2014 Teratology Society Annual Meeting - Student/New and Early Stage Investigator

简介（由申请人提供）：畸胎学学会成立于1960年，旨在促进有关先天性（出生）缺陷的原因和预防的信息交流。虽然在了解和预防出生缺陷方面取得了很大进展，但出生缺陷仍然是一个主要的公共卫生问题，也是美国婴儿死亡的主要原因。最初，出生缺陷被认为是结构异常。我们现在知道，出生缺陷包括所有方面的功能缺陷/缺陷。此外，我们认识到更广泛的发育介导的疾病可能受到多种因素的影响，这些因素不仅包括药物和化学物质，还包括饮食、遗传和社会经济因素。该协会拥有来自政府、学术和工业部门的临床医生、科学家和科学政策监管机构的多元化成员，是应对这些挑战的唯一合适人选。2014年，该协会将在华盛顿贝尔维尤的凯悦酒店（Hyatt Regency Bellevue）举行第54届年会。会议的主题是推动出生缺陷研究的界限。专题讨论会的主题范围从分子机制和环境相关影响到临床方法，包括表观遗传学、出生缺陷的早期（子宫内）诊断、国家儿童研究的最新进展、睾丸发育不良综合征、“与项目官员会面”资助研讨会和妊娠期间血栓形成。学会理解鼓励和指导学生和新/早期研究者（学员）的重要性。教育和培训是协会战略目标的关键要素，因此包括鼓励学员参与的活动和会议。有一个平台会议，包括从学员提交的摘要中竞争性地选出的演讲，并由该协会的前任主席评判。最优秀的两位主持人将获得一个奖项。其余的学员摘要包括在整个会议的口头和海报环节。奖项颁发给研究生和博士后的最佳海报。将举行关于出生缺陷研究的职业发展的特别讲习班，分为两部分；它是为学生/学员开发的，将包括关于有效写作、发表论文和导师/学员关系的讲座。此外，还有一个职业之夜活动，旨在促进学员和科学家之间的联系。还鼓励学员担任协会大多数委员会的临时成员，从而加深他们在协会内的参与。本申请的具体目的是为参加2014年年会的学生和新/早期研究人员申请旅行奖，并部分支持主要非会员演讲者的旅行费用。学会相信，受训者既是学会的未来，也是科学家群体所推动的科学事业的未来。旅行奖励有助于抵消可能阻止学员参加的经济负担。申请还要求资金部分支付受邀的非会员演讲者的旅费，这些演讲者在向协会会员和学员介绍新想法/技术方面发挥了重要作用。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The Teratology Society was founded in 1960 to foster the exchange of information relating to the causes and prevention of congenital (birth) defects. While much progress in understanding and preventing birth defects has been made, birth defects still remain a major public health concern and are the leading cause of infant mortality in the US. Initially, birth defects were considered structural abnormalities. We now understand that birth defects include all aspects of functional defects/deficiencies as well. Furthermore, we recognize a wider range of developmentally-mediated disorders which can be affected by a multitude of factors which include not only drugs and chemicals, but also diet, genetics and socioeconomic factors. The Society's diverse membership of clinicians, scientists and science policy regulators from governmental, academic, and industrial sectors, is uniquely suited to address these challenges. In 2014, the Society will hold its 54th Annual Meeting at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue in Bellevue, Washington. The theme for the meeting is Pushing the Boundaries of Birth Defects Research. Symposia topics range from molecular mechanisms and environmentally-related effects to clinical methods, including epigenetics, early (in utero) diagnosis of birth defects, National Children's Study update, testicular dysgenesis syndrome, a "meet the project officers" grant workshop, and thrombosis during pregnancy. The Society understands the importance of encouraging and mentoring students and new/early stage investigators (trainees). Education and training are key elements of the Society's strategic goals so events and sessions are included that encourage trainee participation. There is a platform session comprised of talks competitively selected from trainee-submitted abstracts and judged by past Presidents of the Society. The two top presenters receive an award. The remaining trainee abstracts are included in oral and poster sessions throughout the meeting. Awards are presented for best poster for graduate students and postdocs. A special two-part workshop will be held on Career Development in Birth Defects Research; which was developed for students/trainees and will include talks on effective writing, publishing a paper, and mentor/mentee relationships. In addition, there is a career night event that is designed to promote networking between trainees and scientists. The trainees are also encouraged to serve as ad hoc members on the majority of the Society's committees, thereby deepening their involvement within the Society. The specific aims of this application are to request funds for Travel Awards to students and new/early stage investigators to attend the 2014 Annual Meeting and partially support travel expenses for key nonmember speakers. The Society believes that its trainees are the future of both the Society and the scientific endeavors fostered by its community of scientists. Travel awards help offset the financial burden that might otherwise prevent trainees from attending. The application also requests funds to partially defray travel costs for invited nonmember speakers important in bringing new ideas/technologies to Society members and trainees.