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Society of Research Fellows

Activities

Salk Institute for Biological Studies - Society of Research Fellows - Activities

Overview

The Salk Society of Research Fellows (SRF) is a group comprised of graduate and postdoctoral trainees. The goal of the SRF is to foster a sense of community among the research community at the Salk Institute. SRF activities, organized by a volunteer committee of postdoctoral and student representatives, include the Salk Ambassador Program and SalkFEST.

Activities

SRF activities are organized by a volunteer committee of postdoctoral and student representatives. Meetings are in the Fellows room at 12:00 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month, lunch is provided. Please check the Salk calendar for any changes to the room location.

SRF is currently looking for enthusiastic postdoc and student volunteers to join our committee. Be a part of an exciting team involved in organizing career development events and other activities on campus.

The Ambassador Program

What is it?

If you would be willing to be a contact for an incoming scientist and give them guidance and information about the San Diego area, please read on!

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How to participate:

The "Ambassador Program" provides each incoming researcher with a Salk "ambassador", preferably from their nation of origin, to facilitate their transition to the Salk and San Diego life. While the program is for everyone, it is particularly valuable from those coming from other countries and cultures who, as many of you know from your own experiences, have little idea of what to expect from the move.

The ambassador will act as a contact to answer any questions they might have, and assist with providing information about the San Diego area (housing, transportation, etc.). Ambassadors need do little more than just write the incoming researcher a few e-mails but hopefully this program will lead to the establishment of long term friendships and networking opportunities for those involved.

If you volunteer, you will be contacted when we can use you as someone's ambassador, and ask you if you are available. Please note that even if you volunteer for the Ambassadors Program, you can still turn down the request if you are too busy at the time.

If you are interested in volunteering to make an incoming scientist feel more welcome, please send me the following information:

1. Your name.
2. Country or region of origin (Please note that the U.S. is a country too, and we need American volunteers also!).
3. Which nationality(s) you would feel most comfortable being ambassadors for.
4. Your e-mail address and lab extension.

We like to match people with the best ambassador for them based on commonalties, so please feel free to provide us with any further information which could be useful in finding them the right ambassador, such as family situation or special interests.

For example: My name is X , and I would be happy to be an ambassador to scientists from the United Kingdom (because I am British) or from the East coast of the U.S., which is from where I moved to San Diego. My e-mail address is X@salk.edu and I can be reached at extension xxxx.

Please contact srf_ambassador@salk.edu to participate or if you have any questions.

Salk Featured Fellow

The Featured Fellow series allows a productive postdoc or graduate student to present his or her work in an informal seminar setting. The Featured Fellow series is in the Trustees Room at noon on the first Wednesday of every month. Lunch is provided.

The Salk Holiday Food Drive

Our sincerest thanks to all who participated in the food drive. We surpassed our 2500 pound goal and collected 2632 pounds of food, enough to feed over 2000 people!!! Once again, the Salk community has demonstrated their generosity.

This year's contest winner was the Genomic Analysis Laboratory, bringing in over 23 pounds of food per person!

We would also like to give honorable mentions to the laboratories/groups who did a great job in collecting over a hundred pounds each:

  • Genetics (334 pounds)
  • Molecular Neurobiology (232 pounds)
  • Cognitive Neuroscience (166 pounds)
  • Neuronal Structure and Function (166 pounds)
  • Library (162 pounds)
  • Chemical Biology and Proteomics (128 pounds)
  • Regulatory Biology (126 pounds)
  • Gene Expression (104 pounds)

We would also like to sincerely thank Jim Crowe and the shipping department for all of their help.

Additional thanks to Ranveer Jayani, Shigeki Miyake-Stoner, Jeff Murry, Talitha Van Der Meulen, Mariana Haedo, Jeniffer Hernandez, Rafael Demarco, and the members of SRF who helped with the barrel pickup.

WHERE DID THE FOOD GO? ABOUT THE SAN DIEGO FOOD BANK:

Through a combination of government programs and partnerships with more than 260 San Diego County non-profit charities, SDFB acts as a central repository and distribution point for government and donated food. Funded by foundations, grants, USDA, corporations, sponsors and individual donors, SDFB distributes more than 10 million pounds of food annually to individuals, families and a network of non-profit organizations (e.g., soup kitchens, shelters, low-income daycare centers, senior centers, and disability programs) that work to alleviate hunger throughout San Diego county.

For more information, please visit their website at: http://www.sandiegofoodbank.org/
Thanks again to everyone for their participation!

Salk Science by the Seaside Retreat

The Seaside Retreat is a special, annual one-day networking and social event organized by SRF in collaboration with Salk faculty and administration. It features key highlights including inspiring talks by trainees and faculty, poster presentations by postdocs, graduate students and core facility members, thought-provoking discussions and a special guest faculty speaker. The retreat is a highly anticipated, unique opportunity to network, learn about the Salk community and celebrate cutting-edge scientific research being done at the institute.

Alumni Panel

This annual event brings back Salk alumni from near and far to share their memories of Salk, their experiences after Salk, and the paths they took towards highly diversified science career tracks. This is a fantastic opportunity for all postdocs and students to meet with past Salk trainees and gain invaluable insight and be truly inspired.

Our speakers have taken very diverse journeys, coming from both academic and industry career backgrounds. The panel discussion is followed by an extensive discussion session during which trainees in the audience can ask the panelists questions about their perspectives or for career advice. The panel and discussion is then followed by an informal networking social hour hosted by External Relations during which panelists, other invited alumni and trainees can mingle. Furthermore, trainees have been able to network with alumni and secure job positions – this is an event you do not what to miss!

Other events and workshops are organized throughout the year. You will find an updated list on the Pre & Postdoctoral office intranet page (Postdoc updates) and in regular emails from the Pre & Postdoctoral office.