PDA Newsletter August 2025

[Danlei Chen]

[https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXeSEZ-lcsT_cr0X7-YQO7_6Bvpkusr706gAWK_URcsEkV-0XC0DkmiIx0T_2sm7F1XIjciAKjZmlw-WkiBckmhHcvLeQXL-UY5JCGy-2S4vAPh0yltctkk9-W3LlessPkchJ1pO3dLzp4LdpH3pmg?key=7KUJELDkBP3Lrkx80M9WXw]
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☕ MIT PDA GENERAL MEETING AND COFFEE HOUR!

Enjoy coffee, snacks, and conversation with fellow postdocs. Meet the new PDA leadership team and learn how you can get involved!

Tuesday, August 26th, 12pm-1pm
In person @ 56-154
On Zoom @ https://mit.zoom.us/j/96221008860

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🗳️ PDA Election Results Are In!
Thank you to everyone who voted in the 2025–2026 MIT PDA Board Elections! We’re excited to announce the newly elected PDA officers who will officially begin their roles on September 1st, 2025.
Several committees are still seeking co-chairs, and the Orientation Committee is accepting nominations for chair. If you're interested in meeting the new cohort or potentially joining the PDA leadership team, please join us at the August General Meeting!
Elected 2025–2026 PDA Officers:
President: Yiqiao Zheng
Vice-President: Kadir Bice
Treasurer: Elia Arnese Feffin
Corresponding Secretary: Danlei Chen
Recording Secretary: Kübra Kaygisiz
Advocacy Committee Chair: Khanh Tran
Alumni Committee Chair: Danielle Coogan
Community Building Committee Chair: Megan Priestley
Belonging and Outreach Committee Chair: Abhishek Soni
Professional Development Committee Chair: Poornima Dubey
Sports Committee Chair: Fabian Moeller
IT & Information Committee Chair: Yibei Chen
Orientation Committee Chair: [Could be you!]

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☕ Postdoc Buddy Program Summer Coffee Hour!

For those signed up for the Summer Chapter of the Postdoc Buddy Program, we hope you’re enjoying meeting your buddies so far!

We have one large group coffee meet up remaining for those groups who have not yet met up with their buddies, where we will provide coffee and pastries. We’ll be hosting the coffee hour on August 15th at 10am at The Nexus in Hayden library.
Sign your group up at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdy85UPsC1QeLzbgBLY3IL-Y30lo0PSMvgbqdfMPsnuIlPMyA/viewform?usp=dialog

If you didn’t sign up for the buddy scheme this time, keep your eyes peeled for emails for the Fall chapter, coming soon!

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🎨 Art Break: Postdoc Painting & Craft Event - Second Round!

Take a break, get creative, and connect with fellow postdocs! Due to the enthusiastic response to our last painting event, we're excited to host a second round! You’re welcome to bring your own art supplies and hang out with the group — all are welcome!

Date & Time: August 28th, 5:30–7:00 PM
Location: Dertouzos Amphitheater (location may change in case of rain)
Registration (for location update): https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScH8ARLXRrz8PPUepeRt-q_auiWbCgD_xDSH16aAY_GR4S9Qw/viewform?usp=header

Come unwind and make something beautiful! For questions, please reach out to Danlei Chen (danlei at mit.edu<mailto:danlei at mit.edu>) or Yiqiao Zheng (yqzheng at mit.edu<mailto:yqzheng at mit.edu>).

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🎲 August Postdoc Board Games Night

Looking for a way to make new friends in a fun and relaxed environment? Look no further than the PDA Board Games Night! Our monthly event brings together postdocs from across MIT to unwind and have some fun together. Feel free to bring as many of your own games as you’d like!
Join us for an evening of fun and games by RSVPing using the link below (so we know how much pizza to order!)

When: 12th August, 6-8pm
Where: 68-181
What: Board games + pizza
RSVP: https://forms.gle/CvZ35UDGRQfojMas5

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📅 Grad Student Council (GSC) Monthly Events
The Graduate Student Council has kindly put together a monthly event announcement just for postdocs! Many of their events are open to the entire MIT community, and they’ve put a lot of effort into making us feel welcome. It’s a great opportunity to connect with grad students and share interests. Let’s show our appreciation by joining their activities and building stronger ties across our communities!
Check it out here: GSC Event Announcements<http://gsc.mit.edu/current-anno>
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🌍 Travel Guidance

MIT has prepared travel guidance cards—one version for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, and another for non-citizens and non-residents. We encourage everyone to carry the appropriate version when traveling internationally, as a precaution for the foreseeable future. The reference cards can be found here<https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1YUdTqEYacl5rx8z5EqYXrXGQXm8FHymx?usp=share_link>. Additionally, Alex Yen at CAPD (alexyen at mit.edu) has kindly put together a handy, pocket-sized travel guide. You’re welcome to pick one up at the front desk in E17-294.
Other resources:
International Travel Guidance – IScho:
https://ischo.mit.edu/news/update-international-travel-guidance
Legal Considerations – Office of the General Counsel:
https://ogc.mit.edu/system/files?file=documents/guid_internat_trav_law_enforc_search_leav_enter_mar-2025.pdf&check_logged_in=1
On-Campus Guidance for Interactions with Immigration and Law Enforcement:
https://ogc.mit.edu/system/files/documents/guid_immigr_law_enforc_on_campus_mar-2025_2.pdf
Loaner Laptops for International Travel – IScho:
https://ist.mit.edu/secure-devices-travel
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Reach out to us through slack, email, and instagram!

💬 Join the Slack channel: mit-postdocs.slack.com<https://mit-postdocs.slack.com/>
📧 Email the PDA: contactpda at mit.edu<mailto:contactpda at mit.edu>
📸 Follow us on Instagram: @mitpda<https://www.instagram.com/mitpda/>
[https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXcMIacYvL7IRlzfhE0HVJAfr4DbMqsFkKr00zcDueazLNIAmkJhhYwtpVmKmqM3On-IGu_g0zfWsyNhc31ATwe26j61nNqQO_I9CteU4W-SSdrb1e5TP87-U6swgN-LGgbxIxnlDiT5Dqm6tp72G9k?key=7KUJELDkBP3Lrkx80M9WXw]

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