Upper Midwest Summit for Reproductive Science

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PROJECT SUMMARY Reproductive health underpins overall health and thus research in reproductive science and medicine is essential. This requires a steady pipeline of trained scientists and clinicians, which can be challenging given the relatively small size of the field. Professional opportunities outside the laboratory and classroom are essential to providing our trainees with important scientific, leadership, and career development experiences. Since 2008, Northwestern and other institutions in Illinois, including the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (UIUC), have hosted a biannual meeting on a rotating basis entitled the Illinois Symposium for Reproductive Science (ISRS). Given the strengths of our collective focus on reproductive science, our extensive trainee community, as well as our established institutional infrastructures, our goal is to now expand this event to include five states and 16 institutions across the Upper Midwest region. This application seeks funds to support the Upper Midwest Summit for Reproductive Science. This conference will be hosted by Northwestern and the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign in alternate years. A hallmark of this event is that it is largely organized and coordinated by trainees, providing valuable leadership and professional development experience. The trainee planning committee will be responsible for identifying themes and speakers, hosting and chaperoning speakers, acting as session moderators, and working the registration table. The event will be held over a period of a day and a half and will consist of a variety of presentation formats. Dedicated poster sessions throughout the meeting allow participants to present their research, receive constructive feedback, and engage in constructive dialogue other attendees. Panel sessions and a career roundtable lunch will enhance the program by moving beyond the bench to discuss topics such as innovation, advocacy, and communication. There will also be an invited keynote speaker, who will be a luminary in the field, as well as an alumni speaker who will be someone who participated in the conference as a trainee and now has a successful career in our discipline. Sessions will be organized by topics and invited speakers and trainees will deliver oral presentations at this time. Throughout the conference there will be many opportunities for trainees to network with each other and the conference will be an annual opportunity for trainees to facilitate interaction among potential future lab mates, PIs, and collaborators. To further enhance the trainee experience, both institutions have committed to provide funds for trainee research awards for outstanding oral platforms and poster presentations. Priority will be given to individuals who are underrepresented in science to maximize broad participation of diverse speakers and trainees. Together we will leverage our collective institutional strengths to maintain the Upper Midwest Region as a preeminent nationwide leader in this critical research field.