Weekly PDA Newsletter - March 12, 2017

Sun Mar 12 16:48:59 EDT 2017

Dear MIT Postdocs,

Make sure to stop by the 2017 PDA Vendor Fair on Tuesday, March 14 in the
Stata Center from 2-5pm! If you are interested in volunteering for the
event, please email  David Veysset (david.veysset at gmail.com).  Anyone
willing to volunteer will get a free PDA t-shirt and will also be entered
into the prize raffle which includes Amazon gift cards.

Cheers,

Meghan

-----

Dr. Meghan Huber

Corresponding Secretary

Postdoctoral Association of MIT (PDA)

Follow the MIT-PDA on social media!

MIT-PDA

website <http://pda.mit.edu>

Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/groups/44093460815/>

Twitter <https://twitter.com/MITPDA>

Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/mitpda/>

LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2506720/profile>

Boston-PDA

website <http://bostonpostdocs.org/>

NEXT MIT-PDA MEETING

Monday, March 13, 2017

12:00pm

Rm E25-101

Lunch will be provided!

REGISTER HERE
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1-vT1gzgyik3JHFWaRgQwAVeVoiaoQFK7iP2MO4dtKwo/viewform>

Please join us for our monthly MIT-PDA meeting! Get involved with any of
the various committees (e.g., sports, advocacy, committee, community
building) and have your voice heard. This is a great opportunity meet your
fellow postdocs on campus!

MIT-PDA NEWS AND EVENTS

Events

2017 MIT Postdoctoral Association Vendor Fair

Hosted by the MIT-PDA Fundraising Committee

Mark your calendars! On Tuesday, March 14th, 2017 the PDA will host a
vendor fair in the "student street" of the Ray and Maria Stata Center. This
is a great opportunity to meet sales representatives of a wide range of
companies (start-ups as well as the big players) where you typically order
goods and equipment for the laboratory. This is the chance to meet the real
people behind the products and not only the checkout webpage of the
eCatalog. Besides all these vendors MIT WorkLife Center, MIT Libraries, and
the International Scholars Office will also be present with valuable
resources for you. There will be a raffle where you can win Amazon gift
cards and PDA T-shirts! And most importantly - we have free food! Join us
and get in touch with companies and your fellow PostDocs.

Date and Time  Tuesday, March 14, 2:00 - 5:00 PM

Location Stata Center

Registration To join the raffle you must register via Eventbrite (
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/mit-postdoctoral-association-12804997902) or
on-site.

Weekly Board Game Nights

Hosted by the MIT-PDA Community Building Committee, MIT-GSC, and CSAIL

MIT-PDA, along with GSC and the CSAIL departments, are happy to announce
that we will be having weekly board game nights on Friday evenings. Please
contact Jon Gjengset (jon at thesquareplanet.com) if you have any questions
regarding the venue or the time.

Date  Friday, March 17, 6 PM

Location Stata Center, 32-D463

New PDA and Strategic Games Society (SGS) Partnership

MIT-PDA is happy to announce a new partnership for the board games nights
with the MIT Strategic Games Society (MIT-SGS). It is now free for Postdocs
to join the weekly board games nights hosted by the MIT-SGS. Moreover, you
can bring your non-MIT friends for a small fee of $5 per year. SGS meets
every Friday at 7PM in MIT Building 50-316 (Walker Memorial Hall, Floor 3,
Room 16) for  board games and card games,. Gaming sessions typically go
until around 12-2 AM. For more information about the board game branch of
SGS, contact the officers <sgs-officers at mit.edu>.

PDA Event Feedback Survey

Please take a couple of minutes to answer the following survey about the
recent events hosted by the PDA Community Building committee (Valentine’s
Social and Swing Dance Night). It's short and your feedback would help us
improve our events in the future.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QND2566https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QND2566
<https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QND2566>

Postdoc Orientation Sessions

The PDA offers Postdoc Orientation Sessions open to all postdocs at MIT.
Topics covered include:

   -

   Data on postdoc population at MIT

   -

   MIT oversight of postdocs
   -

   Defining postdoc expectations
   -

   Differences between fellows and associates
   -

   PDA structure and initiatives
   -

      How to get involved

The sessions will be typically the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at 12pm
(45-60min) in E49-5145. Lunch will be provided. The dates for the semester
are as follows: March 20, April 3, April 24, May 22. If you are interested
in participating, you can register via Atlas or here
<http://web.mit.edu/training/course.html?course=CDT21061c>.

