David Raymond Weaver IOS-0964901 2010 Pineal Cell Biology Gordon Research Conference
The 11th Gordon Research Conference on Pineal Cell Biology: Mechanisms of Circadian Rhythmicity and Melatonin Action (Pineal GRC) will occur on February 7-12, 2010, in Galveston, Texas. The Pineal GRC will provide a forum for presentation and discussion of new developments and ideas in this exciting, interdisciplinary field, including aspects of melatonin and circadian rhythmicity from the diverse viewpoints of expertise in retinal phototransduction, chronobiology, brain development, neuronal signaling, genomics, metabolism, and cancer. The major objective of this meeting is to promote interaction among a diverse group of scientists in the cloistered Gordon Conference format, leading to information exchange, new experimental strategies, new hypotheses, and ideas for future projects and collaborations. Stimulating and intense discussion will lead to insights into general principles, and will identify key areas for future research into the impact of melatonin and circadian rhythms on physiological functions.
Special efforts have being made to encourage the participation of women, underrepresented scientists, and those at early stages of their careers. A significant number of the attendees will be doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows, and interactions at the meeting will foster professional growth and career development, enhance networking and promote diversity in the field of pineal cell biology. The Conference will thus contribute positively to the professional development of women, underrepresented groups, and scientists early in their careers.
The Gordon Research Conference on PINEAL CELL BIOLOGY was held at Hotel Galvez, Galveston, TX, February 7-12, 2010. The Conference was well-attended with 107 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 107 attendees, 48 voluntarily responded to a general inquiry regarding ethnicity which appears on our registration forms. Of the 48 respondents, 8% were Minorities – 2% Hispanic, 4% Asian, and 2% African American. Approximately 41% of the participants at the 2010 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 In designing the formal speakers program, emphasis was placed on current unpublished research and discussion of the future target areas in this field.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.
