FASEB Hosted Sessions at NPA Annual Conference

By: Nabila Riaz and France-Elvie Banda
Thursday, April 10, 2025
FASEB hosted two concurrent sessions at the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) annual conference on March 21 and 22 in Boston, MA, focusing on postdoctoral scholar (postdoc) benefits and supporting diverse postdoc communities.

On March 21, FASEB led a session titled “Making Your Case: Developing Written Responses for Driving Advocacy Efforts,” designed to equip postdocs with essential science advocacy skills. Speakers included Nabila Riaz, PhD, Science Policy Analyst at FASEB, and NPA Advocacy Committee Co-Chairs Sara M. Dann, PhD, and Azmi A. Ahmad, PhD. The session was divided into three parts. It began with an overview of the importance of engaging with federal agencies and institutions, highlighting the value of strong policy-writing skills for advocacy at both local and national levels. Presenters discussed effective strategies for crafting Responses to Requests for Information, Public Comments, Op-Eds, Policy Memos, and Congressional Letters. Following the presentations, attendees joined breakout groups to draft a written response framework addressing NIH's 15% cap on indirect costs. This interactive portion also allowed participants to connect with others who were passionate about advancing postdoc-related issues through advocacy.

FASEB’s second session, titled “A Reverse Mentoring Model: Addressing Bias and Fostering Belonging for Postdocs,” centered on utilizing culturally aware mentorship as a vehicle to create change agents in the scientific research community who can effectively challenge existing social and institutional barriers. Speakers included Damon Runyon, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Boston Children’s Hospital, Saket Bagde, PhD, and France-Elvie Banda, MA, DEAI Program Manager at FASEB. In addition to detailing the Reverse Mentoring model, which flips traditional mentoring roles by matching early career mentors to more established mentees, Badge also shared examples of how he structured and led his mentoring relationship experience as a former LEAD reverse mentee. The presenters also walked attendees through a case study on conflict resolution and inclusive communication. The session ended with a survey on what early-career researchers need the most in mentoring relationships; support, encouragement, and validation topped the list. 

FASEB is a long-standing supporter of the NPA and its overarching mission to support postdocs.