Late-Breaking Abstracts, Supporters, Airport Shuttle Service, LAC Posts, Schedule Update

Late-Breaking Abstracts

Starting tomorrow, 15 April 2014, the SSR Program Committee welcomes late-breaking abstracts for poster presentation at SSR 2014. These abstracts are not eligible for awards. Submission closes at midnight (EST), 15 May 2014.

Annual Meeting Supporters

We've already received a number of generous contributions to help support the 2014 Annual Meeting. Please help us thank these contributors, who are identified on the SSR 2014 Supporters page and will be recognized in the Meeting Program, on signage and slides at the meeting venue, at the Opening Ceremony, and at supported events.

If you would like to contribute to the SSR Annual Meeting, please visit Exhibits, Support, and Sponsorship for more information.

Airport Shuttle Service

If you're planning to fly in to Grand Rapids, coach shuttle service for SSR Meeting attendees will be available every hour, on the hour, between the Gerald R. Ford International Airport and the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. Please see our Travel page for schedules.

New LAC Posts

SSR's Michigan-based Members have added two more entries to their ongoing blog, Enjoying West Michigan.

"Michigan Fly Fishing": As a companion to the fishing blog by the Risingers and Sue Ferguson, Dr. Gary Smith and Mike "Schultzy" Schultz (owner of Schultz Outfitters) provide the low-down on fishing on the fly. Tips include the best places to catch your fish of choice, the truth behind the Michigan Monster Mayflies (3M), and even the best rod/reel/line combo for top-water smallmouth fishing. Schultzy's recommendation for a family-friendly fishing and vacation destination, Traverse City, leads into the next post in the series (below).

"A Wine and Food Tour of Northern Michigan": If you enjoy farm-to-table dining, vineyard tours, and beautiful sights, Dr. Kristin Parkin strongly recommends a trip to the Grand Traverse area. Based on her own 30+ years of traveling in the area, Dr. Parkin has put together a two-day wine and food tour of northern Michigan that's sure to delight. If you're lucky, you might even run into acclaimed chef Mario Batali, who spends his summers in the area.

Schedule Update

The names of all module chairs have been added to the preliminary schedule. Please note that this schedule is subject to change; the date of a particular module session may shift.

Burroughs Wellcome, New LAC Post, T-Shirt Design, Schedule Update

Burroughs Wellcome Travel Fellowships

Applications are now available for 2014 Burroughs Wellcome Travel Fellowships for underrepresented minority trainees and junior faculty from the U.S. or Canada. Please visit the Travel Fellowships page for eligibility details and to download an application. The deadline is 10 May 2014.

New LAC Post

If you have even the slightest interest in fishing, you'll love "West Michigan Fishing Paradise," the new LAC post by Michigan State University's Sue Ferguson and John Risinger. They and their fishing companions are on shore (or on the ice) year-round, and they're sharing their stockpile of tips, tricks, and trophy photos so that you, too, can get a taste of the action.

T-Shirt Design

Back

Front

T-shirts with the SSR 2014 logo will be available for $15 each in both female and unisex adult styles (small to XXL). Proceeds of T-shirt sales support the Larry Ewing Memorial Trainee Travel Fund (LEMTTF). T-shirts should be purchased during pre-registration; a limited supply will be available for purchase at the Meeting.

Schedule Update

Speakers and/or titles have been provided for the following events:

Diversity Lunch Symposium.

• Invited Talk. José F. Cordero, M.D. (University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico). "Risk Factors for Preterm Births in Puerto Rico: From Health Disparities to Endocrine Disruptors."

Meeting Registration, Special Events, Late-Breaking Abstracts, Call for Volunteers

Meeting Registration

Registration for SSR 2014 is now open! For discounted rates, submit your meeting registration form by 31 May 2014. Pre-registration closes after 20 June 2014.

Special Events and Optional Items

2014 Fun Run Flyer

In addition to the scientific program, a variety of educational special events and items will be available to Meeting participants.

• Opening Reception
• Fun Run 2014
• Diversity Committee Lunch Symposium
• Trainee–Mentor Luncheon
• Microbrewery Tour*
• Heritage Luncheon
• Barbecue & Dance
• T-Shirt Sale

*A meeting in Beer City USA wouldn't be complete without a microbrewery tour! Sign up to tour the facilities and meet the brewers at Perrin Brewing Company, The Mitten Brewing Company, and Founder's Brewing Company. Both standard and premium tickets are available; please see the Microbrewery Tour flyer for complete information.

Late-Breaking Abstracts

Do you have great new data that's just begging to be presented? If so, then you're in luck! SSR will be accepting late-breaking abstracts between 15 April and 15 May 2014. Check back later for more information.

Call for Volunteers

2014 Call for Volunteers

Trainee Volunteer Subcommittee Co-chairs Drs. Jane Fenelon and Niraj Joshi strongly urge you to become an Annual Meeting volunteer. Please see the 2014 Call for Volunteers flyer for complete information.

