2025 National Postdoc Appreciation Week!
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Goat Therapy? You Herd Right!
Get ready for a baa-rilliant start to National Postdoc Appreciation Week with the PhillyGOAT Project! Join us at the Penn BioPond for a morning filled with fun, relaxation, and the cutest goats in town, all sporting stylish hats. Did you know that Ben Franklin, one of Penn’s founders, was a fan of all things quirky? He once said, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest,” but we think he would agree that spending time with goats is a close second! Come meet these adorable goats, mingle with fellow postdocs, and enjoy a unique and delightful experience. Don’t miss out on the fun.
Location: Penn BioPond / James G. Kaskey Memorial Park, 433 S University Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Registration Encouraged: Click to register
Sponsored by BPP, OPA, and CHOP
2025 National Postdoc Appreciation Week Kickoff Event
Please join us for the 2025 NPAW National Kickoff brought to you by the NPA. The 2025 kickoff will include remarks provided by leaders across the postdoc community, with a brief keynote by Gretchen Goldman, Ph.D., president of the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), a long-standing partner organization of the NPA. This event is free to attend and open to the full community.
Speakers: Gretchen Goldman, Ph.D., president, Union of Concerned Scientists (keynote); Azmi Ahmad, Ph.D., postdoctoral fellow, Yale School of Medicine, chair, NPA Advocacy Committee; Pallabi Bhowmick, Ph.D., postdoctoral research associate, Human Factors and Aging Lab, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, member, NPA Postdoc Council; Thomas P. Kimbis, J.D., executive director & CEO, NPA; Christopher T. Smith, Ph.D., postdoctoral affairs program administrator, Office of Research and Innovation, Virginia Tech, chair, NPA Board of Directors
Goldman is an environmental engineer who previously served in the White House and Department of Transportation before joining UCS earlier this year and well versed in the nexus of science and policy.
Location: Virtual
Registration Required: Click to register
Sponsored by the National Postdoctoral Association
Chair Massages
Open to Penn Postdocs Only
Treat yourself to a well-deserved break with a relaxing chair massage! As part of National Postdoc Appreciation Week, this exclusive event for Penn postdocs offers a perfect opportunity to unwind and recharge. Enjoy a soothing massage session to melt away stress and rejuvenate your mind and body. Don’t miss out on this chance to pamper yourself and connect with fellow postdocs in a serene setting
Location: John Morgan Building, M100
Registration: Offered on a first-come basis
Sponsored by Penn
PPA / DBPC / CPA Recruitment Event
Are you interested in finding out about the various postdoc groups on campus?
Start off NPAW with a postdoc recruitment event featuring the Penn Postdoc Association, Du Bois Postdoctoral Circle and CHOP Postdoc Alliance. Learn about what these various groups do, how to get involved and connect with fellow postdocs. The event will be Monday, September 15th on the 14th floor of BRB from 2-4pm. Refreshments will be served.
Location: Biomedical Research Building (BRB) II/III, 14th Floor
Registration not required
Sponsored by PPA, DBPC, and CPA
Career Exploration Virtual Panel
Join us for an insightful panel discussion where former postdocs share their diverse career paths and experiences. This event will provide valuable perspectives on transitioning from postdoctoral positions to various professional roles. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from and connect with successful professionals in your field.
Location: Virtual
Registration Required: Click to register
Sponsored by BPP, OPA, and CHOP
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Financial Literacy for Postdocs: Understanding your Paycheck
Speakers: Jovan Johnson, M.B.A., CFP, Neeka Miremadi, and Emily Roberts, Ph.D.
