OPA Program

Monday, August 24, 12:00pm-1:00pm, On Campus 

Join us for an interactive workshop on navigating one of the hardest conversations in academic science: money. 

Thursday, August 20, 2:00pm-4:00pm, Alway Courtyard

The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) is hosting Bay Area Ice Cream for all postdocs!

Sign up and stop by for a fun and refreshing ice cream social, including non-dairy and vegan options. 

Ice cream will be provided until supplies run out -- we recommend stopping by on the earlier side if you can!

Monday, August 17, 12:00pm-1:00pm, On Campus 

As summer internships wrap up, the mentoring relationship doesn’t have to. This workshop will explore how mentoring relationships evolve over time and the different roles a mentor can play. 

Participants will reflect on their summer mentoring experiences, identify which mentoring roles come most naturally to them, and leave with concrete strategies for maintaining relationships and building support networks long after an internship concludes.

Tuesday, August 11 & Wednesday, August 12, 2026, 9:00am-12:30pm

** Must be able to attend both sessions.**  If selected for the workshop, you will be notified of the location.

Monday, July 27, 12:00pm-1:00pm, On Campus 

This workshop will equip mentors with strategies to help mentees identify goals, develop professional skills, build confidence, expand networks, and navigate career decisions. 

Through interactive activities, participants will learn how to create effective mentoring relationships and support mentees in building their professional identity and career trajectory.

Facilitators: Chelse Spinner and Maryam Pourmaleki, Postdoc Peer Mentoring Coaches. 

The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) is hosting Bliss Pops gourmet popsicles for all postdocs!

Sign up and stop by for a handcrafted, organic ice pop, made with real fresh fruit!

All flavors are 100% vegan and gluten free!

Popsicles will be provided until supplies run out -- we recommend stopping by on the earlier side if you can!

Monday, July 20, 12:00pm-1:00pm, On Campus 

In this interactive session, we’ll explore how to foster independence in mentees across different aspects of research. Through small-group discussions, participants will learn how to identify where a mentee is on their path to independence and how to tailor their mentoring approach accordingly. 

With many of us working with summer interns over the coming weeks, this workshop offers practical strategies you can put into practice right away.

Required Readings: 

Aguiar, A. A., & Calabrese, J. (2025). Broadening the perspective of traditional lecturing vs. active learning in introductory college biology. Discover Education, 4, 278. DOI: 10.1007/s44217-025-00729-7 -- LINK 

Monday, June 22, 12:00pm-1:00pm, On Campus 

Mentors frequently encounter situations where advice alone is not enough to drive meaningful change. 

This interactive session will introduce the Six Sources of Influence framework and explore how motivation, ability, social networks, and systems shape behavior. Through discussion and practical examples, participants will learn strategies to support trainees, foster accountability, and create environments that promote growth and success.