Postdoc Appreciation Week (PAW) celebrates postdoctoral scholars and their invaluable contributions to UAB's research community. OPE is, therefore, excited to recognize postdocs during this year's PAW, happening September 15-19, 2025.
Check your email for exciting events happening each day. Highlights include kittens, trivia, donuts, movies, pizza, and swag!
Postdoctoral Appreciation Awards Ceremony
One of the most fulfilling parts of Postdoc Appreciation Week is the opportunity to publicly honor the amazing work of our postdocs. The first ever Postdoctoral Appreciation Awards Ceremony took place in 2015, and we are excited to continue that tradition with this year's ceremony taking place during the Annual Postdoc Lunch on Friday, September 19th at the Alumni House.
Nominations for these awards come from faculty mentors and postdoctoral peers. Thus, please consider nominating a postdoc today! Nominations are open until September 5, 2025.
Faculty-Nominated Awards
Extraordinary First-Year Postdoctoral Scholar: This award recognizes a postdoctoral scholar who has quickly become an invaluable asset to their research team, demonstrating exceptional promise and dedication from the start.
Most Esteemed Postdoctoral Scholar: Celebrating our most distinguished postdoctoral scholar, this award honors one who has an impressive number of peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. They have made significant contributions to research and academic excellence.
Blazing Dragon Award: This award honors a lone postdoctoral scholar in a faculty mentor's research team. They are blazing a trail with their unique insights and efforts.
To access the faculty nomination form, please click HERE.
Peer-Nominated Awards
Community-Minded Award: This award acknowledges postdoctoral scholars dedicated to serving local, national, or international communities, thereby reflecting a deep commitment to making a positive impact beyond their research space.
Dr. Congeniality Award: This award recognizes the postdoctoral scholar whose kind and pleasant demeanor brightens the workplace, thereby fostering a positive and supportive work environment for all.
Excellent Peer Award: This award honors a postdoctoral scholar who consistently extends their talents, patience, and time to assist other scholars and researchers and, thus, exemplifies true collegiality and support.
The Dory Award: This award celebrates resilience and perseverance. Thus, it is for a postdoctoral scholar who, despite facing setbacks and obstacles, has relentlessly pushed forward to successfully complete their projects.
To access the peer nomination form, please click HERE.