elections@mit.edu" target="_blank">pda-elections@mit.edu</a><br><br></div>Best,<br><br></div>Augusto Tentori<br><div><div><div><br><br>---------------------------------------------------------------------------</div><div><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Sabrina Huber</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Running for: President, Vice President, Recording Secretary</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:36pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">My name is Sabrina Huber and I am a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Biological Engineering. I have been centrally involved in the MIT PDA since my first day at MIT through volunteering at various PDA activities, organizing career panels, initiating a mentoring program with the Professional Development Committee, and most recently, serving as the Interim Vice President. These experiences have been extremely valuable for me and I would like to continue to serve on the PDA Executive Board and be involved in enhancing our Postdoc experience. I thus nominate myself for (Vice)-President and Recording Secretary. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:36pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">My previous positions allowed me to get a deep understanding of the PDA and build a valuable network of people for future collaboration and resource sharing. Furthermore, due to my international background and recent transition from Associate to Fellow, I can directly connect to the majority of you and ensure that your voices and interests are being heard and understood. I am an efficient, organized and approachable person with strong communication, organizational and problem-solving skills. With these qualifications, I will work hard with the other Board members and officers to assure that the MIT PDA continues to succeed in providing guidance and support as well as excellent networking and professional development opportunities for MIT postdocs.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:36pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">If elected, I want to focus on initiatives that grow and diversify our PDA through promoting participation of the majority of postdocs. I look forward to the possibility of (co)-leading this year's’ PDA Executive Board and the opportunity to continue working on improving the lives of postdocs here at MIT. I hope you will vote for me. </span></p><br><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Ahmed Fazly</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Running for: President</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:36pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">I am Ahmed Fazly, a 3</span><span style="font-size:6pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:super">rd</span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline"> year postdoc in the biological engineering department. I was the alumni relations chair of the PDA during the past year. In that capacity, I worked towards increasing networking opportunities with alumni groups such as the MIT Club of Boston. Also, in close collaboration with the PDA professional development committee, I organized numerous professional development opportunities which included the industry mentorship program, "Innovation networking evening with alumni" and the "beyond the bench" career panel. As PDA president, I will continue to work towards maximizing your postdoctoral experience by making more professional development opportunities available to you. In addition, I will be a strong advocate for affordable housing and childcare. One of my signature initiatives will be to provide affordable childcare resources for postdocs.</span></p><br><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Lai Sze Tso</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Running for: Vice President, Community Building Committee Chair</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:36pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">I am running for VP and for the chair of the Community Building Committee. As one of a handful of postdocs from the social sciences, my perspective, research background, and interactions with faculty and administration helps me see other facets of postdoc-PI-faculty interactions. As VP or Chair of Community Building, I would use my skills and insights to develop opportunities for postdocs to better understand how the situation in their home department compares to the conditions in other units of the institute. My primary training is in in-depth interviews, note-taking, ethnographic analysis, intervention design, and program evaluation. These tools are essential in developing the close relationships necessary for working with the MIT PDA President, PDA board members and committee chairs, the larger corps of postdocs and our families to continue moving our agenda forward within MIT. In my research and advocacy work, I study how disadvantaged groups pursue their aspirations and how they use technology to organize for community well-being.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:36pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">In my enthusiasm for joining the efforts of the MIT Postdoc Association, I’ve personally participated in numerous activities and met with many members in our community, US and international scholars, to learn from their experiences. I’ve spoken to postdocs at MIT, in Boston, and at other schools nationally. My preparation includes talking to Dana, as well as other MIT administration to learn about options for PDA initiatives and directions, attending monthly PDA meetings, meeting postdocs and their families in diverse community-building events on campus, across Boston, and out-of-state. I also score-keep and play volleyball at MIT (in PDA Sports). At each venue, I’ve taken time to learn the logistics for how events were organized, which entities and units collaborated as co-sponsors, the involvement of MIT vis-à-vis peer organizations, the cost and timeline for creating these activities, and what our constituents felt was done well or may need modification for future planning.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:36pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">My goal for VP or Community Building is to actively contribute to the well-being of our postdoc members and families. I aim to use my research, teaching, community-outreach and management skills to assist in the facilitating regular meetings with committees, our constituents, and stakeholders who can contribute resources for PDA activities, and to continue growing the amazing array of events that our outgoing community building committee developed this year.