PDA Newsletter June 2025

[Danlei Chen]

[https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfZryHfpDa_DOQQ_djX8k5Ee8DV3pMY59f9NO4gId0jvoIixuUAF6OR41fTGtbWr6rJyFwdzKzfXHYHcvn1XMRfFo5lpPFB0CvhzNlq4ttjvPd52wRfQ6HNbHFaMCl3uTjl98jyaz1jTxI1D53m45g?key=P5mx6NQwIShGDFgNPSXmmg]
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MIT PDA GENERAL MEETING AND COFFEE HOUR! ☕

Join us for this month’s PDA meetup! Enjoy coffee, snacks, and friendly conversations with fellow postdocs. Hear the latest updates from PDA officers and connect in a laid-back setting where we talk about research, careers, life—and everything in between.

Tuesday, June 24th, 12pm-1pm
In person @ 56-154 Note the room change
On Zoom @ https://mit.zoom.us/j/96221008860

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Upcoming PDA Elections – Call for Nominations
The MIT Postdoctoral Association (PDA) board, which represents all postdocs across the Institute, is looking for a new leadership team for the 2025–2026 academic year. All current MIT postdoctoral fellows and associates are invited to apply for a position. This is a great opportunity to get involved, build leadership skills, and help shape the postdoc experience at MIT. We look forward to your nominations!
To nominate yourself, please complete the nomination form<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSczAVMyXyU7-YSy_VjLoot8pTTyvdj_BEES6zcoEy53CXsyDw/viewform> and include a brief statement (100–200 words) by July 16, 2025 at midnight EDT. You are welcome to apply for more than one position! If you do, please submit a separate nomination form for each role.
Voting will be open from July 20 to July 31, 2025 at midnight EDT. More information will be shared soon.
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Travel Guidance and Reference Cards

Given the ongoing changes in immigration and travel policies, it’s more important than ever to be aware of your rights. With that in mind, MIT has prepared the attached 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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Kayaking and Sailing Events!

Enjoy the warm and long days kayaking and sailing with your fellow postdocs! The PDA Sports committee will host two events in June. Details will be sent via email and on Slack shortly!

Kayaking
Date & Time: Tentatively Saturday, June 15th, 10:45am
Location: Paddle Boston, 1071 Soldiers Field Road, Boston, MA 02134
Registration: sign up<https://forms.gle/isnFDnoyw4yUERHM8> (Registration required, limited availability)

Sailing
Date & Time: TBD, June 2025
Location: MIT Sailing Pavilion
[https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXeAbpxEzQ_mWSDPRWQhDihH4dSmUsdeHml5nR1Qc2GUX5nw6A1P2_zdE4f__Ai_-iHuP6RL52ja6qdb2ddUSH6Gn7Gj_a3UmwCINJ57DhZGZ9_A9nxoM7WksrD-lJhgmRZKOjec7Mr9NoQjeIc_9xo?key=P5mx6NQwIShGDFgNPSXmmg] [https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXdleyjty_Dv_iJpSlJhc-0FU3q9GsDcZYxRaxwWbzbqp4v6YxB190vmR8zKsdPyvWQ-A8VFBMaZvYMjDEM9zIvajDLUWO_nqxdory4obrd0VDevHVpxiPjchJU37-5iR2THTw1dlXG447ll-sQECw?key=P5mx6NQwIShGDFgNPSXmmg]
Please reach out to Fabian Möller for urgent questions (fmoeller at mit.edu<mailto:fmoeller at mit.edu>).

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Brush Break: Postdoc Painting Event! 🎨

Take a break, get creative, and connect with fellow postdocs! Join us for an afternoon of painting, snacks, and relaxation. No experience needed! Spots are limited. We will host a similar event if interest is high. Painting materials provided!

Date & Time: Thursday, July 10th, 4:30pm-6pm
Location: Dertouzos Amphitheater
Registration:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScJ142dQvpur5Kn1p3ntjXzl-187SI66VXlHGcmRGbUMXTaMQ/viewform?usp=dialog

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

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PDA Book Club + Board Games Nights

Looking for a new way to meet other postdocs in a relaxed but fun environment? Join the PDA for our new book club and board games nights!

Board Games Night:
So far, we have hosted two lively board games nights full of chaos, laughter and betrayal. Join us to hang out with other postdocs in a lowkey and welcoming environment (as well as eat free pizza + snacks!) The next Board Games Night is
When: 6pm, June 17th, Tuesday
Where: MIT Building 68-181
Sign up: https://forms.gle/yFMH3hU7CdX6bai86

Book Club:
For the second book club event, we will discuss James by Percival Everett
Goodreads review: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/173754979-james
When: 6pm June 26th, 2025, Thursday
Where: Building 68 scholar's lounge
Sign up: https://forms.gle/KHHjHgDn9WVLFXBz7
Join the book club slack channel for more information: https://mit.enterprise.slack.com/archives/C087A3K1T7C.

Contact the Community Building Committee co-chairs, Yiqiao (yqzheng at mit.edu) and Megan (megp at mit.edu<mailto:megp at mit.edu>) if you have any questions or suggestions.

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Retirement Benefits for Postdoc Associates
Did you know MIT offers a 401(k) retirement plan for Postdoc Associates? Join the MIT Benefits team for an info session to learn how your retirement savings are invested, the advantages of tax-deferred contributions, and what happens to your savings if you leave MIT or move abroad. Please note that this session is intended for Postdoc Associates, but Postdoc Fellows are also welcome to attend.
Free burrito & refreshments will be provided for those who RSVP and attend in person!

Date & Time: June 18th, 12.30 – 1.30 pm
Location: Building 68, room 181
Registration: RSVP here<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1eJbeQjXxil3ffEGTfHkrUVJioGyHzD0nEUMnfWH_vmA/edit>

 For questions, please reach out to Expery Omollo (omollo at mit.edu).

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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/>

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