The 54th Maize Genetics Conference (MGC) will be held at the Pheasant Run Resort, St. Charles, IL on March 14-17, 2013. This conference assembles scientists from industry and academia to discuss the latest research developments on many areas encompassing maize genetics The 2013 conference will have an outstanding program consisting of four plenary speakers: Michael J. Scanlon (Cornell University), Julia Bailey-Serres (University of California, Riverside), Jen Sheen (Harvard Medical School), and James Holland (USDA-ARS/North Carolina State University). The core program will consist of 35 18-minute oral talks scheduled in the morning sessions and two afternoon poster sessions with the four plenary talks held in the evening. The 2013 MGC meeting will have a special drought workshop consisting of oral presentations by scientists from academia and industry [Marc Cooper (Dupont Pioneer), Roberto Tuberosa (University of Bologna) and Dan Dyer (Syngenta Seeds) followed by a panel discussion on future strategies to enhance drought tolerance in this major cereal crop.
The Maize Genetics Conference is not only an exciting scientific meeting but provides outstanding opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral scientists to interact with outstanding scientists within and outside the maize community. The meeting actively emphasizes and supports the training of students and postdocs in developing their communication and interpersonal skills. The conference is unique in that it attempts to support the hotel and meal costs of all student attendees. Detailed efforts are planned to broaden the participation of women and members of groups under-represented in the sciences. The funding provided by NSF will broaden participation and help defray the costs of participation of students from the U.S. scientific community.
PI: Philip W. Becraft Co-PI: Paula McSteen Intellectual Merit The experiences of attending a Maize Genetics Conference—the exposure to cutting edge research, the scientific interactions, and the contacts established—are vital catalysts for students and postdocs aspiring to scientific careers. The Maize Genetics Conference provides outstanding opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral scientists to meet and interact with an international gathering of scientists in the field, to discuss their research while presenting talks or posters, and to establish scientific networks that will be valuable as they embark on their careers. The 55th Annual Maize Genetics Conference was held March 14-17, 2013 at the Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, Illinois. Members of the scientific community convened to present and discuss their most recent research relevant to maize genetics and plant biology. The program featured four 45-minute talks by invited plenary speakers: Michael J. Scanlon (Cornell University), Julia Bailey-Serres (University of California, Riverside), Jen Sheen (Harvard Medical School), and James Holland (USDA-ARS / North Carolina State University). In response to the historic drought in 2012, there was also a special workshop on drought related maize research, including fundamental and applied research from academic and industry scientists: Roberto Tuberosa, (University of Bologna), Mark Cooper (DuPont Pioneer) and Daniel Dyer (Syngenta Seeds, Inc.). In addition, the program included 32 20-minute talks by speakers selected from among 72 submitted abstracts. The program included sessions on Genome Structure, Function & Evolution; Quantitative Genetics; Biochemical & Molecular Genetics; Cell & Developmental Genetics; New Resources & Approaches to Maize Research. There were also 354 research posters, which were presented during two poster sessions, and which remained available for viewing for the duration of the conference. Hence, conference attendees were exposed to cutting edge research a wide range of topics spanning the spectrum of maize genetics from basic studies of gene action to quantitative trait dissection to more applied topics relevant to crop improvement. The conference boasted a record 657 registered attendees, which was a surprising jump from previous years where the highest attendance was 579 in 2011. Broader impacts Attracting fresh young talent to the maize genetics field will be critical for the continuing improvement of the number one U.S. crop. Funding from NSF was used to broaden participation at the meeting through outreach and recruiting efforts that sought to support Conference attendance by first-time attending students, and students, postdocs and young faculty from underrepresented groups with an interest in exploring research possibilities in maize genetics. 40 students who were first-time attendees to the Maize Genetics Conference were supported by having their conference package costs paid. They represented 37 different laboratories at 22 different institutions. They were all U.S. citizens, 21 were females, 19 were males. 37 were Caucasians, 2 "other" and 1 did not report ethnicity. NSF funds were also used to support the MaGNET (Maize Genetics Network Enhancement through Travel) program which seeks to bring in underrepresented minority students, early career scientists, and mentors accompanying minority students. MaGNET awards provide conference packages, registration fees and travel support for successful applicants. The 10 MaGNET awardees included 5 graduate students, 3 undergraduate students, 1 early-career scientist, and 1 Faculty Mentor accompanying an eligible student. 8 were U.S. citizens and 2 permanent residents. There were 3 Native Americans, 3 African Americans, 3 Hispanics and the Faculty Mentor was Asian. 7 were males and 3 females. Most of the MaGNET awardees indicated they would not have been able to attend the conference without the financial support. Thus, the NSF funds supported a total of 49 new attendees to the Maize Genetics Conference, exposing them to ongoing maize research and introducing them to the maize genetics community.
