The proposed meeting for the 2011 Photosynthesis Gordon Research Seminar and Conference (GRS)/(GRC) will be held June 11-17, 2011 at Davidson College in Davidson, NC. The 2011 Photosynthesis GRS and GRC will present cutting-edge research focusing on topics of emerging importance in photosynthesis research that urgently need to be addressed. Photosynthesis is the biological process that converts solar energy into chemical energy, providing the raw materials for growth, development, and reproduction of photosynthetic microbes and plants, which are sources of food, fiber, and fuel for humans. The goal is to inspire the photosynthesis research community to address these pressing scientific and societal problems. The specific objectives of the 2011 Photosynthesis GRS/GRC are: (1) to provide a forum for presentation and in-depth discussion of the latest, cutting-edge research on photosynthesis, (2) to promote interdisciplinary interactions and collaboration in photosynthesis research, and (3) to advance the careers of junior scientists and to inspire the next generation of photosynthesis researchers.
Broader Impacts The 2011 Photosynthesis Gordon Research Seminar and Conference anticipates significant participation by graduate students and postdocs from underrepresented groups. The Chair of the Gordon Research Seminar is a female graduate student who is a member of an underrepresented group, and she will actively recruit participants from universities that serve diverse populations. In addition, approximately 10 junior investigators will be selected as GRS speakers from submitted abstracts, and eight of the 33 invited GRC speakers and discussion leaders are graduate students, postdocs, or Assistant Professors. The representation of female speakers and discussion leaders at the GRC exceeds the typical percentage of Photosynthesis GRC attendees, and one of the GRC speakers has a major physical disability.
The Gordon Research Conference on PHOTOSYNTHESIS was held at Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina, June 12-17, 2011. The Conference was well-attended with 129 participants (attendees list attached). The attendees represented the spectrum of endeavor in this field coming from academia, industry, and government laboratories, both U.S. and foreign scientists, senior researchers, young investigators, and students. Of the 129 attendees, 51 voluntarily responded to a general inquiry regarding ethnicity which appears on our registration forms. Of the 51 respondents, 24% were Minorities – 2% Hispanic, 22% Asian and 0% African American. Approximately 34% of the participants at the 2011 meeting were women. The Gordon Research Seminar on PHOTOSYNTHESIS was held at Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina, June 11-12, 2011. The Conference was well-attended with 34 participants (attendees list attached). The attendees represented the spectrum of endeavor in this field coming from academia, industry, and government laboratories, both U.S. and foreign scientists, senior researchers, young investigators, and students. Of the 34 attendees, 18 voluntarily responded to a general inquiry regarding ethnicity which appears on our registration forms. Of the 18 respondents, 6% were Minorities – 0% Hispanic, 6% Asian and 0% African American. Approximately 41% of the participants at the 2011 meeting were women. In designing the formal speakers program, emphasis was placed on current unpublished research and discussion of the future target areas in this field. There was a conscious effort to stimulate lively discussion about the key issues in the field today. Time for formal presentations was limited in the interest of group discussions. In order that more scientists could communicate their most recent results, poster presentation time was scheduled. Attached is a copy of the formal schedule and speaker program and the poster program. In addition to these formal interactions, "free time" was scheduled to allow informal discussions. Such discussions are fostering new collaborations and joint efforts in the field.
