2026 Postdoctoral Research Symposium

2026 Postdoc Research Symposium  

Contemplative Commons  

April 17, 2026

The University of Virginia Postdoc Association (UVA PDA) and the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs (OGPA) are proud to co-host the 2026 UVA Postdoctoral Research Symposium at the Contemplative Commons on April 17, 2026. This one-day event celebrates the research, scholarship, and impact of postdoctoral scholars from UVA and Virginia Tech.

The symposium will feature lightning talks, a research showcase competition, a panel discussion, mindfulness activities, a resource fair, career advising, professional headshots and other opportunities for networking and professional engagement. We look forward to learning about your work, fostering new connections, and strengthening our broader research community.

Abstract submission is now closed. Thank you to everyone who submitted an abstract for the upcoming Lightning Talk and Research Showcase! While the call for presentations has ended, registration for attendance remains open until April 3, 2026. Join us for a full day of networking, career development, and exploring the impactful research of your colleagues.

Agenda

                               8:30 am   Registration & Breakfast

                               9:00 am   Opening Remarks by Lori McMahon

                                                 UVA PDA Welcome by the UVA Postdoc Association

                               9:40 am   Breakout Session I

                                                 Mindfulness Event

                                                 Speed Career Advising Start

                                                 Professional Headshots Start

                               10:15 am  Research Showcase - Session 1

                               11:00 am  Coffee Break

                               11:15 am  Research Showcase - Session 2

                               Noon         Resource Fair

                                                 Speed Career Advising End

                                                 Professional Headshots End

                               1:00 pm    Lunch 

                                                 Panel Discussion: "The Role of AI and Emerging Technologies in Research Careers"                  

                               2:00 pm    Lightning Talk Final Competition

                               3:50 pm    Networking and Mini Workshops

                               4:30 pm    Award Ceremony and Closing Remarks

Event Highlights

UVA Postdoc Association

Konika Konika, Cody Wolf, Valentina Ekimova, Hania Taha, Shivam Singh, Achintya T.C.A, Sidra Khan, Steven Rolland, Niti Jadeja, Songyu Dong, Kristina Delgado

Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Affairs

Fatima Saldana Morales, Amy Garrou, Samuel Lake, Alexandra McDonald, Ruiyan Qiu, Phillip Trella

Virginia Tech Postdoc Association and Office of Postdoctoral Affairs

Chris Smith, Tolulope Odimayomi, Alexander Sarkis, Jorge Reyes

Volunteers

Madison Schmidtmann (UVACCC CRTEC)

Sponsors

Contemplative Sciences Center, UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Arts & Sciences

Collaborators

Contemplative Sciences Center, UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center, UVA ISSP - J-1 Scholars, Center for American English Language and Culture (CAELC), UVA HR Immigration Services, PhD Plus, UVA Licensing & Ventures Group, UVA Health Sciences Library, OGPA Outreach and Engagement, UVA Science & Engineering Library, UVA Finance: International Tax, UVA Environmental Institute, UVA Brain Institute, UVA Arts & Sciences Engagements Program, UVA Office for Sustainability/Green Labs, UVA International Center, EURAXESS North America, UVA Recreation, Office of the Vice President for Research, HHMI/Janelia, Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation