The Postdoctoral Researchers Association (PRA) was established in the fall of 2000 by Lynn Horton and Leslie Matuszewich to foster a productive and effective dialogue between the University and Postdoctoral Fellows. Their work was also instrumental in the creation of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs. The ultimate goal of the Association is to address issues relevant to Postdoctoral Scholars and Fellows, thereby strengthening the reputation of Case Western Reserve University as a top research institute and advancing the recruitment and training of Postdoctoral Researchers from around the world.

Contents 1 Objective 2 Activities 3 First Fridays Postdoc Lunch 4 Thursdays at the Barking Spider 5 Steering Committee 6 National Postdoctoral Association(NPA)

[edit] Objective

The overall objective of the Postdoctoral Researchers Association is to represent its members within the Case Western Reserve University community. The Association’s mission will include:

• To provide a collective voice for the issues that are relevant and of interest to Postdoctoral Scholars and Fellows.
• To provide a liaison between Postdoctoral Scholars Fellows and the administration and faculty of Case.
• To promote the recruitment, development and training of Postdoctoral Scholars and Fellows at Case.
• To provide a platform for the efficient dissemination of relevant information to all Postdoctoral Scholars and Fellows at Case.

[edit] Activities

Some of the activities that the PRA is responsible for are:

• Awards for the best poster presentation; provides funds for travel
• Awarding the Outstanding Mentor Award that recognizes faculty achievements in this area
• Sponsoring social activities to increase networking opportunities for postdocs

[edit] First Fridays Postdoc Lunch

First Friday of every month a lunch is hosted for post docs at 11:30 am – 12:30 pm (please note new time) at BRB (Biomedical Research Building) Lobby – upstairs, past the elevators, just outside the dining hall.

[edit] Thursdays at the Barking Spider

Come meet and hang out with other Case postdocs. Every Thursday after 5:30pm at the Barking Spider – postdocs claim a table or two outside. For more information or directions, contact: Jon C. Cline, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Researchers Association Committee Member Research Associate, Department of Biology Email: jon.cline@case.edu

[edit] Steering Committee

(2005 - 2006)

Mohammad Azhar Aziz, Radiation Oncology UH, maa32@case.edu

Jon Cline, Biology, jon.cline@case.edu

Brian Grimberg, Geographic Medicine & Infectious Disease Fellow, The Center for Global Health & Diseases, drgrimberg@yahoo.com

James (Jay) H. Henderson, Skeletal Research Center, Departments of Medicine and Biology, james.henderson@case.edu

Sergey Merkulov, Hematology/Oncology, smm37@case.edu

Brandy Wilkinson, Neurosciences, blw9@po.cwru.edu

[edit] National Postdoctoral Association(NPA)

The National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) is a member-driven organization that provides a unique, national voice for postdoctoral scholars. The NPA is also a collaborative organization that seeks to work with all stakeholders to improve the postdoctoral experience in the United States.

The mission of the NPA is to advance the U.S. research enterprise by maximizing the effectiveness of the research community and enhancing the quality of the postdoctoral experience for all participants.