GLIMPSE (PDA PInG Initiative)

If you would like to be interviewed by GLIMPSE podcast or would like to
help with the podcast (music, logo, artwork), please contact us at
glimpse.podcast at gmail.com. For more information, please visit us at:
http://glimpse.mit.edu/

OTHER MIT AND LOCAL EVENTS

This Week

Practice Mindfulness to Improve Well-being and Resiliency

Hosted by the MIT Work-Life Center

This program introduces the basic principles and practices of mindfulness,
a concentrated state of awareness that helps people see and respond to
situations with greater clarity. Individuals who employ the techniques of
mindfulness in their work are able to monitor moment-to-moment
effectiveness, respond promptly and appropriately to difficulties as they
arise, and remain open to new ideas and perspectives. Participants will be
introduced to meditation practices that will teach them how to be more
focused, creative, and resilient in all aspects of their lives.
Presenter – Paul
R. Fulton <http://hrweb.mit.edu/worklife/seminars/bios#Paul>, Ed.D., M.S.;
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Mindfulness-Based Learning and Founding
Member, Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy

Date and Time Tuesday, March 14, 12:00 - 1:30 PM

Location 76-156

Registration Register at
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/practice-mindfulness-to-improve-well-being-and-resiliency-registration-31296326154

Exploring PhD Career Options in Higher Education: A Panel

Hosted by MIT Global Education and Career Development

Attendees will learn about career options for PhDs that are not faculty
positions at research-intensive universities. This includes
teaching-oriented faculty positions at colleges and universities, teaching
and online learning, and additional areas.

Date and Time Tuesday, March 14, 5:00 - 6:30 PM

Location 4-270

Registration Pre-registration requested via CareerBridge
<https://www.myinterfase.com/mit/student>.

Basics of Scientific Writing

Hosted by the MIT Office of the Vice President for Research

Dr. Sonal Jhaveri (Science Program Director, Postdoc and Graduate Student
Affairs Office, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute) will discuss the basics of
how to write a research paper that is targeted for publication in a
professional journal. Dr. Jhaveri is an MIT alumna (BS, MS). She received
her PhD from Harvard University, has been Principal Investigator on a
number of grants from NIH, NSF and other private foundations, has
co-authored 60 professional articles, and has consulted on a number of
science and medical writing projects. She teaches Science Communication and
Language Skills to graduate and medical students as well as to postdocs at
MIT and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Date and Time Wednesday, March 15, 2:00 - 3:30 PM

Location Singleton Auditorium, 46-3002

Registration Register at https://goo.gl/forms/L8juSBDX2jQI9cUg2

Choose to Reuse

Hosted by Working Green Committee, Staff for Sustainability, MIT Recycling
Program

Reduce, reuse, recycle! Drop off starting at 8:00 AM. Take five free items
from 11:00 AM to 12:20 PM. No limit from 12:20-1:00 PM. You don't have to
give to get. You just have to want to save the planet! MIT ID required. For
more details, check out this website:

http://web.mit.edu/facilities/ChoosetoReuse_FAQ_oct2016.pdf

Date and Time Thursday, March 16, 8:00am-1:00pm

Location 32-first floor, Lobby with big mirror

BOE Tech Talk—VR Technology Trend Analysis & High Resolution Display
Solutions

Hosted by MIT CSAIL Alliances

BOE Technology Group is a major innovator and supplier of IoT technologies,
products and services whose products are now widely used in mobile phones,
tablets, TVs, vehicle displays, wearables and more. The company has
registered over 6,100 new patent applications in 2015 and now has over
40,000 usable patents, globally ranking #1 in the industry. BOE also has
the highest market share of display panels for mobile phones and tablets.
Evan Zhang, Director of Future Technology & Management team at BOE America,
will talk on trends and key factors guiding VR technology development,
including high-resolution displays, fast transmission and smart
interaction. Eric Xu, Chief Executive Officer of BOE Technology America,
will also present BOE’s corporate strategy and innovation projects.

