16th International Congress on Nitrogen Fixation in Big Sky, Montana

第16届国际固氮大会将于2009年6月14日至19日在蒙大拿州的Big Sky举行。本次会议吸引了来自世界各地的400多名与会者分享研究成果，建立合作，并为固氮主题的许多跨学科项目带来协同和综合。鉴于世界人口增长对世界农业和人类营养的挑战，固氮仍然是一个非常重要的话题。虽然在这一领域取得了很大进展，但仍有许多东西有待学习，而且仍有非常困难的工作。该计划包括知名的主题演讲，全体会议，以及更集中的主题会议，以及海报会议，同时提供充足的时间进行一对一的互动。这次会议的主题已经发展了多年，从非常基础的研究到应用生物技术，包括分子生物学，生态学和应用生产方法的前沿部分。基金要求部分支持年轻研究人员（研究生，博士后或初级教师）的出席。更广泛的影响该会议历来包括年轻科学家和女性。组委会正在做出特别努力，鼓励那些服务于大量代表性不足的学生的机构的同事参加，与这些学生建立联系。这次会议为年轻的研究科学家提供了一个与不同国际科学家互动的机会，是为全球研究努力培训美国劳动力的重要组成部分。这将促进与国际集团建立网络和合作关系。加强生物固定氮的使用和管理将产生重要的环境、人道主义和经济效益。

The 16th International Congress on Nitrogen Fixation will take place June 14-19th, 2009, in Big Sky, Montana. This meeting attracts over 400 participants from around the world to share research, establish collaborations and bring synergy and synthesis to the many interdisciplinary projects on the topic of nitrogen fixation. Nitrogen fixation remains a very significant topic given the challenges of world population growth with respect to world agriculture and human nutrition. While much progress has been made in the field, much is still to be learned and very difficult work remains. The program includes well known keynote speakers, plenary sessions as well as more focused concurrent topic sessions, as well as poster sessions while providing ample time for one on one interaction. The subject matter of this conference has evolved over the years, ranging from very basic research to applied biotechnology and includes cutting edge sections on molecular biology, ecology, and applied production methods. Funds are requested to partially support attendance of young researchers (graduate students, postdocs, or junior faculty). Broader ImpactsThe conference has a history of being inclusive of young scientists as well as women. The Organizing Committee is making a special effort to encourage the attendance of colleagues at institutions that serve significant populations of underrepresented students to establish contacts with these students. This conference provides an opportunity for young research scientists to interact with diverse international scientists is an important component of training the US workforce for a global research endeavor. This will facilitate networking and establishing collaborative ties with international groups. Enhancing the use and management of biologically fixed nitrogen will result in important environmental, humanitarian, and economic benefits.