A Florida State University scholar has been named the 2026 National Postdoc of the Year by the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) for significantly advancing the postdoctoral community through exceptional service and leadership beyond her primary research duties.

Olivia K. Cook, a College of Arts and Sciences’ Dean’s Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of Psychology and the Learning Systems Institute, received the award March 13 at the NPA’s annual conference in San Francisco. The award recognizes a postdoc who has advanced the postdoctoral community in an exceptional manner beyond their work duties and in alignment with the NPA mission and core values.

FSU Associate Dean and Director of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs Debra Ann Fadool, in her nomination letter, described Cook as “tireless” in her efforts to improve the academic training environment and noted her extensive service role with the FSU Postdoctoral Association, including serving as president.

Fadool shared Cook’s support of her fellow postdocs through launching initiatives like the “Postdoc of the Month” feature in the Postdoctoral Monthly Newsletter and by creating Postdoctoral “Office Hours” to provide informal guidance for new postdocs at FSU. These efforts helped newcomers adjust to life in Tallahassee, transition into their roles, and get answers to questions about healthcare and benefits.

As one of the leaders in the FSU Postdoctoral Association, Cook developed a survey of postdoctoral scholar health and well-being and used the results to provide policy recommendations to the university, and she was a staunch advocate of instituting paid parental leave for postdocs at FSU.

“This award speaks to the collective efforts of concurrent and former leaders of FSU’s Postdoctoral Association,” Cook said. “I am hopeful that this platform can bring attention to causes in need of additional advocacy, such as postdocs’ access to healthcare, childcare, and paid parental leave.”

Brad Schmidt, chair of the Department of Psychology, said Cook exemplifies what the prestigious national award is about.

“Through her work with the FSU Postdoctoral Association, she has made contributions way above the norm that will have long term impacts on current and future postdoctoral scholars at FSU and beyond,” Schmidt said. “She is a great leader to her peers and mentor to graduate and undergraduate students, and also a careful and skilled researcher doing meaningful research to help teachers and parents support children’s learning.”

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Florida State University recently celebrated its 13th annual National Postdoctoral Appreciation Week with a series of events recognizing the research, mentorship and contributions of postdoctoral scholars.

Hosted by the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, the week included an adviser/mentor breakfast, a poster session, a research presentation competition and an awards ceremony.

“This week is about shining a spotlight on the incredible work our postdocs do,” said Debra Ann Fadool, distinguished research professor, associate dean and director of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs. “They are the backbone of our research enterprise, and we’re proud to celebrate their achievements.”

The celebration began with a rooftop coffee and pastry social at the King Life Sciences Building, where postdocs and faculty mentors gathered for informal conversations and community building.

The Fall Postdoctoral Symposium, held at the College of Medicine, featured a poster session and the 5-Minute Research (5MR) Competition. Ten finalists presented their research in five minutes or less, covering topics across health, physics, engineering and public policy.

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