Meeting: 16th International Congress on Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions, Rhodes Greece, July 6-10, 2014

该项目的目标是为15名有前途的年轻美国科学家提供旅行支持，以参加将于2014年7月6日至10日在希腊罗兹举行的第16届植物-微生物相互作用国际大会（IC-MPMI）。 本次会议是宣布和讨论最具创新性的科学发现的首要论坛，这些发现阐明了植物和微生物相互作用的分子事件。 该计划将包括建立和年轻的科学家工作的病原体和共生协会使用不同的生物系统。 全体会议和同期会议将突出基础研究的最新进展以及对农业科学进步至关重要的转化研究。 IC-MPMI的一个主要目标是提供一个互动平台，以分享新兴数据，建立和加强合作，并开发创新战略和技术，以改善植物健康，生产力和安全性。 这些活动需要国际科学界的充分参与，最主要的是美国学生（即研究生和博士后学者）。 旅行奖学金获得者将参加小型研讨会和午餐与既定的国际科学家，以促进学生的参与和批判性的讨论。 获奖者将通过社交网络发布会议要点和发表大会报告，为传播研究结果做出贡献。 IC-MPMI更广泛的影响是将原本不会交叉的专家团结起来。会议为美国年轻科学家提供了重要的培训价值，包括在国际层面上加强学习，建立网络和职业发展。 组织者通过确定美国机构的顶尖候选人并征求他们对会议旅行奖学金的申请，促进了少数民族、妇女和第一代学生的更广泛参与。 重要的是，美国年轻科学家在植物-微生物相互作用方面的高级专业发展是确保美国高质量作物持续生产的基础，并满足全球对粮食和能源日益增长的需求。

The objective of this project is to secure travel support for 15 promising, young U.S. scientists to attend the 16th International Congress on Plant-Microbe Interactions (IC-MPMI), which will convene in Rhodes, Greece from July 6-10, 2014. This meeting is the premier forum for announcing and discussing the most innovative scientific discoveries elucidating the molecular events by which plants and microbe interact. The program will include established and young scientists working on pathogenic and symbiotic associations using diverse biological systems. Plenary and concurrent sessions will highlight the latest advances in fundamental research as well as translational studies critical for advancements in agricultural science. A major goal of the IC-MPMI is to provide an interactive platform to share emerging data, establish and strengthen collaborations, and develop innovative strategies and technology to improve plant health, productivity, and security. These activities require full participation from the international scientific community, most notably U.S. students in training (i.e. graduate students and post-doctoral scholars). Travel fellowship awardees will participate in small workshops and lunches with established international scientists to promote student participation and critical discussion. Awardees will contribute to the dissemination of findings by releasing meeting highlights via social networking and publishing a congress report. The broader impact of the IC-MPMI is to unite specialists who otherwise would not cross paths. The meeting provides significant training value for young U.S. scientists, including enhanced learning, networking, and career development at the international level. The organizers have promoted broader participation of minorities, women, and first-generation students by identifying top candidates at U.S. institutions and soliciting their applications for the meeting travel fellowships. Importantly, advanced professional development of young U.S. scientists in plant-microbe interactions is fundamental to ensure sustained production of high-quality crops in the U.S., and to meet the increasing demands for food and energy worldwide.