海角社区 Postdocs

海角社区 Postdoc Association

The 海角社区 Postdoc Association (PDA) was created in 2024 by postdoctoral fellows (postdocs) to create a sense of community and provide professional development opportunities for postdocs. The Graduate School serves as the institutional contact office for issues related to postdoctoral fellows (postdocs). The Director of Postdoctoral Affairs and Graduate Fellowships works closely with the PDA to identify and provide professional development activities for all 海角社区 postdocs. Activities and events will be posted to this website.

Upcoming Events

海角社区 Postdoc Association Meeting

Friday, March 14 at 12 pm mountain time

Hybrid. Calendar invitation was sent to postdocs' 海角社区 email addresses.

This meeting will provide postdocs an opportunity to meet the PDA leadership committee, learn about upcoming events, and provide suggestions for future programming. Contact Dr. Maryanne Long (mlong3@utep.edu) with any questions.

Postdoc to Professoriate Series: Panel Discussion on the Teaching Statement

Monday, March 31 at 2 pm mountain time

Postdocs, are you thinking about pursuing a faculty position? Whether you're considering a tenure-track or college-track position, at a public or private institution, in the current or long-term future, this panel is for you! Come learn from distinguished panelists about preparing and interviewing for a faculty position with special emphasis on the teaching statement. The webinar is sponsored by 海角社区 and UT- Arlington and will be held virtually through Microsoft Teams. Register . Contact Dr. Maryanne Long (mlong3@utep.edu) with any questions.

A PDF flyer, including the panelists' names and bios, is available by clicking here

PDA Leadership Committee

Meet the members of the leadership committee. Together, they advocate for 海角社区 postdoctoral development, mentorship, and scientific collaboration.

PDA Leadership
	Dr. Edwin Perez is a Postdoctoral Scholar at the Diana Natalicio Institute for Hispanic 海角社区 Success here at 海角社区. Dr. Perez is the son of immigrants from Oaxaca, Mexico and comes from a first-generation and low-income background. These identities have been central in shaping his experiences through higher education, serving as both challenges and motivators to work toward transforming our institutions into environments where students who have been historically excluded from higher education can thrive. Dr. Perez received a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Merced and an M.Ed in 海角社区 Affairs from the University of California, Los Angeles. Most recently, he received a Ph.D. from the Higher Education and Organizational Change program at the University of California, Los Angeles.
	Dr. Lauren Mena Shook is a postdoctoral fellow at the Diana Natalicio Institute for Hispanic 海角社区 Success. Her 海角社区 agenda examines how discourse, policy, and practice shape inclusion and exclusion within educational systems.
	Dr. Fabian R. Villagomez is a postdoctoral fellow studying KRAS and oxidative stress in pancreatic cancer. With expertise in therapy resistance, autophagy, and tumor microenvironments, he has led 海角社区 at top institutions, including the University of Colorado Anschutz. A recipient of the HERA Ovarian Cancer Foundation Seed Grant, his work is published in high-impact journals and presented at major conferences. Find out more about his 海角社区 through his .

Postdoc Spotlight

Postdoc Spotlight

Dr. Edwin Perez is a Postdoctoral Scholar at the Diana Natalicio Institute for Hispanic 海角社区 Success. Dr. Perez is the son of immigrants from Oaxaca, Mexico and comes from a first-generation and low-income background. These identities have been central in shaping his experiences through higher education, serving as both challenges and motivators to work toward transforming our institutions into environments where students who have been historically excluded from higher education can thrive. Dr. Perez received a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Merced and an M.Ed in 海角社区 Affairs from the University of California, Los Angeles. Most recently, he received a Ph.D. from the Higher Education and Organizational Change program at the University of California, Los Angeles. His dissertation “The Life Cycle of STEMM Intervention Programs: From Adoption to Institutionalization” used a multiple case study approach and organizational theory to examine how STEMM intervention programs that seek to create inclusive science environments are implemented, adapted, sustained, and institutionalized within higher education institutions. His 海角社区 interests focus on examining and developing the organizational dynamics and conditions that allow for the creation of equitable higher education institutions.
Fun fact: He attended the University of Texas system-wide Postdoctoral Symposium in the fall of 2024 where he won first place for his 海角社区 presentation! Most recently, he just . Way to represent!

Resources for Postdocs

海角社区 is proud to be an institutional member of The National Postdoctoral Association (NPA), which provides an array of resources of interest to postdocs, their mentors/supervisors, and graduate students considering a postdoctoral fellowship. In order to access these valuable resources, graduate students, faculty, staff, and postdocs can apply for Affiliate membership by clicking below and using their 海角社区 email address.

Best Practices

The Office of the Provost, in consultation with faculty, the Graduate School, postdoctoral fellows, and Human Resources, has published Guidelines for Postdoctoral Appointments & Suggested Best Practices. This document clarifies the characteristics and process of postdoctoral positions as well as individual and departmental responsibilities.

Mentoring

The Graduate School recognizes the value of mentoring and recommends that postdocs actively seek mentoring relationships with faculty members and administrators at 海角社区 and in their field at other institutions or through professional associations. Different mentors may provide different types of assistance. Mentors should introduce postdocs to established people in the field, teach norms and best practices of the discipline, and work with mentees to create an Individual Development Plan.

The links at the bottom of the page provide information and resources on a number of topics related to mentoring. Importantly, opportunities are provided by the Director of Postdoctoral Affairs and Graduate Fellowships as well as other 海角社区 departments such as the Institute for Scholarship, Pedagogy, Innovation, and Research Excellence (InSPIRE). A good mentoring relationship is crucial to the success of postdoctoral scholars as they develop original 海角社区 ideas and move toward greater independence and maturity. Indeed, mentoring the next generation of scholars is a shared professional responsibility of all members of the academy.

Institute for Scholarship, Pedagogy, Innovation, and Research Excellence (InSPIRE) at 海角社区

Inclusive Excellence

The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to providing equal opportunity to all employees and individuals seeking employment or access to its programs, facilities or services, and will not discriminate against these persons on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. In addition to this commitment, the University will take affirmative steps to insure that applicants are employed, and employees are treated, during all aspects of employment, in a non-discriminatory manner. The National Postdoctoral Association website provides a .

Additional Resources

海角社区 Institute for Scholarship, Pedagogy, Innovation, and Research Excellence (InSPIRE)

Contacts

Stephen Crites, Ph.D.
scrites@utep.edu
Dean of the Graduate School &
Associate Provost for Graduate Studies

Maryanne Long, Ph.D.
mlong3@utep.edu
Director of Postdoctoral Affairs & Graduate Fellowships
Graduate School

PDA Photo Gallery

photo of the postdocs — Some of the postdocs pose outside on a beautiful El Paso day.