Postdoctoral Association of the University of Nevada, Reno
The University of Nevada, Reno Postdoctoral Association (UNRPA) is a volunteer organization formed in 2021 both by and for the University's postdocs.
Our mission is to improve the postdoctoral experience both at the University and in academia. We do this by supporting fellow postdocs in your transitions to and from the University; enhancing your research and training opportunities while here; and advocating for the inclusive and equitable transformation of academia. We empower postdocs to become bold and effective leaders in academia, industry and community.
Membership
All postdoctoral scholars at the University of Nevada, Reno are automatically included in UNRPA and welcome to attend meetings, events and discussions relevant to postdocs.
Executive leadership
Alex Aupetit, Ph.D.
Chair
Alex is a postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Physiology and Cell Biology at the School of Medicine. As a physiologist specializing in vascular research, his work explores the regulation of blood flow in the eye and brain. Beyond research, Alex has been actively engaged in University governance, serving on academic and laboratory boards during his previous appointments. He is currently chairing the University of Nevada, Reno Postdoctoral Association. Passionate about his field, he also enjoys practicing yoga and cooking French cuisine.
Angie Lenard, Ph.D.
Operations Manager
Angie is a postdoctoral scholar working in the Biology Department. Angie is an ecologist and evolutionary biologist broadly interested in how organisms respond to anthropogenic change. Her current research focuses on pollinator biodiversity and landscape pesticide contamination of butterfly host plants in the Central Valley. She is the current Operations Manager of the University of Nevada, Reno Postdoctoral Association. She is passionate about mentoring and enjoys reading, video games, and hiking with her dog.
Vidya Murthy, Ph.D.
Events and Social Media Coordinator
Vidya received her Ph.D. from the University of Nevada, Reno and is currently a postdoctoral scholar in the department of Physiology and Cell Biology. Her work focuses on neurodegenerative diseases and heart disease, aiming to advance understanding and develop therapeutic treatments. She is the current Events & Social Media Coordinator for the Postdoctoral Association. Outside of the lab, Vidya finds joy in the company of dogs and has diverse interests including photography, hiking, traveling, and experimenting with food in the kitchen.
Pruthvi Acharya, Ph.D.
Finance Officer
Pruthvi is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Geological Sciences and Engineering. As a planetary scientist, his work leverages high-resolution imagery to investigate seasonal changes of ices on Mars. He's currently developing daily mosaics that capture these dynamic surface processes in unprecedented detail. Outside of the lab, he's passionate about music, poetry and astrophotography. He is the current Finance Officer of the Postdoctoral Association, devoted to improving the environment and opportunities for postdocs at the University.
Organizational structure
The chair oversees the effective running of the association with close support from the officers. A key focus of this position is enhancing postdoc recognition and the association’s long-term sustainability within the university environment through advancing relationships with the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, administration, relevant faculty, student groups, and associations, as the official representative of UNRPA. Further, the Chair collaboratively networks with postdoctoral associations and other relevant higher education stakeholders. Within the association, the Chair provides strong leadership and guidance in developing actionable initiatives that contribute to the association's longer-term strategic directions.
The Operations Manager will acquire all the Chair's responsibilities when the Chair is unable to perform them and assist in fulfilling the Chair's duties as needed, through agreement with the Chair. Other duties include managing meeting agendas and minutes, and disseminating a draft of these minutes to UNRPA members via the e-mail listserv (or another form of communication, e.g., Slack Channel) before the next meeting, and the efficient archiving of information. The incumbent provides administrative support to the association’s endeavors and relevant stakeholders, including that relevant information, is communicated to postdoc members.
The Events and Social Media Coordinator develops initiatives and resources to enhance the postdoctoral experience at the University, by creating opportunities for professional development and networking for postdoctoral scholars, in addition to organizing events that raise the profile of postdocs and highlight their work at the campus scale. Responsibilities of this position include community-building both within the postdoctoral community, and within the larger University community including students, staff, and faculty. Other responsibilities include developing and maintaining the Postdoctoral Association’s communications channels and online outreach activities.
The Finance Officer is responsible for the financial status of the Association. The incumbent will manage and monitor the expenditure of funding and provide regular reporting on the financial health of the Association to the directors and relevant University parties and maintain compliance with university regulations. A key focus of this position is to develop initiatives that enhance the association’s financial health and longevity, including developing alternative and non-traditional mechanisms to obtain funding that lie outside of the University.