-News-

Posted: Apr 26, 2016 - 02:36pm

CETI, COBRE, and INBRE participants, you are invited to attend the National IDeA Symposium of Biomedical Research Excellence (NISBRE), Conference being held to showcase and promote the objectives and scientific achievements of the IDeA Program, including Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBREs), IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBREs) and IDeA Program Infrastructure for Clinical and Translational Research (IDeA-CTRs). Your attendance—as well as the attendance of your project investigators and students—is essential to further promote and advance the agenda of the IDeA Program.

The Symposium is an opportunity to demonstrate the dedication that IDeA investigators have toward performing competitive biomedical and behavioral research, and toward increasing the investigative capabilities of their institutions. We strongly urge you and your Center’s/Network’s participants to attend and participate in this meeting.  Please note that the deadline for abstract submission is April 29^th at 5:00 pm Central time.  It is important that the work supported by the IDeA Program is showcased.

Who can attend

The meeting is open to ALL IDeA (COBRE, INBRE and CTR) participants and all other interested parties. IDeA Principal Investigators are encouraged to bring along their project investigators, postdocs, and graduate and undergraduate students. In addition, INBRE Principal Investigators and Program Coordinators should encourage faculty and students at participating institutions to attend.

What

The 6th Biennial NISBRE is being held to celebrate the success of the IDeA Program, and to showcase the scientific and training accomplishments of its participants. The program this year promises a high level of scientific presentations, enthusiastic participants, and a friendly atmosphere with open discussions and exchange of ideas on science and training.  The Director of NIGMS, Dr. Jon Lorsch, is scheduled to deliver an address at the Symposium on the morning of Monday, June 27^th.

Format  

The scientific and training agenda is similar to the program in 2014, with plenary presentations, keynote presentations in selected areas of scientific investigation, electronic poster presentations by IDeA scientists, and workshops. The workshops are designed for attendees to acquire new scientific and/or career skills. 

iPosters Rather than the traditional 2-dimensional paper poster displayed on a cork board, iPosters will offer a new and innovative element to the IDeA conferences and allow the authors to advance their presentations to a higher level. Presenters will use an interactive touchscreen display, and have the ability to include high-resolution images, charts, tables, animations, audio and videos. 

The electronic posters, which are created online, eliminate the requirement to print and carry a paper poster to the meeting. Participants of the conference can explore the presentations on large screens; view highlighted posters, sort and search by name, category, title, state, keyword and/or University.  For more information and visit: NISBRE iPosters  Check back for examples of completed iPosters.

Events for Students There will be several events focusing on students: A student-oriented electronic poster session; student podium presentation opportunities and student travel awards for meritorious abstracts (see below).

Network of IDeA Funded Core Laboratories (NICL) Program  The Symposium will feature a parallel program that focuses on the management and technical issues faced in the operation of CTR, INBRE- and COBRE-funded core facilities. NICL (Network of IDeA-Funded Core Laboratories), has programmed two workshops that will discuss best business practices in core operation, and how to show the impact of cores on CTR/INBRE/COBRE successes.

INBRE Mentoring Award The Symposium will also feature the INBRE Mentoring Award established to honor Dr. Sidney McNairy, who contributed to developing and implementing opportunities for researchers in IDeA states. Dr. McNairy values strong mentoring as an integral component of the education process that promotes biomedical research careers for new researchers. Initiated in 2008, this award recognizes individuals from INBRE programs who demonstrate excellence in mentoring. The recipient will receive the award and will give an oral presentation at the 2016 NISBRE meeting.

COBRE Independence Award The COBRE Independence Award was established to honor Dr. Thomas Maciag, an internationally recognized cell and vascular biologist. Dr. Maciag was an innovative scientist, artist, and an outstanding mentor to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in the fields of angiogenesis and development. Initiated in 2006, this award recognizes individuals who exemplify Dr. Maciag’s ideals of research excellence and commitment to mentoring, and who have established independence through a COBRE program. The recipient will receive the award and will give an oral presentation at the 2016 NISBRE meeting.

Clinical and Translational Research (CTR) Award The CTR Award is designed to acknowledge a successful mentor who has generously given of his/her time to guide and support junior clinical/translational investigators in an active CTR program.  Initiated in 2015, this award recognizes individuals who exemplify research excellence and commitment to mentoring and have facilitated the careers of junior investigators.  The recipient will receive the award and will present their personal experiences with research career development and mentoring at the 2016 NISBRE meeting.

When

June 26-28, 2016

Where

Wardman Park Marriott, Washington, DC

Registration

Go to http://www.etouches.com/nisbre

Register by April 29, to receive the early bird rate.

Click on “Registration.”

Please register by May 20.

Hotel

Go to the above Web site and click on ‘Housing and Travel” to get information about reserving a hotel room. The deadline to reserve a room at the discounted rate of $229/night plus taxes is June 6, 2016.

No limit on the number of individuals from a Center/Network

There is no limit on the number of individuals from a CTR, COBRE or INBRE that can attend this meeting. It is not unreasonable for each Center/Network to bring several individuals, in addition to the PI/PC, to this meeting.

Agenda

Go to the meeting Web site and click on “Agenda.” This meeting is a scientific rather than administrative meeting. There will be scientific sessions that highlight accomplishments in the different research areas represented among the CTR, COBRE and INBRE Centers/Networks. There will also be technical and career development workshops. In addition, electronic posters will be displayed for the entire meeting and there will be time to view them and interact with the presenters.

Presenting a Center’s/Network’s research

You must submit an abstract if you are planning to present your work. Submitting an abstract allows you to present an electronic poster. All abstracts will be reviewed and a subset will be selected on the basis of scientific merit and thematic relevance. Instructions for submitting abstracts can be found on the meeting Web site under “Abstract Submission.”

No limit on the number of abstracts/posters from a Center/Network

There is no limit on the number of abstracts that a COBRE, CTR or INBRE can submit. Junior Investigators and their students (postdoc, graduate, and undergraduate) are strongly encouraged to submit abstracts on their work.

The deadline for abstract submission is April 29 at 5:00 pm Central time.

Young Investigator Travel Award

This award is intended for Young Investigators in the COBRE Program. The symposium will award a number of travel awards to help defray the cost of attending NISBRE. Recipients will be selected based on rating and peer review of submitted abstracts. Candidates must be the first/presenting author on submitted abstracts.

Student Travel Awards

This award is intended for Students in the INBRE Program. The symposium will award a number of travel awards to help defray the cost of attending NISBRE. Recipients will be selected based on rating and peer review of submitted abstracts. Candidates must be the first/presenting author on submitted abstracts. 

Core Facility Award

This award is intended for Core Facility Personnel in the INBRE, COBRE, or CTR program. Recipients will be selected based on rating of a personal statement explaining how attendance at the NISBRE 2016 meeting will enhance your core operation and professional growth.