Summer Biomechanics, Bioengineering, and Biotransport Conference

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PROJECT SUMMARY This proposal seeks NIH support for the 2022-2024 Summer Biomechanics, Bioengineering, and Biotransport Conferences (SB3C). SB3C fills an important niche by providing a broad based, mid-sized meeting focused on bioengineering. The SB3C program includes plenary, oral, and poster sessions covering scientific content in Cell and Tissue Mechanics, Fluid Mechanics, Biotransport, Design and Rehabilitation, Solid Mechanics, and Education. SB3C offers interactive workshops on topics including professional development, novel educational approaches, and advanced research techniques. The primary objective of SB3C is to promote state-of-the-art research, collaboration, and scientific discourse in bioengineering. SB3C is a student-focused conference, with students comprising around 50% of attendees. Students at all levels can participate in the Student Paper Competition; network with established investigators at the Diversity Mentor-Mentee Event or the Women’s Networking Event; and enjoy social interactions with peers through activities organized by the Student Leadership Committee. SB3C awards Diversity Travel Grants to enable students from underrepresented groups in biomechanics to attend the conference and also keeps student registration fees low by seeking support from NIH, NSF, and industry and academic sponsors. The 2022 SB3C Organizing Committee is a diverse group of experienced SB3C organizers and emerging leaders in biomechanics. We will continue successful scientific and diversity programs and innovate in several ways , including: • Creating a hybrid meeting with in-person talks, posters, workshops, networking and social events as well as virtual content, including recordings of in-person plenary lectures and oral sessions as well as online posters. • Advertising the meeting and its content to faculty and students at community colleges, primarily undergraduate institutions, and historically black colleges and universities. We will organize networking sessions between these attendees and participants from the in-person conference to enhance diversity in the graduate school pipeline. The specific aim of this proposal is to support student participation in SB3C 2022-2024, with the goal of increasing the number of student attendees who come from groups traditionally underrepresented in bioengineering. We seek financial support from NIH to reduce virtual content registration fees for students who cannot attend the in-person conference. We are confident that we can create a high-quality in-person conference with high-quality virtual content, which will provide a model for future hybrid conferences.