Date and Time Thursday, March 16, 3:00 - 4:00pm

Location 32-D463

Registration Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/boe-tech-talkvr-technology-trend-analysis-high-resolution-display-solutions-tickets-32736111591

AI at Mercedes-Benz: Artificial Intelligence in Automotive Engineering and
Future Vehicle

Hosted by MIT CSAIL Alliances

Due to increasing amounts of computable big data and parallel computing,
artificial intelligence has changed from a theory to an applied method in
many sciences as well as in first engineering applications. In this
presentation the recent achievements in deep learning and the potential of
AI to boost both engineering and manufacturing processes is illustrated.
Therefore, selected examples from literature are discussed from highly
automated design of mechanical components in next generation CAX-systems up
to cognitive quality assurance in manufacturing. Moreover, industrial
prerequisites to gain that potential are shown.

Date and Time Thursday, March 16, 4:30 - 5:30pm

Location 32-G882

Registration Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aimercedes-benz-artificial-intelligence-in-automotive-engineering-and-future-vehicles-tickets-32665118248

Informational Interviewing 101

Hosted by MIT Global Education and Career Development

Informational interviewing is an effective, low-pressure form of
networking, and a valuable tool for both career exploration and job search.
Come learn the basics of informational interviewing, including who to speak
with, how to set one up, potential questions to ask, and tips on how to
make the most of informational interviews.

Date and Time Thursday, March 16, 4:00 - 5:00 PM

Location E19-202

Registration Pre-registration requested via CareerBridge
<https://www.myinterfase.com/mit/student>.

How to Optimize Your Professional Online Presence

Hosted by the MIT Work-Life Center

In this workshop, learn what it takes to really shine online. In this
session, you will explore what makes a great professional website, how to
improve your LinkedIn profile, and review what other social media platforms
have to offer. This workshop will help you: improve what people see about
you online; network for long-term career success; find a better job; and
increase your industry-specific learning. Presenter – Stephanie Leishman
<http://hrweb.mit.edu/worklife/seminars/bios#Stephanie>, B.A.; Founder,
Apiarity

Date and Time Friday, March 17, 12:00 - 1:00 PM

Location NE49-5000

Registration Register at
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-optimize-your-professional-online-presence-registration-31297358241

Next Week

Kids Clothing Exchange

Hosted by the MIT Spouses & Partners Connect

Drop off: 9:30am-11am / Pick up: 11am-12:00pm. The event is open to the
public from 11am-12pm. ----> The exchange will include kids clothing,
outerwear, shoes, toys and books for children ages 0-5. Items will be
organized by gender and size so you can quickly find what you need for your
growing little ones. You do not need to bring clothes to participate!

Date and Time Monday, March 20, 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Location W35 - Zesiger Sports Center Lobby

Networking

Hosted by MIT Global Education and Career Development

At this workshop, you will: learn and practice how to network (in a
practical and supportive environment); address barriers to networking, such
as "This is uncomfortable. I feel weird. I don't want to be too pushy.";
develop strategies for networking; and become familiar with resources for
networking.

Date and Time Monday, March 20, 2:00 - 3:00 PM

Location E19-202

Registration Pre-registration requested via CareerBridge
<https://www.myinterfase.com/mit/student>.

Exploring Careers in Nonprofits: A Panel

Hosted by MIT Global Education and Career Development

Join us to hear from a panel of MIT alumni and professionals working in
nonprofit organizations across medicine, science, education, and
consulting. Learn what it's like to work at a nonprofit or start your own,
gather tips about entering the field, hear advice on how to position
yourself for success, and gain a better understanding of the opportunities
that might be available to you in this space. Nonprofit organizations
accomplish important work and can be found in almost any industry!
Panelists include: Roseanna H. Means, MD (BS 76, MSc 77), Founder and
President, Health Care Without Walls, Julie McNamara (MS 14), Energy
Analyst, Union of Concerned Scientists, Ricky Richardson (BS 12),
Entrepreneurship Education Associate, The Possible Project, and Tanya
Inwald, Lead Consultant, Social Innovation Forum.

Date and Time Monday, March 20, 5:30 - 7:00 PM

Location E19-202

Registration Pre-registration requested via CareerBridge
<https://www.myinterfase.com/mit/student>.

