...when the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos
and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) informed me that
my request for a travel scholarship had been accepted.
So... my foray into major national research conferences
began upon my arrival in Kansas City, Missouri for the
annual SACNAS Conference to present my poster "Languages
and Genes: Population Dynamics of Southern Indonesia" highlighting
my linguistic and genetic analysis of one island, Sumba.
It was huge! There were hundreds of undergraduate and graduate
students from all over the country and Puerto Rico, as well
as faculty, mentors, and leaders in their fields. The conference
covered all scientific disciplines, from biology to physics
to engineering. It was a great time to connect with people
outside the UA. Because the presentations were judged for a
cash prize, I also received extremely constructive analyses
of my poster presentation (though sadly, I didn't win).
While I spent most of my networking minutes with mathematics
faculty, I was amazed at the sheer quantity of graduate programs,
fellowships, and opportunities available for students in biologically
related fields. I was approached several times by recruiters
from NIH or a medical school somewhere or a graduate lab somewhere
else. I was surprised that no other UBRPers were in attendance.
I anticipate that those serious about future study in the biological
sciences would benefit greatly from the conference.
After three intense days of presenting, listening to presentations,
networking, and professional development, I learned about the
instability of air travel. Our connecting flight from Denver
to Tucson was cancelled on our return trip, so we were stranded
in Denver until the following evening. But alas, all good things
have a price; and in our case, it was a small price to pay.
United Airlines housed us in the Denver Doubletree Hotel, complete
with two meals and (free) warm chocolate chip cookies.
All in all, I was not disappointed. The conference was an eye-opening
experience into real academic life, and it left me with the
desire to attend the 2008 conference in Salt Lake City,
Utah next year. Hopefully, more UBRPers will go!
Kevin Keys, UBRPer in Dr. Michael Hammer's laboratory, Genomic
Analysis and Technology Core (GATC)
Chicanos
and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) informed me that
my request for a travel scholarship had been accepted.
So... my foray into major national research conferences
began upon my arrival in Kansas City, Missouri for the
annual SACNAS Conference to present my poster "Languages
and Genes: Population Dynamics of Southern Indonesia" highlighting
my linguistic and genetic analysis of one island, Sumba.
It was huge! There were hundreds of undergraduate and graduate
students from all over the country and Puerto Rico, as well
as faculty, mentors, and leaders in their fields. The conference
covered all scientific disciplines, from biology to physics
to engineering. It was a great time to connect with people
outside the UA. Because the presentations were judged for a
cash prize, I also received extremely constructive analyses
of my poster presentation (though sadly, I didn't win).
After three intense days of presenting, listening to presentations,
networking, and professional development, I learned about the
instability of air travel. Our connecting flight from Denver
to Tucson was cancelled on our return trip, so we were stranded
in Denver until the following evening. But alas, all good things
have a price; and in our case, it was a small price to pay.
United Airlines housed us in the Denver Doubletree Hotel, complete
with two meals and (free) warm chocolate chip cookies.
