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Olivia K. Cook, a College of Arts and Sciences\u2019 Dean\u2019s Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of Psychology and the Learning Systems Institute has been named the 2026 National Postdoc of the Year by the National Postdoctoral Association. (College of Arts and Sciences)\t\t<\/p>\n
A\u00a0Florida State University\u00a0scholar has been named the 2026 National Postdoc of the Year by the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) for significantly advancing\u00a0the postdoctoral community through exceptional service and leadership beyond her primary research duties.<\/p>\n
Olivia K. Cook, a\u00a0College of Arts and Sciences\u2019<\/a>\u00a0Dean\u2019s Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of Psychology<\/a> and the Learning Systems Institute<\/a>,\u00a0received the award March 13 at the\u00a0NPA\u2019s annual conference in San Francisco.\u00a0The 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.<\/p>\n FSU\u00a0Associate Dean and Director of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs<\/a>\u00a0Debra Ann Fadool, in her nomination letter,\u00a0described Cook\u00a0as \u201ctireless\u201d in her efforts to improve the academic training environment\u00a0and noted her extensive service role with the FSU Postdoctoral Association, including serving as president.<\/p>\n Fadool shared\u00a0Cook\u2019s support of her\u00a0fellow\u00a0postdocs\u00a0through\u00a0launching initiatives like the \u201cPostdoc of the Month\u201d feature in the Postdoctoral Monthly Newsletter and by creating Postdoctoral \u201cOffice Hours\u201d to\u00a0provide\u00a0informal 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThis award speaks to the collective efforts of concurrent and former leaders of FSU\u2019s Postdoctoral Association,\u201d Cook said. \u201cI am hopeful that this platform can bring attention to causes in need of additional advocacy, such as postdocs\u2019 access to healthcare, childcare, and paid parental leave.\u201d<\/p>\n Brad Schmidt, chair of the Department of Psychology,\u00a0said\u00a0Cook\u00a0exemplifies what the prestigious national award is about.<\/p>\n \u201cThrough 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,\u201d Schmidt said. \u201cShe 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\u2019s learning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Cook, received the award on Friday, March 13, at the NPA\u2019s annual conference in San Francisco. The award recognizes a postdoc who has advanced the postdoctoral community in an exceptional manner beyond their work duties.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/OC-1.3.jpg\")
Cook addresses the audience after receiving the award at the NPA\u2019s annual conference in San Francisco.<\/p>\n