Academic Belonging - Journal Club Meeting

Hosted by MIT Office of the Dean for Undergraduate Education and MIT
Teaching and Learning Laboratory

The Teaching and Learning Lab, supported by MIT's MindHandHeart initiative,
is hosting a variety of events to engage the MIT community in discussions
of the literature on academic belonging with the goal of identifying
department and subject based strategies to increase students' sense of
belonging.This meeting is for anyone interested in exploring the literature
about students' sense of belonging in academic departments as a precursor
to Dr. Catherine Good's April 4th interactive seminar on the same subject.
The following readings will be the focus of discussion at this meeting: (1)
Good, C., Rattan, A., & Dweck, C. S. (2012). Why do women opt out? Sense of
belonging and women's representation in mathematics
<http://tll.mit.edu/sites/default/files/library/Good%2C%20Rattan%2C%20%26%20Dweck%202012.pdf>.
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 102(4), 700. (2) Cheryan, S.,
Plaut, V. C., Davies, P. G., & Steele, C. M. (2009). Ambient belonging: how
stereotypical cues impact gender participation in computer science
<http://tll.mit.edu/sites/default/files/library/Cheryan_2009.pdf>. Journal
of Personality and Social Psychology, 97(6), 1045.

Date and Time Wednesday, March 22, 12:00 - 1:00 PM

Location E19-607

Registration The event is free, but registration
<http://tll.mit.edu/design/you-belong-mit> is appreciated.

Exploring Careers in Global Healthcare: A Panel

Hosted by MIT Global Education and Career Development

Grow your meaning of making a difference in healthcare. Take part in a
discussion focused on diverse perspectives in global healthcare related to
ethics, innovation, entrepreneurship, policy, and cultural competency.
Engage with panelists as they share their successes and challenges in a
field that continues to evolve internationally and makes strides to address
complex health issues.

Date and Time Wednesday, March 22, 5:30 - 7:00 PM

Location E19-202

Registration Pre-registration requested via CareerBridge
<https://www.myinterfase.com/mit/student>.

BPDA Careers Networking Pub Night at Meadhall

Hosted by the Boston Postdoctoral Association

Please join the Boston PDA for a fun night of networking at Meadhall!

Meet your fellow postdocs and rub elbows with industry professionals from
local Biotech and Pharma companies. We'll have lots of excellent hors
d'ouvres and our space will be staffed by bartenders eager to serve your
favorite adult beverage from our cash bar.

Date and Time Wednesday, March 22, 6:00 - 8:30 PM

Location Meadhall, 4 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA

Registration Register here: https://bpdanetworking3.eventbrite.com

Exploring Careers in Data Science: A Panel

Hosted by MIT Global Education and Career Development

Data scientists work with enormous data sets, often from unconventional,
unwieldy, nonlinear sources. Some develop innovative technology to work
with that data. Some focus on techniques to derive meaningful implications
from that data. Job titles vary and may include data engineer, data
scientist, statistician, and data analyst. Whatever their title, there is
currently a dramatic shortage of these professionals in the country and in
the world. At our GECD Data Science Careers panel, alumni and
representatives from different industries will talk about the way their
company is using data science, and the career paths opening up in this
burgeoning field.

Date and Time Thursday, March 23, 5:30 - 7:00 PM

Location E19-202

Registration Pre-registration requested via CareerBridge
<https://www.myinterfase.com/mit/student>.

International Community Coffee Hour

Hosted by MIT International Students Office

Join us every 2nd and 4th Friday! Meet with fellow international students
and share your ideas and concerns. Let's support each other in the current
political climate. Light breakfast served. Led by students, sponsored by
ISO International Council and ISO.

Date and Time Friday, March 24, 10:00 - 11:00 AM

Location E19-202

CHECK OUT THESE SITES FOR ADDITIONAL EVENTS

postdocs.mit.edu (Office VPR)

MIT GECD Events <https://gecd.mit.edu/mit-events>

MIT Spouses&Partners Events <http://spouses.mit.edu/mit-events>

MIT Events <http://events.mit.edu/>

Boston PDA Events <http://bostonpostdocs.org/events-calendar/>

Mass-AWIS Events <http://mass-awis.org/category/events-calendar/>

MIT RESOURCES FOR POSTDOCS

MBTA Access

As a reminder, all postdoctoral fellows and postdoctoral associates on
MIT’s Cambridge campus are eligible for free, unrestricted subway and local
bus access. MIT is providing ID cards with a special MBTA* chip inside that
will provide this access. (*Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority). If
you received a new MIT ID card on or after June 21 (or after August 9, in
the case of many postdoctoral fellows), check the back of your ID card. If
“Charlie INSIDE!” is written on it, you are all set, and already have
access. If not, you can visit the Card Office (W20-020) with your current
MIT ID card to swap it for one with the MBTA chip inside it. The Card
Office is open between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.

