Thanks to support from the Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences (BES) and the Office of Biological and Environmental Research (BER), we have made available a limited number of travel awards for early career scientists to attend and present a poster during a special symposium entitled ‘Cellulose Structure and Biosynthesis’ to be held during the 253rd American Chemical Soc
iety meeting in San Francisco, CA, April 2-4, 2017.
The symposium focuses on the biological synthesis of cellulose and related polymers, and fine structure of the microfibrils that are formed. Contributions could include the components of the cytoskeleton involved in trafficking of complexes, modeling the molecular structure and interactions of cellulose synthases, and predictions of the sizes and cross-sectional orientations of microfibril structures.
This program aims to increase attendance of early career scientists at the ACS annual meeting by providing travel funds for those in financial need. Increasing diversity among the annual meeting attendees is another goal. Undergraduate students, graduate students, postdocs, and faculty beginning their careers in plant science are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents, or visa-holding visiting scientists residing in the US. Due to limited funding, travel awards are limited to registration and a hotel allowance for the three days of the symposium. Funds will be reimbursed upon presentation of receipts after the meeting.
To apply, please submit on the enclosed form a paragraph expressing how your attendance would enhance your career in bioenergy sciences, and an abstract of your research for presentation at the symposium. In addition, please submit separately a current resume or CV. For students and postdocs, your primary advisor must submit a letter of recommendation that includes the level of funds available, if any, to support your travel.
Travel award selection criteria include the scientific quality of the abstract, the impact on the applicant’s career related to bioenergy sciences, gender and ethnic diversity, and financial need. For students and postdocs, the strength of your advisor’s letter of recommendation is an additional criterion.
Please send your application Dr. Nicholas Carpita, carpita@purdue.edu. Applications and recommendation letter must be received by February 17, 2017.