Welcome to the UVa Biology Graduate Student and Post-doctoral Association page!
The Graduate Student and Post-doc Association (GSPA) is an advocacy group for graduate students and post-docs that are in the biology department or work in Gilmer Hall. The main purposes of GSPA are 1) to promote intellectual discourse across the various disciplines of the Biology Department, 2) to choose and invite speakers to give talks to the department, 3) to solicit and discuss administrative issues that affect the lives of graduate students and post-docs and 4) to expose graduate students and post-docs to ideas on career development that are not part of the training provided by the Biology Department.
Current Presidents:
| Robin Costello (email) | Ryan Grippo (email) |
Visit us on Facebook!
UPCOMING EVENTS!
- Monday, Dec. 11, 10:00am, in GIL 227: GSPA meeting, complete with Bodo's bagels
- Tuesday, Dec. 12, 5:00pm, in GIL 290 (Academic Commons): GSPA hosts the annual Holiday Party! Dinner catered by Red Hub, Trivia Written by Eric Swanson, White Elephant Gift Exchange (<$15), Ugly Sweaters Encouraged, Potluck Desserts
GSPA Travel Award (COMING SOON)
Download Application
GSPA Statement of Purpose:
The Graduate Student and Post-doc Association (GSPA) is an advocacy group for graduate students and post-docs that are in the biology department or work in Gilmer Hall. The main purposes of GSPA are 1) to promote intellectual discourse across the various disciplines of the Biology Department, 2) to choose and invite speakers to give talks to the department, 3) to solicit and discuss administrative issues that affect the lives of graduate students and post-docs and 4) to expose graduate students and post-docs to ideas on career development that are not part of the training provided by the Biology Department.
GSPA meetings:
Held monthly, these meetings provide opportunities to discuss upcoming seminar speakers, to plan Graduate events, and for discussions regarding the program or issues facing members. This semester, meetings will be held on the 2nd Monday of the month at 10:00am in GIL 227. Bagels will be provided, but we will discuss other food options going forward. The first organizational meeting this year will be held on Monday, Sept. 11, at 10:00am in Gilmer Hall Rm. 227.
Annual meeting with the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS):
Questions and concerns regarding academic or administrative issues about the program are solicited beforehand for a meeting and discussion with the DGS.
GSPA Invited Speakers:
Each year GSPA members nominate speakers and vote on two to invite to UVa.
The 2018 GSPA invited speakers are: (TBA)
Happy Hours
Happy hours are hosted in the PLSB 3rd floor commons on Fridays starting at 5pm. These social events are open to graduate students, post-docs, and faculty, and offer opportunities for casual social networking and academic (and not-so-academic) discussions. Grad students and post-docs are notified about upcoming events via email.
Please visit these other Graduate Organizations:
GSASC (website)
The Graduate Student Council of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences has three functions:
1. to debate issues of concern to GSAS graduate students
2. to communicate the concerns of GSAS graduate students to the administration
3. to allocate the student activity fee paid by GSAS graduate students every semester.
Meetings are held monthly during the regular academic year, and are attended by representatives from all GSAS departments and degree-granting programs although they are open to all students who wish to attend.
WIMS (website)
The Women in Math and Science at UVA is a group of graduate students and faculty focused on promoting the professional and personal goals of women scientists and mathematicians on the UVA campus.
One of our main goals is to facilitate mentoring between the faculty, post-doctoral fellows, and graduate students within all science and math departments. We also reach out to the greater Charlottesville community by providing educational opportunities for future female scientists and mathematicians.
In general, we strive to create an environment in which women are empowered to succeed in their chosen fields.
Join our mailing list: