Happy New Year! I hope you and yours are well as 2021 has already proved a bit tumultuous. It's been a while since our last update, so there are lots of opportunities included below for you to consider.
You are probably aware that vaccine distribution has started in NY, with Phase 1b starting yesterday. A last minute change has added "in-person college instructors" to the eligibility list, which may include some of you with documented, in-person teaching responsibilities. Please keep an eye on your official emails from the university for information on when professionals and researchers are deemed eligible for SBU local vaccine distribution. For up to date information, you can consult this SBU Medicine page on vaccines.
1. Sign Up to Present Your Work in 5min at SBU Postdoc Spotlight by Jan 20
Want to challenge yourself to improve your Science Communication and distill your research down to FIVE MINUTES for any audience?
Sign up to present at the SBU Postdoc Spotlight!
SBU Postdoc Spotlight is an opportunity for SBU postdocs to give a short, TED-like talk on their research to a general audience of fellow postdocs and faculty. Join us and receive customized #scicomm coaching on your talk while also meeting other postdocs and sharing your work broadly with our community.
Speakers will:
Develop their science communication skills for connecting with any audience to explain why their work matters and what they have learned, in FIVE MINUTES.
Attend at least two coaching sessions
Session 1: January 28, 2021, 3:00-5:00 pm
Session 2: Feb 10, 10am-12pm OR Feb 10, 3:00-5:00pm OR Feb 11, 3:00-5:00pm
Session 3 (optional): Feb 18, 3:00-5:00pm
Present their 5-min talk on Jan 21 virtually during a live Zoom event from 4-5pm
Compete for cash prizes for the top three best talks as selected by our judges!
DATE OF SPOTLIGHT EVENT: Thursday, February 25, 2021, 4-5pm
2. New Postdocs! Join us for New Postdoc Welcome THIS THURS, Jan 14 3pm
Have you joined SBU in the past six months or so?
Come to the New Postdoc Welcome to meet other postdocs and learn how to make the most of your time at Stony Brook.
The quarterly New Postdoc Welcome offers an introduction to Stony Brook to help recently arrived postdocs maximize their postdoctoral experience and help you make the most of your time at Stony Brook.
3. Postdoc Spots Available in Intro to Science Policy Course
Postdocs are invited to GRD 520: Intro to STEM Policy
GRD 520 is a 1-credit course with only 8 sessions: Thursdays 4:45pm-6:05pm VIRTUAL February 4th-March 25th. There are two assignments to write memos: 1 about your research and 1 about an issue of your choice. Postdocs who enroll through the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs can take the course for no credit for free.
The course consists of a series of cool guest speakers coming to talk about various subjects on STEM policy including: how the federal government makes policy, issues related to women and underrepresented minorities in STEM, and a newly invited speaker on artificial intelligence policy.
For questions about the course: Contact Caitlyn Cardetti at caitlyn.cardetti AT stonybrook.edu
How to Enroll: Postdocs can enroll in the course for no credit, no cost, through the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs. Email us at postdocs@stonybrook.edu.
4. Postdocs With Children Invited to new SBU Support Group
Postdocs are invited to a new group recently founded at Stony Brook by grad student parents called Students with Children. The goal of the group is to provide a support hub for students, postdocs and trainees who balance their research and work with parenting responsibilities as well. (and altho the name is about students, postdocs and residents are explicitly invited to join!)
For more information and to join: Email SWC.SBU@gmail.com
5. Virtual Workshop: Kickstart Your Funding Search, Feb 19, 2:30pm
Join this workshop for an introduction to finding individual fellowship funding that fits you (no matter your citizenship status) and some broader tools that might help you with research funding. No previous experience with grant or proposal writing necessary!
In this workshop, you will learn how to:
Analyze how funding fits in with your overall career path.
Identify the funding sources that are compatible with your research.
1.NYC Region Postdoc Speed Schmooze THIS FRI, Jan 15 5pm
Join NYC region postdocs us for the fun and popular “Postdoc Speed Schmoozing” event! This event, hosted by Columbia but open to all NYC metro region postdocs, is focused on building social connections with postdocs in the NYC area through quick, friendly informal conversations. This event is not intended to focus on work topics, politics, viruses, or anything stressful, but instead will focus on building connections and having fun!
