Environmental Mutagen Society 2012 Annual Meeting-Trainee and Speaker Support

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The Environmental Mutagen Society (EMS) is the primary scientific society fostering research on the basic mechanisms of DNA repair, mutagenesis and environmental epigenetics, and application of this knowledge to understanding human health effects from exposure to environmental toxins. Studies of DNA repair, mutagenesis and epigenetics by EMS scientists are integrated with research on inherited and acquired genetic alterations that predispose individuals to cancer, premature aging, and other diseases. Fundamental understanding of the mechanisms and consequences of cellular, tissue, whole organism, and human population responses to genotoxic agents is crucial to informed regulatory decision-making with respect to environmental health hazards. The integration of multi-disciplinary basic and applied research is essential to this process. Such integration remains the central focus of the EMS, and the annual meetings are key to the dissemination of information and fostering the necessary interactions. In addition, the meetings provide an important forum for students and new and early stage investigators to present their research and to interact with leading scientists in their field in a setting that encourages open exchange o ideas. The 43rd Annual Meeting of the EMS will be held in Bellevue, Washington from September 8-12, 2012. The theme is "EMS: The Next Generation" referring to emerging next generation scientific areas and technologies in our field as well as enticing students and young investigators to become the next generation of EMS members. The scientific program encompasses the full range of scientific interests within EMS and is comprised of symposia, workshops, plenary lectures, and poster and platform sessions. EMS Annual Meetings bring together academic, industrial and governmental scientists interested in how environmental factors lead to genotoxic and epigenetic outcomes. The dual objectives of this conference grant application are to request funds for Travel Awards for students and new and early stage investigators to attend the Annual Meeting and partial support for travel expenses of keynote and symposia speakers. Travel Awards assist in offsetting the financial burden that might otherwise prevent students and new investigators from attending. Support to defray travel costs for invited non-member speakers enables EMS to provide the greatest value at lower costs to attendees. The inclusion of non-member speakers provides the cross fertilization of research and ideas which is necessary for a world-class meeting. EMS member speakers cover their expenses for participation in the conference, thus expenses for their participation are not requested in this application. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: EMS is a multifaceted Society whose members have expertise in multiple disciplines covering all aspects of basic and applied research on mechanisms and consequences of responses to genotoxic agents. Integration of these disciplines remains the central focus of the EMS, and the Annual Meetings are keys to the dissemination of information and to foster interactions between researchers and individuals who must make informed regulatory decisions with respect to environmental health hazards. The meetings also provide a forum in which students, postdoctoral fellows, and early career investigators can share information with established scientists through formal scientific sessions and informal interactions.