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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.

Interinstitutional Snacky Hour

The Inter-Institute Snacky Hours are social gatherings between trainees of different institutes in the Torrey Pines area, like Sanford Burnham Prebys, Scripps Institute, La Jolla Institute of Immunology, and UCSD. The aim of the events is to meet trainees from Salk and other neighboring institutes and strengthen the trainee community at Salk and at the Torrey Pines Mesa.

Coffee with a PI

Coffee with a PI is a gathering where 6-10 graduate students and postdocs (trainees) can all get together and meet with a Salk PI in an informal setting over light refreshments. It is a great opportunity to chat with PIs about career trajectories, academia, grants and funding and to interact with other fellow trainees. The topics usually covered during these meetings vary but can be for example about career trajectory, tips regarding funding and grants, experience at Salk, research interests etc. The goal is to create a sense of community, establish a network, and have a chance to talk to our faculty in a small group setting. In non-pandemic times we meet every other month in MNL library and have coffee and cookies. (Bi-monthly even months)

Salk Featured Fellow

Salk Featured Fellows is a monthly seminar series consisting of talks from Salk trainees (postdoctoral fellows & graduate students. It is a great opportunity for trainees to share their exciting research with the Salk community in a low-stress setting, and to receive feedback or form new collaborations. Published and unpublished stories are welcome!

Breakfast Connect

Breakfast Connect is a relatively new initiative from SRF. Trainees (PhDs and postdocs) gather every second Friday of every month for breakfast at 9.30am on the campus. Breakfast is provided by SRF.

Salk Science Underground

Salk Underground is a monthly meeting, with the goal of bringing Salk graduate students together to present on research progress, get and give feedback with our peers, discuss graduate student concerns, and eat food.

Alumni Panel

The Salk alumni panel is an annual event that allows current trainees to hear from Salk alumni who have navigated a diverse set of career paths (including academic, industry and science communication roles). The event is held on-campus and involves a panel of invited alumni giving a short presentation followed by the opportunity for trainees to ask questions to the speakers. Afterwards, there is a mixer for Salk trainees and Salk alumni to network. (May)

Committee for Trainee Affairs

The Committee for Trainee Affairs (CTA) advocates for trainees to the Salk administration. It is composed of members that are elected by their fellow trainees: two postdocs, one grad student, and one “flex” position (depending upon the ratio postdocs: trainees to ensure adequate representation). Committee members survey the needs of Salk trainees and follow up by meeting with Salk administration to enact changes to help trainees.

Career Development Awards

The SRF sponsors two funding cycles to help facilitate education and career advancement for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars through attendance in conferences, courses, workshops, and other educational opportunities.

In addition, the SRF recognizes the importance of non-scientific extracurricular training and career networking events, and we welcome proposals including these opportunities. However, as these types of events are difficult to evaluate alongside scientific conferences, we will be judging and awarding these proposals separately from scientific conferences.

Career Development Events (Academic Day and OpenMic)

SRF Academia Day is a half-day event aimed at fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange between Salk trainees and faculty, expanding trainees' understanding of academic careers through insights from our esteemed faculty.

OpenMic is a summer monthly event series for postdocs and advanced graduate students to connect with industry professionals, offering valuable networking and support for career transitions into industry.

Yoga for Trainees

SRF is dedicated to nurturing both the professional growth and overall well-being of trainees.

Science at the Seaside Symposium

Annual event, usually held at the Scripps Seaside Forum, showcasing work done by the trainees including poster sessions and seminar presentations. Each year includes a special guest speaker and faculty speakers too. (October)

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.