2.New England Science Symposium, Abstracts due FRI Jan 15
20th Annual New England Science Symposium
Virtual
Friday, April 23 and Saturday, April 24, 2021
Harvard Medical School Office for Diversity Inclusion and Community Partnership and the Biomedical Science Careers Program (BSCP) invite you to submit an abstract for the 20th annual New England Science Symposium (NESS) to be held virtually on Friday, April 23 and April 24, 2021.
Questions: Email Rodolfo Ramos at rodolfo_ramos AT hms.harvard.edu
3.Two Virtual Science Fairs Seeking Judges
Science Fairs are a great science communication opportunity for local K-12 students and a chance for judges to grow their network and give back to the community. Two virtual science fairs will take place in our region this Spring.
#1. Long Island Science & Engineering Fair (LISEF)
The Long Island Science and Engineering Fair has been among the largest regional high school fairs in the country. This year’s LISEF Virtual Fair will be a smaller event for students from public, private, and parochial schools in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, in grades 9-12.
Judges will be given access to:
1. The Project Abstract
2. A link to a 5-minute YouTube Video presentation
3. A PDF which includes a slide show of the key components that would appear on a presentation board, the student’s research paper, the 1C form, if required, and Form 7 if required.
WHEN: Judging will take place between March 5, 2021 through March 21, 2021
The Terra New York City STEM Fair (Terra NYC STEM Fair) invites you to help support student researchers from across NYC who will be virtually exhibiting their research in a fun, vibrant academic setting.
Preliminary Round – February 27th, 2021 through March 8th, 2021 (10 days)
Finals Rounds - March 20th and 21st, 2021 & March 27th and March 28th, 2021
Funding & Jobs
1.Reminder: Blavatnik Young Scientist Nominations due Jan 18
The New York Academy of Sciences Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists is a regional competition for postdocs to earn one of three cash prizes of $30,000 (and $10k for six finalists!). SBU postdocs in the life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, and engineering are eligible. SBU may nominate a limited number of postdocs.
Campus Nomination Deadline: January 18, 2020 (yes, you may nominate yourself!)
Questions: Email Director for Fellowships Advising Jen Green at jennifer.green@stonybrook.edu.
2.L'Oreal USA For Women in Science Fellowship: Deadline: Jan 29
Applications for the 2021 L’Oréal USA For Women in Science program are now open and will close on Friday, January 29, 2021.
The L’Oréal USA For Women in Science fellowship program honors female scientists at a critical stage in their careers with grants of $60,000 each. Since 2003, they have awarded 85 postdoctoral women scientists over $4 million in grants. They are seeking five exceptional female scientists looking to advance their research and serve as role models for the next generation of girls in STEM.
It's time again for our annual census of postdocs and so we need your help! If you haven't completed the Postdoc & Research Scientist Information Form for 2020, here's you chance. It helps us know your current source of funding and other things it's difficult for us to collect elsewhere.
We're tallying data about our postdocs from Fall 2020 right now, with submission by the end of January. So your timely assistance is appreciated!! These data help us advocate for more resources for postdocs and research at SBU, so thanks in advance.
GRD 520 is a 1-credit course with only 8 sessions: Thursdays 4:45pm-6:05pm VIRTUAL February 4th-March 25th. There are two assignments to write memos: 1 about your research and 1 about an issue of your choice. Postdocs who enroll through the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs can take the course for no credit for free. 
Graduate students and postdocs are invited to develop skills we can all use to manage stress in these trying times.
Join NYC region postdocs us for the fun and popular “Postdoc Speed Schmoozing” event! This event, hosted by Columbia but open to all NYC metro region postdocs, is focused on building social connections with postdocs in the NYC area through quick, friendly informal conversations. This event is not intended to focus on work topics, politics, viruses, or anything stressful, but instead will focus on building connections and having fun!
The 
Applications for the 2021 L’Oréal USA For Women in Science program are now open and will close on Friday, January 29, 2021.