</span></p><br><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Behzad Nazari</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Running for: Vice President</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:36pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">My name is Behzad Nazari and I am trying to gain the trust and votes of MIT postdocs to be elected as the vice president of the MIT PDA. Besides a professional engineer and polymer scientist, I think those who know me would attest I am a liberal-minded, caring, and optimistic person. Outside the lab, in the past, I have been involved in activities within graduate students and postdoc communities: 1- At the frontline of Iran’s liberal student movements (at Tehran Polytechnic in my graduate school days during 2008-2011), I was involved in peaceful gatherings to protest the government’s decisions in regards with human rights, electoral system, … for which I proudly paid my fair share of price. 2- At UMaine Grad School, I organized graduate students’ social events. This included mostly bar nights over the course of 2012-2015. 3- At Penn State, I helped with organizing postdoc hikes during 2016. This turned out to be challenging as the ticks and Lyme disease issue broke out later on in 2016.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:36pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">I would say someone with experience in pushing for liberal causes in the streets of Tehran, taking care of ethanol-driven cheerful grad students of UMaine, and shielding postdocs of Penn State against blood- thirsty ticks, could for sure take on the responsibility of being the vice president of the MIT PDA. (This was my best at adding humor to my statement) If elected, as vice president of MIT PDA, I will be a voice for those who want the PDA to fulfill its mission in supporting all MIT postdocs, acting as a bridge between postdocs and the rest of MIT community/system, improving a sense of community, helping the incoming members get plugged in, and keeping networks with the outgoing postdocs. I will also advocate for having more relevant socio-cultural events to improve bonds within our community and with those outside our circle that can be considered as professional connections and beneficial to our blossom. Moreover, I will also be vocal at the PDA meetings to support those who are underrepresented in science/engineering environments.</span></p><br><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Mohammad Azad</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Running for: Vice President, Alumni Committee Chair</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:36pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Mohammad Azad is a postdoctoral associate in prof. Allan Myerson’s research group in Chemical Engineering at MIT. He is working on the development of solid dosage in an innovative miniaturized, automated, and self-contained pharmaceutical drug manufacturing unit as part of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Pharmacy on Demand (PoD) project. He received PhD in Chemical Engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) focused on nanotechnology for pharmaceutical drug’s bioavailability enhancement. Before joining at MIT, he worked as postdoctoral researcher in New Jersey Center for Engineered Particulates (NJCEP) and NSF-Engineering Research Center (ERC). </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:36pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Currently Azad is serving as orientation committee chair in MIT PDA. He closely works with director of Postdoctoral Services, HR, different committee chairs, and Atlas Service Center for smooth operation of new postdocs’ orientation session. He also served as a member of ChemE postdoc advisory board in MIT. Azad and other board members organized several events to benefit ChemE postdocs. At NJIT, Azad worked as Graduate Students Association (GSA) department representative, treasurer of the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) student chapter. Outside of the research, he enjoys traveling, driving, swimming and cooking.</span></p><br><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Muhammad Abir</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Running for: Vice President, Treasurer, Information Flow & IT Support Committee Chair</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:36pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">My name is Muhammad Abir. I obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2009 from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. I earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Nuclear Engineering in 2015 from Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T), formerly known as University of Missouri, Rolla, MO, USA. I am currently employed as a postdoctoral associate at the nuclear reactor laboratory at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). My job description includes designing cutting-edge focusing mirror for radiation imaging applications which will be installed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory, and National Institute of Standard of Technology. Moreover, I am developing non-destructive quality control methods for fabricated nuclear fuels. I am also working at the neutron beamline at MIT and developing neutron diffraction and imaging experiments at MIT reactor. Previously, I worked at Idaho National Laboratory as a postdoctoral research associate from July 2015 until July 2017. As a postdoc, I was awarded DOE’s laboratory director research and development grant (LDRD) as principal investigator (PI) to develop high resolution neutron microscope for neutron computed tomography of nuclear fuels in collaboration with MIT. I also awarded two other LDRD grant as co-PI to evaluate advanced digital neutron imaging system for the post irradiation examination of nuclear fuels and to characterize the neutron beamlines at the neutron radiography reactor at INL. I’ve awarded</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:36pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">DOE’s very competitive nuclear engineering university program (NEUP) grant as co-PI to develop gamma- ray computed and emission tomography for pool-side fuel characterization of irradiated nuclear materials and fuels. I am an active member of the National Postdoctoral Association. Considering my technical expertise, leadership skills and project management skills, I would like to apply for the vice-president position of the upcoming MIT-PDA election. I joined as a postdoc at MIT on July 25, 2017. After joining to MIT, I attended the MIT-PDA BBQ on August 4th, POWER summer BBQ party on August 11th, MIT-PDA monthly meeting held on August 14th, and the postdoc orientation on September 13th. I’d like to actively serve as the vice-president of the MIT-PDA, assist the president whenever needed, assist the management of committees, effectively communicate with institute representatives, carrying out PDA plans, and eventually represent MIT-PDA to the next national postdoctoral association meeting in Cleveland, OH in 2018.