<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="color:#351c75"><div class="gmail_default"><span id="m_5207838237921653563m_885873069188374165gmail-docs-internal-guid-f669f196-7fff-747b-70ed-2771c99f957e"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Dear MIT Postdoc community,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">We are excited to open nominations for the </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-weight:700;font-style:italic;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">MIT PDA Excellence in Postdoctoral Mentoring Award 2024!</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">The goal of the award is to honor and acknowledge principal investigators (PIs) for excellent postdoctoral scholar mentoring, and to recognize both the value of quality mentoring and its impact on the career path of postdoctoral scholars. It will highlight the unique opportunities and challenges of mentoring postdoctoral scholars, who are poised to become the next generation of academic and scientific leaders. This award is seen as an effective way to spread the culture of awareness of the critical role the faculty play in the academic/career development of postdoctoral scholars, and further, to recognize the importance of postdoctoral scholars to MIT’s mission. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">We take this opportunity to once again congratulate Prof. Muriel Médard and Prof. Jesse Kroll, previous winners of the award. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">To nominate your PI, please upload your nomination </span><a href="https://forms.gle/Lvevi6kaQDvyT8o48" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline">here</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"> where you outline why your PI should receive this award following the criteria defined below! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.295;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><br></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline">Eligibility and </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline">Award Categories</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;margin-top:14pt;margin-bottom:14pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Previous winners of the award will not be considered for the award this year. Nominations for all other PIs, including those who were nominated last year, are welcomed. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Current MIT faculty, principal research scientists, and senior research scientists, who are in good standing at MIT, mentoring current postdoctoral scholars are eligible for the award. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;margin-top:14pt;margin-bottom:14pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">This year, the award will have two categories:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;margin-top:14pt;margin-bottom:14pt"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">1) </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-style:italic;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Early Career Mentor Award</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><b>:</b> Mentors with less than 8 years of postdoctoral mentoring experience will be considered for this category. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;margin-top:14pt;margin-bottom:14pt"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">2) </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-style:italic;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"> Established Mentor Award</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><b>:</b> Mentors with 8 or more years of postdoctoral mentoring experience will be considered for this category.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;margin-top:14pt;margin-bottom:14pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"> </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline">Nomination Process</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;margin-top:14pt;margin-bottom:14pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">The primary nomination must be submitted by a current MIT postdoctoral scholar, who may organize supporting statements from additional current and former postdoctoral scholars. The nominating postdoc can write a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) highlighting different aspects from all supporting statements. We accept only one nomination for a PI and expect current postdoctoral scholars in the group to coordinate among themselves to submit only a single nomination. The nomination need not mention the category.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline">Criteria</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;margin-top:14pt;margin-bottom:14pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">The nominees will be reviewed based on demonstrated strengths in some or all of the following areas:</span></p><ul style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><li dir="ltr" style="margin-left:15px;list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;margin-top:14pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Excellence in fostering and encouraging professional skills development and growth towards independence</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="margin-left:15px;list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Ability to foster an inclusive work environment where postdoctoral mentees across a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives are empowered to engage in the mentee-mentor relationship</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="margin-left:15px;list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Ability to support postdoctoral mentees in their pursuit of a chosen career path</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="margin-left:15px;list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:14pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">A commitment to a continued professional mentoring relationship with mentees, beyond the limit of the postdoctoral term</span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Nominations will close on </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">04/12/2024 at 11:59</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><b> PM EST</b>. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><br></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">If you have any questions or concerns, please contact</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"> </span><a href="mailto:pda-alumni@mit.edu" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(0,0,255);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline">pda-alumni@mit.edu</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-style:italic;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Best wishes,</span></p><p style="line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-style:italic;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Your PDA</span></p></span><br></div><div style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div style="max-width:470px;margin:8px 0px 8px 8px"><i><font face="arial, sans-serif" color="#0b5394"><span class="gmail_default" style="color:rgb(53,28,117)"></span>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</font></i></div><div style="max-width:470px;margin:8px 0px 8px 8px"><i><font face="arial, sans-serif" color="#0b5394"><span class="gmail_default" style="color:rgb(53,28,117)"></span></font></i><i style="color:rgb(32,33,36)"><font face="arial, sans-serif" color="#0b5394">Vipindev Adat Vasudevan</font></i></div><div style="color:rgb(32,33,36);max-width:470px;margin:8px 0px 8px 8px"><i><font face="arial, sans-serif" color="#0b5394">MIT PDA Alumni Committee Chair</font></i></div><div style="max-width:470px;margin:8px 0px 8px 8px"><i><font face="arial, sans-serif" color="#0b5394">P<span class="gmail_default" style="color:rgb(53,28,117)"></span>ostdoctoral Associate</font></i><br></div><div style="max-width:470px;margin:8px 0px 8px 8px"><font color="#0b5394" face="arial, sans-serif"><i>Network Coding and Reliable Communications Group</i></font></div><div style="max-width:470px;margin:8px 0px 8px 8px"><font color="#0b5394" face="arial, sans-serif"><i>Massachusetts Institute of Technology</i></font></div><div style="max-width:470px;margin:8px 0px 8px 8px"><i><font face="arial, sans-serif" color="#0b5394">---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</font></i></div></div></div></div></div></div>