The American Society of Biomechanics is the primary society for biomechanics research in the United States. The Society's annual meeting brings together an interdisciplinary group of researchers interested in the application of mechanical principles to biological problems, both basic and applied. The 2015 annual meeting, which will be held in Columbus, Ohio, is being hosted by faculty at the Ohio State University. The meeting will feature a variety of activities designed to foster lively interchange of ideas, including podim presentations, invited symposia, keynote lectures, poster presentations, topical tutorials, and laboratory tours. Student participation and mentoring are priorities for the Society. Meeting attendance is anticipated to exceed 600 delegates, of which about 40% are expected to be students. Thus, mechanisms have been established to specifically encourage and support the participation of women, underrepresented minorities and persons with disabilities. The 2015 meeting will include several activities to foster diversity and support the needs of attendees from diverse backgrounds. These activities include a one-to-one mentoring program, student award sessions and breakfasts to provide a forum for the discussion of career strategies and issues for women and minorities, as well as social events that will serve to engage student participants. An innovation for this year's meeting is the creation of a Diversity Scholarship program to encourage greater attendance by students and trainees from under-represented minority backgrounds. Funding of this proposal will enable this Diversity Scholarship program to ensure that our society builds the most diverse base of young active members who over time will become the future leaders of the society and the field.
The American Society of Biomechanics is the primary scientific organization for biomechanics research in the United States. The annual meeting will be hosted by faculty of the Ohio State University. The meeting will take place at the Hyatt Regency and Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio from August 5-8, 2015. The meeting promotes student participation with a particular emphasis on the participation of students from under-represented backgrounds. This proposal seeks funding to create a Diversity Scholarship program targeted to increasing attendance by students and trainees from under-represented minorities.
