Biochemistry Postdoctoral Researcher and Student Association

Mission Statement

The Biochemistry Postdoctoral Researcher and Student Association (BPSA) strives to create an environment where both graduate students and post-doctoral fellows have a base of support within the department. We hope to accomplish this by enhancing the academic experience of graduate school/post-doc fellowships with opportunities for exchanging scientific thought in a supportive environment, participating in public speaking/presenting events at our bi-monthly colloquium and annual student symposium, and networking through seminar presentations and small group interactions with invited guests. Additionally, we seek to promote a collaborative environment among members of the department (students, fellows, and faculty) with a variety of social events. We also provide academic support for younger graduate students by helping them prepare for their qualifying exams by setting up mock exams. Overall, the BPSA seeks to expand the experiences of students, fellows, and even the faculty in our department.

View the Biochemistry Postdoctoral Researcher and Student Association's Constitution

2026 - 2027 Officers

President – Louis Otero
Vice President – Andrea Ascura
Post-doc Liaison – Heather Hartmann
Colloquium Committee – Ali Angelos, Jessilyn Gao, and Pate Hill
Qualifying Exam Committee – Sander Haigh, Aleksya Drobshoff, Jacob Zuckerman, and Lily Liu
Social/Wellness Committee – Aleksya Drobshoff, Katie Jo Gelasco, Sharon Roth, and Jessilyn Gao
Communications Committee – Katie Jo Gelasco and Sharon Roth

Special Session Committees

Frontiers Search Committee — Sharon Roth and Jordan Stacy

2026 Retreat Committee – Sander Haigh, Aleksya Drobshoff, Jordan Stacy, Gabriella Gonzalez, Andrea Ascura, Ali Angelos

Responsibilities

Assist with qualifying exam preparation for second years in the department, including organizing mock qualifying exams
Host a bi-weekly colloquium series
Provide a variety of social events
Help organize Biochemistry Department retreats
Author a monthly BPSA newsletter
Support and advocate for biochemistry grad students and postdocs

Events

Biweekly Colloquium

The Biochemistry Student Colloquium takes place every other Friday at noon. This seminar series is designed to allow students and post-docs to present their research to a group of students, post-docs, and faculty in a relaxed environment. The BPSA board presents updates at the start of each colloquium. In person with zoom option, please reach out for zoom link.
Click here to view the Biochemistry Student Colloquium schedule.
Social Events

The BPSA periodically sponsors social events to allow for more informal moments for members of the department to get to know each other. Social events may include a variety of activities to appeal to the varying interests of members of the department, including a “whine and cheese” event, trivia, canvas painting, nature hike, game night, book club, and other activities. Subscribe to the Outlook BCHM events calendar to attend the next fun activity.
Coffee & Conversations

This series takes place a few times every semester and is designed to facilitate discussions between faculty and trainees on various topics in an informal setting (coffee and a light breakfast are provided).
BPSA Mentorship Program

The goal of the BPSA Mentorship Program is to provide a safe space for BCHM graduate students, specifically 2nd- and 3rd-years, to talk with a peer one-to-one on any topic(s) of their choosing. We hope that this program will help students broaden their network within the BCHM department as well also establish informal advisors outside of their personal labs. We can help you plan a mock qualifying exam.

BPSA Google Calendar

Integrate the BPSA Google Calendar.

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Current BPSA Calendar