FREE Mindfulness and Meditation Classes from MIT Medical

Find Some Om Under the Dome

MIT Libraries is offering drop-in meditation and relaxation sessions.
Please join us for silent meditation in the Barker reading room. Sit for a
minute, or 30. Beginners welcome - no experience necessary. Every Monday at
noon in the Barker Dome of Barker Engineering Library (10-500). Please
arrive promptly. Registration is required.
<https://medical.mit.edu/community/wellness/classes/mindfulness-meditation>

Meditation for your Wellbeing

Community Wellness at MIT Medical offers drop-in meditation and relaxation
sessions. Sit back and relax - no experience necessary. Please arrive
promptly. A short talk and guided meditation begins at 12:10 pm. This class
is held every 2nd Wednesday of the month, 12:10 pm-12:40 pm. Led by Seth
Monk. Registration is required.
<https://medical.mit.edu/community/wellness/classes/mindfulness-meditation>

MIT Writing & Communication Center

The Center provides free professional advice about all types of writing and
speaking/oral presentations, including specialized help for non-native
English speakers. See their website for more details:
http://cmsw.mit.edu/writing-and-communication-center/

MyLife Services

MyLife Services
<http://o6os.mj.am/link/o6os/xlkt8jnnqpg8/1/-kBne3WjUT8Ww6LEA98gxw/aHR0cDovL2hyd2ViLm1pdC5lZHUvd29ya2xpZmUvbWl0bXlsaWZlc2VydmljZXM>
is
a free, confidential, 24/7 counseling, consultation, and work-life referral
service provided by KGA, Inc., a trusted external provider of employee
assistance programs. Postdoc Associates and Fellows are eligible for
services provided by KGA, Inc. through the MIT Work-Life Center and MyLife
Services. You can now access a network of experts who can help with the
challenges of life and work, such as:

   -

   Financial planning, debt management, and legal issues
   -

   Personal and work relationships
   -

   Sleep and nutrition
   -

   Stress, anxiety, depression, and other emotional concerns
   -

   Child and elder care

This includes 5 FREE confidential mental health counseling sessions, as
well as access to 24/7 confidential counseling services. We encourage you
to learn more about MyLife Services by calling 1-844-405-LIFE
(1-844-405-5433) or going online
<http://o6os.mj.am/link/o6os/xlkt8jnnqpg8/2/y46EmaQ0aMF6d85vixaLTg/aHR0cDovL2hyd2ViLm1pdC5lZHUvd29ya2xpZmUvbWl0bXlsaWZlc2VydmljZXM>.
For more information or to provide feedback, please contact the MIT
Work-Life Center.

MIT Spouses&Partners Connect

Offers social and career-related groups and events for your
spouse/partner/family. For more information and event listings, visit
http://spouses.mit.edu/.

MIT Employee Resource Groups

Join an Employee Resource Group (ERG) at MIT!

ERGs are employee-led groups formed around common interests, issues and/or
a common bond or background. ERGs host activities such as lectures,
socials, dinners, etc. Both Postdoctoral Fellows and Associates are invited
to join. Current ERGs include:

   -

   African, Black, American, Caribbean @MIT (ABAC at MIT) ERG
   -

   Asian Pacific American ERG
   -

   Latino ERG,
   -

   Lesbian, Gay, ,Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) ERG
   -

   Millennials ERG
   -

   Women in IT ERG

Check out the link for more information and upcoming events:
http://hrweb.mit.edu/diversity/ergs/current

OTHER RESOURCES

Free Membership for the National Postdoctoral Association

The National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) is a member-driven organization
that provides a unique, national voice for postdoctoral scholars. Since
2003, we have taken on the ambitious agenda to enhance the quality of the
postdoctoral experience in the United States. We have assumed a leadership
role in addressing the many issues confronting the postdoctoral community
that are national in scope and requiring action beyond the local level. Get
your free affiliate membership with the National Postdoctoral Association
here: http://www.nationalpostdoc.org/?page=individual_members
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