</span></p><br><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Kiel Ormerod </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Running for: Vice President </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:36pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">I am currently a postdoctoral research fellow at the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory here at MIT. I have been involved in the MIT PDA for the previous calendar year as the Recording Secretary, and a member of the Postdoc Initiative Grant committee. Previously I served 5 plus years in student governance during graduate school, serving in the roles of President, Vice-president, and departmental representative. I was a member of over 20 university committees during that time. Consequently, I have a lot of experience in university administration, and interacting with faculty, staff, and most importantly, I have years of experience advocating for students/fellows. Over the past year I gained an intimate understanding of: those issues affecting MIT postdocs, the dynamics and inner workings of the MIT PDA, and how MIT postdocs interact within our community. The needs of postdoctoral researchers are incredibly diverse and mercurial. As such, we require a wide variety of resources and services in order to best prepare us not only to execute the objectives of our current day-to-day research and professional needs, but also to best prepare us for our desired future vocations. I will work with the exceptional team members of the upcoming MIT PDA in order to identify and address as many of issues affecting MIT researchers as we can. In addition, I will work with and coordinate the efforts of the MIT PDA in conjunction with the multitude of offices and other services at MIT and ensure that postdocs make the most of their time here. </span></p><br><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Ali Beyzavi</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Running for: Vice President, Postdoc Initiative Grants Committee Chair</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:36pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">I am one of the postdocs at MIT Koch institute and would like to nominate as the Vice President of PDA. Prior to applying for this position I was active in chemE postdoc association. Besides that I have studied and did research in Middle East, Asia and USA. I would like to use my experience from all around the world to help postdocs have a better time at MIT.</span></p><br><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Taeyoon Kyung</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Running for: Treasurer</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:36pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">My interest in running for the Treasurer position is motivated by two factors, 1) willingness to serve grateful MIT postdoc community as a return for helping my rapid adjustment to MIT society and 2) my past one-year experience as a treasurer during an undergraduate study. For past 8 months since I started my postdoc training at MIT, MIT PDA granted me delightful opportunities for me to rapidly adapt to Boston/MIT life including those from powerful orientation to diverse sports, networking, and career-related events. I decided to take a part in this association as a committee member to voluntarily serve diverse occasions MIT PDA organizes, and perhaps offer future new and current postdocs to acquire comfort and pleasure that I have been attaining. Given a personal trait of myself in which I tend to be more active and focused in an organization when certain pressure and responsibility are put on my shoulders, I decided to might well as run for an officer position. Treasurer was an exciting position I had a chance to enjoy in my undergraduate year. I spent a year as a planning team leader/treasurer in an organization called ISO (international student organization) from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) where we basically assisted foreign exchange students to fully adapt to Korean society through varied social events, and my role was to allocate total budget of approximately $3,000/year to different teams and each distinct event. Although the budget size that I managed only accounts for about 10% of what treasurer of MIT PDA might be handling, my past experience as a treasurer gives me strong confidence that I will be able to successfully serve treasurer position for all postdocs here at MIT. </span></p><br><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Sonia Iyer</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Running for: Corresponding Secretary</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:36pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">I am Sonia Iyer, postdoctoral fellow in the Weinberg lab. During graduate school, I served as an Editor-in-chief of the inaugural life science magazine and was elected as the joint-secretary for the society of Biotechnology, and secretary for graduate students association where I was involved in organizing several events. I am interested in submitting my nomination for the Corresponding Secretary position to get actively involved in MIT PDA activities.</span></p><br><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Soroush Vosoughi</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Running for: Recording Secretary, Human Affairs Committee Chair, Orientation Committee Chair</span></p><br><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Mirna Daye</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Running for: Advocacy Committee Chair, Information Flow & IT Support Committee Chair</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">I am Mirna Daye, postdoc at the earth, atmosphere and planetary sciences department (EAPS). I have been at MIT for about three years and acquired such great experience. I spent most of my time at campus, one of the obvious reasons is the work load and most importantly is feeling like home at MIT. It is such a vibrant and diverse place that I feel attached to and want to contribute and serve MIT community. For these reasons, I want to contribute as a chair for the advocacy committee. I am interested because I want to advocate for the rights of MIT postdocs. One of the different rights and benefits that I think it is important and should advocate for include: higher salaries for MIT postdocs, life style (working hours, vacation days), intellectual property, the right to pursue a degree at MIT or other institution while being a postdoc and so many on my list. Thank you and let us hope for better future for postdocs. For these reasons, I want to contribute and serve as a chair IT/information flow committee. Thank you and I hope to be a good candidate for the position and serve the community.