INTELLECTUAL MERIT: Biomineralization is an important area of research at the interface of biology, geochemistry, materials science, and medicine. The topic is significant for human health (covering, for example, aspects of bone and tooth diseases) as well as for engineering science by providing models for bioinspired engineering. The conference has been designed to maximize interactions that can serve to enlighten participants from diverse backgrounds and foster new, interdisciplinary collaborations.
BROADER IMPACTS: The conference brings together a broad spectrum of scientists with interests in biomineralization, who work at the interfaces of biology, geochemistry, materials science, osteochondral physiology, and regenerative medicine. The conjoined Gordon Research Seminar will enable 50 students and young career researchers to present their work and hold fruitful discussions immediately prior to the GRC. Support for participant attendance will be provided with appropriate attention to the NSF priority of broadening participation.
The Gordon Research Conference on BIOMINERALIZATION was held at Colby-Sawyer College New London, New Hampshire, August 12-17, 2012. The Conference was well-attended with 177 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 177 attendees, 66 voluntarily responded to a general inquiry regarding ethnicity which appears on our registration forms. Of the 66 respondents, 19% were Minorities – 2% Hispanic, 17% Asian and 0% African American. Approximately 36% of the participants at the 2012 meeting were women. The Gordon Research Seminar on BIOMINERALIZATION was held at Colby-Sawyer College New London, New Hampshire, August 11-12, 2012. The Seminar was well-attended with 49 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 49 attendees, 15 voluntarily responded to a general inquiry regarding ethnicity which appears on our registration forms. Of the 15 respondents, 7% were Minorities – 0% Hispanic, 20% Asian and 0% African American. Approximately 49% of the participants at the 2012 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. Thank you for your support of this Conference. As you know, in the interest of promoting the presentation of unpublished and frontier-breaking research, Gordon Research Conferences does not permit publication of meeting proceedings.
