The SIVB experience
Sumaria Zumarrad
If first impressions of anything are really the ones that you remember forever, then I must say my experience at the SIVB world congress 2008 will be one that I will never forget! I had started preparing for this meeting as early as January of this year and all the anxiety about completing the papers, submitting the abstracts, and making the poster, were all absolutely worth it.
I arrived in Tucson, Arizona anxious about my presentation at the interactive poster session and the poster competition the most. Was I prepared enough? Had I thought of answers for all the little questions that I could get grilled with by the vast majority of senior scientists, graduate students, and professors? Were my pants a darker black than my jacket!? And a number of other details flooded my mind that could become the subject of the seniors’ criticism. But to my surprise, throughout the meeting, all the other undergraduates from my lab and I were always treated as equally important scientists if nothing more! Our work was not inspected for errors, but was highly appreciated and encouraged.
The first day we arrived, we went to setup our posters and were able to walk around and see the other posters from both the animal and plant sections. This casual poster exhibit was an excellent opportunity to speak one on one with people whose work we were specifically interested in. I had a scientist come to my poster who was from the FDA and was very interested in my project, which was about the multiple beneficial biological properties of cloves. We had a very interesting discussion that left me appreciating my project even more. I had done work that had real significance!
The poster competition was next and my lab-mate and friend, Catherine and I had spent the time up to the competition revising, practicing and obsessing over our public speaking skills. Before the competition, one of the judges, Bill Smith came over to us and really helped ease our nerves. When it came time to present, their genuine interest in our work gave me a confidence boost and I was able to present so much better than I had ever before. For the interactive poster session, I got a larger audience, but by now, the encouragement and support I had received so far at the meeting made this presentation a breeze!
The other students and I attended a number of very interesting symposiums of which many were about up and coming advances and philosophies in science such as Bio fuels, and Cancer stem cells.
At this meeting, apart from the interactive presentations and educational symposiums, I was also able to see that scientists sure do know how to have fun! One evening, we all went to Old Tucson studios where many of the committee members were able to show their remarkable dancing abilities alongside Miss Kitty. Another evening we all went to a Wild West restaurant and dined on the yummiest burritos and churros.
This SIVB meeting was my first meeting and was definitely great. While in the taxi on my way to the airport, I found myself planning and thinking about how I would love to come to the next SIVB meeting in South Carolina!
Submitted by Sumaira Zamurrad
I arrived in Tucson, Arizona overcome with a mixture of fear and excitement. The SIVB World Congress was to be the first conference I had ever attended. Not only were the lectures I wanted to attend etched in my mind, but so were my presentations: the even author’s poster session, the student poster competition and the interactive session. As I tried to focus on what the taxi driver was saying (he was quite friendly compared to those I encounter in New York) the details of my poster were repeating over and over again in my mind: alternative non-lytic viability assays…Alamar Blue…MTS.
After arriving at the beautiful El Conquistador resort, a little bit of my nervousness was soothed by the gorgeous environment. As I was an even numbered author, my first night in Tucson meant setting up my poster and being on-hand to answer any questions. I was able to walk around and explore what other people were doing as well as answer questions presented to me.
The student poster competition and interactive session followed within the next two days, but overall both went really well. It was great to see another Stony Brook student, Sumaira Zamurrad, win the poster competition. Adrenaline powered me through my 5 minute interactive and the audience had quite a few good questions about my project.
The three other Stony Brook students and I also attended a variety of plant and animal lectures throughout the week. As this was my first conference, it meant so much to see the applications of three-dimensional tissue models and viability assays I use.
It is absolutely impossible to ignore the social aspect of the meeting. While joining our supervisor, Liz Roemer, and other members of the society in the hotel lobby one night, Sumaira and I were able to talk to the members we had seen moderating lectures all day. This held true during our visit to the Old Tucson Studios. We watched as cowboys arrested the president of the society and Miss Kitty and her dancers pulled up audience members on stage. I got a small glimpse of the other side of the society and I have to say I really enjoyed it.
I can’t express how welcome I felt at this meeting. It was not overwhelming for a newcomer and all of the members I met truly made an impact on me. I hope to attend next year’s meeting!
Submitted by Catherine Kavanaugh
STUDENTS -WE NEED YOU!!
Students who plan to attend the 2009 SIVB meeting and present posters or talks should apply for one of the SIVB travel grants. See the SIVB website for more information: https://sivb.org/awards/student-awards/sivb-student-travel-awards.html
Students who need specific plant tissue culture training should apply for the Philip White Award. If you need help finding a host lab, please contact Carol Stiff at kck@turbonet.com
Philip White Memorial Award
GUIDELINES FOR COMMITTEE
- The Philip White Memorial Award is a study award made in honor of Dr. Philip R. White, an eminent pioneer, teacher and researcher in plant cell and tissue culture techniques.
- The fund is to be used to supplement expenses for a student to further study plant tissue culture by acquiring specialized training in a plant-tissue-culture related technique not available at his/her home institution, by traveling to another laboratory. A stipend of up to $650 is awarded yearly for travel to, and training at, an institution of the awardees’ choice. It should not be used to supplement living expenses at a home institution.
- The award can be used to supplement other awards or scholarships, provided such other awards are not total payment for training.
- It must be used for direct training in a technique that involves plant tissue culture.
- Applicants for the award must substantiate that the training will extend their ability to perform research and/or development in a field which requires plant tissue culture. Applicants must be able to demonstrate interest and scholastic achievement,
- Please note that this is not restricted to U.S. residents.
Applicants need to provide via email:
- A statement of objectives and past training
- Type of training they will receive and where
- A letter from the volunteer trainer indicating that they will agree to train the person in specific tissue culture techniques at a specific site and a specific time period
- A list of funds needed for travel to the training site (airfare, hotels, meals, etc.)
- Letters of recommendation from two sources who are familiar with the applicants prior training and can substantiate that the applicant is a student
All materials should be emailed or faxed (1-608-868-2851) to the chairman of the Philip White Committee by March 1. The current chairman is Carol Stiff, kck@turbonet.com
Recipients of the award will be notified prior to the SIVB annual meeting in June.
Submitted by Carol Stiff
Special Student Opportunities
Porter Physiology Development Award
The goal of the Porter Physiology Development Program is to encourage diversity among students pursuing full-time studies toward a PhD (or D.Sc) in the physiological sciences, and to encourage their participation in the American Physiological Society. The Porter Physiology Development Program provides one- to two-year full-time graduate fellowships in programs leading to the PhD (or D.Sc) in the physiological sciences. The program is open to underrepresented ethnic minority applicants who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its territories. Applications are due on January 15th of each year. More information about the program, including eligibility requirements, can be found at www.the-aps.org/education/minority_prog/stu_fellows/porter_phy/ov_pp.htm.
ASA-CSSA-SSSA’s Students in Agronomy, Soils, and Environmental Sciences Undergraduate Program
The Students of Agronomy, Soils, and Environmental Sciences (SASES) is the undergraduate student program of the American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), and Soil Science Society of America (SSSA). Its membership comprises chapters of student members at various colleges and universities. SASES is governed by five student officers and three faculty advisors, each representing one society. SASES sponsors seven contests and holds their annual meeting with the ASA-CSSA-SSSA annual meetings. Highlights of the annual meeting include Quiz Bowl, tours, election of officers, and professional development programs. There are currently 50 chapters with approximately 675 members. Interested students may join one, two, or all three societies for $10 annually. For more information about the societies, visit www.agronomy.org/students, www.crops.org/students, and www.soils.org/students.
Submitted by Carol Stiff from the internet
