American Society for Rickettsiology Conference 2009

简介（由申请人提供）：美国立克次体学会（ASR）是一个由来自美国和世界其他地区的科学家组成的科学组织，他们从事立克次体和立克次体疾病以及更遥远但重要的病原体，如伯纳氏柯谢氏体（Q热病原体）和巴尔通体的研究。立克次体是一组细菌，其中包括许多致病性生物，可引起人类和许多脊椎动物的严重感染，其中一些被列为潜在的生物恐怖制剂。ASR的主要任务是促进立克次体学和立克次体疾病各方面的基础和应用研究。此外，该协会通过定期会议和其他可能适当的方法，促进从事立克次体和立克次体疾病研究的科学家之间的信息交流，并鼓励招募和培训青年科学家，包括妇女、少数民族和残疾研究人员。ASR的任务还包括促进美国佝偻病学家与其他国家同行之间的科学交流，并根据需要和需要与其他科学组织进行交流。第23届ASR会议将于2009年8月15日至18日在南卡罗来纳州希尔顿黑德岛皇冠假日酒店举行。这次会议将有助于实现ASR的目标。为支持召开本次会议，特备R13提案。具体来说，该提案寻求通过提供旅费资助来鼓励年轻科学家参加会议。初级科学家包括从事立克次体和立克次体疾病研究的研究生、博士后助理和早期教职员工。还寻求资金鼓励妇女、少数民族和残疾科学家参与并积极参与ASR会议。此外，还寻求支持，促进关于潜在生物恐怖主义威胁的新出现的立克次体疾病的科学交流，并协助安排特邀发言者概述世界各地立克次体领域的新发展。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The American Society for Rickettsiology (ASR) is a scientific organization consisting of scientists from the USA and other parts of the world, who are engaged in research on rickettsiae and rickettsial diseases as well as the more distantly related, but important pathogens, such as Coxiella burnetii (the Q fever agent) and Bartonella species. Rickettsiae are a group of bacteria which include many pathogenic organisms causing severe infections in people and many vertebrates, and some of them are listed as potential bioterrorism agents. The primary mission of the ASR is to promote basic and applied research in all aspects of rickettsiology and rickettsial diseases. In addition, the society fosters exchange of information among scientists engaged in research on rickettsiae and rickettsial diseases through periodic meetings and other methods as may be appropriate, and encourages the recruitment and training of young scientists, including women, minority and disabled researchers. The ASR mission also includes fostering scientific exchange between American rickettsiologists and their counterparts in other countries and with other scientific organizations as required and desirable. The 23rd meeting of the ASR will be held at Crowne Plaza Resort, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, from August 15-18, 2009. The meeting will aid in fulfilling the goals of the ASR. This R13 proposal is prepared in support of conducting this meeting. Specifically, the proposal seeks support to encourage junior scientists to attend the conference by providing travel grants. Junior scientists include graduate students, post-doctoral associates and early-stage faculty members who are engaged in research in rickettsia and rickettsial diseases. Funds also are sought to encourage women, minorities and disabled scientists to engage and actively participate in the ASR conference. Further, support is sought to foster scientific exchange on emerging rickettsial diseases that are a potential bioterrorism threat and to aid in arranging invited speakers to provide an overview of new developments in the rickettsial field from all parts of the world.