Thank you for attending Plant Biology 2018! To help you get the most out of this meeting, we’ve compiled a daily guide to activities, with links to the major symposia, workshops, etc. When in doubt, you can also check the schedule and the conference app, or stop by Registration and ask one of our friendly volunteers. There’s even more information on the Plant Biology 2018 network on Plantae, including a bit of tourist information in the “Sights and Sounds of Montreal” post. Also, please check out our code of conduct and social media policy— and hashtag #plantbio18 if you are using Twitter.
We’ve got all the great science and networking activities you expect, plus a few activities that are new or expanded this year:
- Conversation Circles at the ASPB booth 20-minute conversations about various ASPB programs and activities, at the ASPB Booth (booth 1413) in the exhibit hall. Conversations start tomorrow!
- Roundtable discussions at the Plantae Pavilion Discussions start tomorrow at the Plantae Pavilion!
- More ways to boost your career Lots of resources and opportunities throughout the meeting, including career mentoring (sign up at the Plantae Pavilion).
On Saturday morning, kick off Plant Biology 2018 with your choice of workshop:
- Using human-centered storytelling to communicate science in Forest for the Trees: Science Communication with Deep Roots (8:30 AM–12 PM)
- Primarily Undergraduate Institution (PUI) Faculty Development Workshop (8:30 AM–12 PM, preregistration required)
- Finding and fixing genome annotation errors with MaizeCODE (9 AM–12 PM, preregistration required).
- Plant Science Training in 2035 (10 AM–12 PM, preregistration required)
After lunch, you can head over to Major Symposium I: “Translational Science” from 1–3:30 PM, featuring talks on bridging the gap between basic and applied research. Following a coffee break, the Awards Symposium (3:55–6:00 PM) will feature talks by Blake Meyers, Marcus Samuel, Julia Bailey-Serres, and Machi Dilworth.
To round off your day, come to the Opening Reception (6–7:30 PM) in the reception hall. Also, join the #plantbio18 #tweetup @ 6:30 PM in the Plantae Pavilion to meet up with fellow twitter users you may only know by their hashtag! Learn more about using social media at #plantbio18. There will be prizes.
Throughout the conference, you can hone your #scicomm skills and share knowledge by participating in these daily activities:
- Pitch Your Science: Share who you are and your research story with the world in 90 seconds by recording your elevator pitch and uploading it to YouTube with the hashtag #plantbio18. Winners are selected Tuesday afternoon in the Plantae Pavilion. Learn more.
- Draw Your Science: Represent your science through art. Using your imagination, draw anything that represents what you do, how you do it, and/or why you do it. No artistic skills needed. 8 AM–5 PM, Saturday–Tuesday at the Membership Desk.
- Question of the Day: Swing by the membership desk from 8 AM–8 PM, Saturday–Tuesday and post your wisdom on the Question of the Day board, as well as peruse other responses. Be it serious or sassy, share your knowledge!
- Look out for the resident Scientist on the Street, volunteer Rishi Masalia, who will be conducting interviews throughout the meeting, at poster sessions and during other events. Rishi will be meandering through the Palais de Congress de Montreal Saturday–Tuesday.
Also, be sure to take advantage of the Career Mentoring Services at the Plantae Pavilion, available throughout the conference. Sign up to receive individual career advice and get your CV/resume reviewed by plant science professionals.
