Early Registration Deadline:  October 15, 2009
Abstract Submission Deadline:  October 24, 2009

The Fall Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, Texas Branch will be held on November 5-7, 2009. This meeting will be hosted by the Department of Biology at the University of Texas at Tyler. An itinerary and list of scientific sessions will be available on-line soon at http://web.biosci.utexas.edu/whiteley_lab/pages/texas_branch_asm.htm

This meeting will feature seminars from research and teaching faculty throughout Texas, many of whom are on admission committees for post-baccalaureate programs in the state. Dr. Stan Maloy, an expert in Salmonella virulence and genetics from San Diego State University, will be the keynote speaker. The meeting is extremely affordable for undergraduate and graduate students, and we anticipate attendance will be high, as over 150 people attended the meeting last year. This is an excellent opportunity for students to present their work, in an oral or poster format, as well as compete for several cash awards from the Texas branch.

This is also an excellent opportunity for faculty members to interact with colleagues in the state and potential graduate students. The goal is to eclipse last year’s attendance and build our annual meeting to be the largest and best branch meeting in the nation. 

Location and Accommodations:
The meeting will be held at the University Center on campus of the University of Texas at Tyler. (http://www.uttyler.edu). Hotel rooms have been reserved at the Hilton Garden inn at special rate of $139/night for the cutoff date of October 5th. Wireless internet and use of the Business Center are included in the room fee. For reservations call (903) 509-1166 or visit http://www.Hilton-Garden-Inn-Tyler.com. Please make sure to specify that you are with the Texas Branch ASM group. For those on a budget, a full service cabin with several beds has been reserved at the “Camp Tyler” on Lake Tyler shores for Friday and Saturday nights. Please contact Ali Azghani for cabin reservation. Other hotel options in Tyler are also available.

Please contact with any questions, and send filled registration and abstract forms to:

Ali Azghani, Ph.D.
Chair of Organizing Committee
ali_azghani@uttyler.edu
(903) 566-7332

Why should I come?

·     Find out new information about microbiology research

·     Meet scientists

We have an excellent program planned for this year’s Fall meeting. The program includes state-of-the-art research presentations by several scientists, student presentations, and workshops on student research, presentations, and education in addition to a full slate of fun and exciting activities. For a look at this year’s preliminary program, click the link below.

·     Career opportunities

·     Graduate school opportunities

There are usually several research groups that will be advertising summer research experience for undergraduate (REU) programs, graduate student positions (MS or PhD), and research labs possibly looking for research technicians as well. So if you are exploring your options for after college, come prepared to talk to these professors, supervisors, and company representatives. You just might figure out what you are going to do next!

·     Presentation experience & feedback

Many students find that the Fall Meeting is a great place to give their first talks or presentations on their research because it is a laid-back, warm, and welcoming environment. It is an excellent way to get experience presenting research and get feedback about your research and presentation skills. Presentations can be done in either poster or oral formats, and there are competitive awards available with cash prizes for the top presentations. Even if you have never presented at a professional meeting before, don’t be afraid to let this be your first start. You’ll be so glad that you took the opportunity to participate.

It is suggested that presenters plan a professional PowerPoint presentation for oral presentations and a professionally printed poster for poster presentations. Although many groups now use poster printers to prepare their posters, don’t despair if you don’t have access to poster printing facilities. With careful planning, a professional and thorough poster presentation can still be prepared right from your laser printer.