Testimonials

"It was the first time I participated in SSR and being a volunteer there was a great experience that helped me get involved in the SSR community. I also learned a lot of skills that will help me in my future career."

—Atefeh Abedini, Université de Montréal

"Volunteering was a fun and rewarding experience."

—Oceane Albert, McGill University

SSR Award Recipients

Congratulations to the 2014 SSR Award recipients! We look forward to attending your Awards Ceremonies during the SSR Annual Meeting.

• Carl G. Hartman Award: William W. Thatcher, Ph.D.​
• SSR Research Award: Peter J. Hansen, Ph.D.
• SSR Distinguished Service Award: Mary B. Zelinski, Ph.D.
• SSR New Investigator Award: Kanako Hayashi, Ph.D.
• SSR Trainee Mentoring Award: Bruce D. Murphy, Ph.D.

Schedule of Events, New LAC Post, SSR Website Changes

Schedule of Events

The preliminary schedule of events is now live! Events are subject to change; all updates will be summarized on this blog.

New LAC Post

If you're a golfer, be sure to check out the new LAC post by Mark Olson (Michigan State University). He counts down the top five courses near Grand Rapids, and recommends two other golf clubs that are well worth a one- to two-hour drive.

SSR Website Changes

In the next few days, some major changes will be coming to the SSR website. When you see them, please let us know what you think!

Abstract & LEMTTF Deadline Extensions, Schedule Updates

Deadline Extensions

Due to the severity of the storm in the Eastern United States and its effect on infrastructure, deadlines for the following have been extended to the end of the day, 24:00h US Eastern Time (GMT -5:00), on Wednesday, 19 February 2014:

• SSR 2014 abstract submission
• Qualification for Trainee awards
• Larry Ewing Memorial Trainee Travel Fund (LEMTTF) applications

Schedule Updates

Speakers and/or titles have been provided for the following optional events and scientific sessions:

Diversity Lunch Symposium.

• Invited Talk. José F. Cordero, M.D. (University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico). Topic: To be announced.

Module 3: Translation of Basic Science to Real-World Practice.
Session F. Cancer.

• Invited Talk. Ronald J. Buckanovich, M.D., Ph.D. (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA). "Teaching Old and New Dogs a New Trick."

Module 4: Interrelationship of Reproduction and the Environment.
Session A. Toxicology.

• Invited Talk. Louis J. Guillette Jr., Ph.D. (Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA). "Endocrine Disrupting Contaminants and the Developing Reproductive System."

Session D. Obesity/Nutrition 1.

• Invited Talk. Kartik Shankar, Ph.D. (University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA). "Like Mother, Like Son: How Maternal Obesity Programs Offspring Obesity Risk."

Module 5: Developmental Origins of Health and Disease.
Session B. Programming Effects of ARTs on Development.

• Invited Talk. Paolo Rinaudo, M.D., Ph.D. (University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA). "Can IVF Affect Offspring's Metabolic Health? Experience from a Rodent Model."
• Invited Talk. Kevin D. Sinclair, Ph.D. (The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom). "Epigenetics and Reproductive Health: Linking Nutritional Biochemistry to Long-Term Development."

SSR Newsletter, LAC Posts, Schedule Updates

SSR Newsletter

There are meeting-related reminders and updates on almost every page of the February 2014 SSR Newsletter, so be sure to check it out!

From the LAC: Enjoying Western Michigan

The 2014 Local Arrangements Committee (LAC) wants you to get the most out of your time in Michigan. Therefore, reminiscent of last year's LAC blog, SSR's Michigan-based members are letting you in on their favorite summer activities. Avid outdoor enthusiasts Jim and Janet Ireland (Michigan State University) kick off the series with a list of their favorite lakes, campsites, and cottages.

Schedule Updates

Speakers and/or titles have been provided for the following scientific sessions:

Historical Perspectives Lecture.

• Sir Ian Wilmut, FRS, Ph.D. (University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom). "Professor Chris Polge, FRS: Pioneer, Mentor, and Friend."

Module 1: Mechanisms of Fertility/Infertility.
Session D. Uterine Receptivity/Implantation 1.

• Invited Talk. Niamh Forde, Ph.D. (University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland). "'Conceptualizing' the Endometrium: Understanding Conceptus–Uterine Interactions in Cattle."

Module 4: Interrelationship of Reproduction and the Environment.
Session A. Toxicology.

• Invited Talk. Eric Nilsson, Ph.D. (Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA). "Environmentally Induced Epigenetic Transgenerational Inheritance of Ovarian Disease."

Session E. Obesity/Nutrition 2.

• Invited Talk. Romain Lambrot, Ph.D. (McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada). "Low Paternal Dietary Folate Alters the Sperm Epigenome and Is Associated with Negative Pregnancy Outcomes."