Johnson is an Atlanta native and the co-owner of Piece of Wealth Planning, LLC. He has over 10 years of experience working in various accounting and financial planning roles. Piece of Wealth Planning, LLC is a premier Atlanta-based CPA and financial planning firm serving clients across the United States. His role entails providing accounting and tax services to small businesses and personal financial planning services to individuals. Johnson enjoys blending his passion for accounting and financial planning to help clients fulfill both their business and personal financial goals. In addition, he enjoy writing personal finance articles for Business Insider. Certifications: CFP® (Certified Financial Planner), CPA (Certified Public Accountant), PFS (Personal Financial Specialist)
Miremadi is a financial advisor at Attainable Wealth and the producer and co-host of the podcast Academics and Their Money. A Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) candidate set to receive her full marks in December 2025, Miremadi works closely with academics and early-career professionals to help them lay strong financial foundations rooted in clarity, purpose, and long-term vision. She’s also become fluent in the financial complexities of academic life, a natural fit given the firm’s strong academic client base. When she’s not talking about money, you can find her weightlifting at the gym, hiking a new trail, or reading a book.
Roberts is a personal finance educator specializing in early-career doctorates. Through her business, Personal Finance for PhDs, she equips graduate students and postdocs to make the most of their money. She gives seminars at universities and for associations, interviews graduate students and doctorates on her podcast, and creates courses and workshops on taxes, investing, and more. She holds a doctorate degree in biomedical engineering from Duke University and lives in San Diego with her husband and two children.
Location: Virtual
Registration Required: Click to register
Sponsored by the National Postdoctoral Association
Best of Philly Treats Social
Join the community for our “Best of Philly Treats” social. Take a break and connect with fellow postdocs over a delicious treat. Dairy-free options will be available. Don’t miss this opportunity to relax and network with your peers!
Location: Biomedical Research Building (BRB) II/III, Lobby
Registration Encouraged: Click to register
Sponsored by BPP, OPA, and CHOP
OPA & BPP Open House
Open to Penn Postdocs Only
Join us for the National Postdoc Appreciation Week Open House with the Penn Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and the Biomedical Postdoctoral Programs. and at the OPA & BPP Open House & Coffee Kiosk! Stop by to sip a delicious cup of coffee or tea and snag awesome OPA-BPP swag. It’s the perfect way to start your day and connect with fellow Penn postdocs!
Location: Houston Hall, Ben Franklin Room (HH218)
Registration Encouraged: Click to register
Sponsored by BPP and OPA
"Ask the Postdoc Council" Office Hours
Join the Postdoc Council (PDC) to ask the PDC leadership about topics of interest or concern, and learn about serving on the PDC next year!
Location: Virtual
Registration Required: Click to register
Sponsored by the National Postdoctoral Association
NPAW 2025 Postdoc Barbeque
Celebrate National Postdoc Appreciation Week with a fun and relaxing BBQ! Join fellow postdocs, mentors, and colleagues from CHOP and Penn for delicious food, great company, and a chance to unwind in the beautiful outdoor garden. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect and enjoy a festive afternoon together!
Location: CHOP Colket Translational Research Building (CTRB) Lobby
Registration Encouraged: Click to register
Sponsored by BPP, OPA, and CHOP
Chair Massages
Open to Penn Postdocs Only
Treat yourself to a well-deserved break with a relaxing chair massage! As part of National Postdoc Appreciation Week, this exclusive event for Penn postdocs offers a perfect opportunity to unwind and recharge. Enjoy a soothing massage session to melt away stress and rejuvenate your mind and body. Don’t miss out on this chance to pamper yourself and connect with fellow postdocs in a serene setting
Location: College Hall 205
Registration: Offered on a first-come basis
Sponsored by Penn
NPAW 2025: Closing Reception and Happy Hour
Wrap up National Postdoc Appreciation Week with a bang at our Closing Reception and Happy Hour! Join fellow postdocs, mentors, and colleagues for an evening of celebration, networking, and fun. Enjoy delicious snacks, refreshing drinks, and great company as we toast to the hard work and achievements of our postdoc community. Don’t miss this chance to unwind, make new connections, and celebrate the end of an amazing week!
Location: Irvine Auditorium, Armando, 3401 Spruce St, Philadelphia
Registration Encouraged: Click to register
Sponsored by BPP, OPA, and CHOP