</span></p><br><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Thomas Matarazzo</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Running for: Advocacy Committee Chair</span></p><br><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Zhen Cao</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Running for: Advocacy Committee Chair, Professional Development Committee Chair</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:36pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">My name is Zhen Cao. I am a Postdoctoral Associate from Alfredo Alexander-Katz’s group in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. My research focuses on the transport mechanism of lithium ions on polyelectrolytes for batteries. I received my PhD in polymer science from the University of Akron, Master in polymer science from the University of Connecticut, and Bachelor’s degree from Zhejiang University in China. I am interested in running for the Professional Development Committee Chair. Securing a tenure-tracked position in academia is more difficult than ever and sometimes even takes over a decade of postdoctoral training. Searching for alternatives outside academia becomes urgent and necessary for many of us. I often jump out of my comfort zones to explore career opportunities in industry, the financial sector, and consulting. Although I have only been at MIT for two months, I have attended several career-building related events which have been very informative and helpful.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:36pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">My qualifications for running for this position include the following: Leadership Experience: I initialized and chaired a student seminar series for two years in graduate school, during which I invited speakers with diverse backgrounds and hosted 30 presentations on both research and career development. I have organized various events for Zhejiang University (ZJU) alumni association. Recently, I am co-chairing the Annual Conference of ZJU Alumni in North America. With these experiences, I am capable of planning and organizing activities efficiently. Interdisciplinary Background: I have a chemistry and materials engineering focused Bachelor’s degree, while my PhD research lays within physics, mechanics, and computer modeling. As my major is polymer science, I understand soft matter including bio-related fields. Additionally, I have developed a strong interest in economics and finance as well. My interdisciplinary background allows me to have a macroscopic and balanced view, which enables me to serve this community with varied professional development goals. While there are numerous information sessions and symposiums that take place here, what I have identified as the key to success for professional development is long-standing mentorship. We need individuals who can effectively guide us in pursuing our goals based on their experiences. If I were to chair this committee, I hope to expand this mentoring program. This would be done by identifying the needs of this community, increasing the number of senior mentors (MIT alumni and industry experts), and connecting postdocs with these mentors who have pursued similar paths that you wish to follow.</span></p><br><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Jake Martin</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Running for: Fundraising Committee Chair, Postdoc Initiative Grants Committee Chair</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">I have been involved in the PDA for two years now, first as the Orientation chair and then as the Treasurer, so I am very familiar with the roles of each chair, the progress that has been made, and the next steps for further improvement. I would next like to contribute to either the PInG or Fundraising committees because I think these committees are currently a little underappreciated in the roles they play as part of the PDA. In the past, the Postdoc Initiative Grants have kickstarted some great postdoc-led projects, several of which have become self-sustaining, and I would like to help bring additional ideas online. Fundraising has been acknowledged as needing improvement for a couple of years now, and I think that my organizational and networking skills can help in that effort. Please consider voting for me.</span></p><br><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Andreas Steinbacher</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Running for: Fundraising Committee Chair</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:36pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">My name is Andreas Steinbacher and I have just started my second year as a PostDoc at MIT in the Chemistry department. I served as a co-chair (and took over the position as chair in the summer this year) of the fundraising committee last year already. We organized a successful vendor fair in the Stata Center and I already took the first steps to organize another one in spring next year. Additionally, I worked together with the sports committee to get more funds for free food after their sports events. Moreover, I am in the process of getting continuous funding for the weekly PDA newsletter, for which we already have approval from MIT officials. Thus, to be able to continue the above mentioned work I want to be re-elected as fundraising committee chair. If I get elected I would be happy to work together with other committees to improve their funding situation.</span></p><br><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Neetesh Singh</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Running for: Sports Committee Chair</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:36pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">I would like to nominate myself for the sports committee chair for the upcoming election. I have been in this position for last 2 months and have been enjoying, and I believe, bringing positive changes to the structure of the PDA sports. My objectives are: Exciting interest in social sports amongst postdocs, Collaboration with other groups (i.e. GSC, BPDA etc), Increasing funds (through ads, collaboration etc.), Starting new games, Taking part in intramural games. Previous experience: Activities planned: Indoor and outdoor volleyball (lead by me) and soccer (which is lead by Amir). Pizza in Muddy’s pub after volleyball. Attendance and new collaboration : Attendance up to 20 people with mixed skill level in volleyball, Joined forces with GSC, Trying to work with Boston postdoc association (BPDA) for joint events. Things to be improved: Probably need to find a better (looked after to certain extent) court. For example, Harvard has better courts with nets on all the time. Or somehow influence the facility to improve the standard of court at MIT. Contacting east campus authority didn’t make any changes.</span></p><br></div></div></div></div>