Achievement

The Annual Student Symposium is an IGERT funded, annual, one-day event which brings in outside scientists to discuss their research on a single topic of interest. The Symposium offers an opportunity for student leadership in that its theme, speakers, and format, are shaped entirely by the graduate students in the Bioinformatics Program. IGERT trainee Eric Franzosa has served as co-chair for the 2008-2009 Symposium to be held this June. Work has included polling students for selection of a general theme ("Bioinformatics and Human Health" was a runaway favorite among students) and polling for suggested speakers, and inviting speakers. The schedule now includes five scientists from academic and corporate institutions across the United States. The organizing committee is currently in the process of finalizing the details of the day. Among the activities will be several opportunities for "students-only" interactions with the invited speakers.