ABRCMS 2009 Blasts Off with  Stellar Speaker Lineup    

The Annual Biomedical Research Conference  for Minority Students (ABRCMS) is a  key stepping stone for enhancing the scientific  and professional development of  young scientists. Each year, the conference  features inspiring plenaries and information-  rich concurrent scientific presentations  and professional development sessions.  The 2009 ABRCMS, scheduled for  4-7 November in Phoenix, Ariz., is no exception,  with a core lineup of speakers representing  wide-ranging experience in technology,  engineering, and medical research.    

Cynthia Breazeal presents "Robots with  Emotions." Breazeal, a pioneer in the field  of social robotics, founded and directs the  Personal Robots Group of the Massachusetts  Institute of Technology Media Lab.  Her research focuses on developing personal  robots that work with humans as partners  and learn from people. She authored the  book Designing Social Robots and has published  numerous articles on autonomous robotics,  artificial intelligence, human-robot  interaction, and robot learning.    

Robert Duke presents "Teaching Strategies:  Why Students Don't Learn What We  Think We Teach." A former studio musician,  Duke founded the National Forum  on Research in Motor Learning and Music,  a research collaborative devoted to the  study of motor skill development and procedural  memory consolidation. He is a  professor and director of the Center for  Music Learning at the University of Texas,  Austin. Duke has authored several books  and frequently lectures on human learning,  systematic observations and evaluation,  and behavior management.    

Tyrone Hayes presents "From Silent  Spring to Silent Night: What Have We  Learned." Hayes is a herpetologist the  University of California, Berkeley. He and  his research team discovered that atrazine,  an herbicide used widely on corn crops  around the world, turns testosterone into  estrogen in reed frogs. Hayes will discuss  how changes in coloration of the extremely  thin, sensitive skin of the frogs can  warn us when dangerous, even cancer causing,  chemicals are present in a water  source.    

Mae Jemison presents "Find Where the  Wind Goes." Jemison an engineer, scientist,  physician, teacher, and astronaut, was  working as a general practitioner when  NASA selected her for astronaut training. In  September 1992, as a science mission specialist  aboard the Shuttle Endeavour, she  became the first African-American woman  to enter space. Jemison's post-NASA  projects have focused on improving healthcare  in Africa and advancing technology in  developing countries.    

ABRCMS is designed to encourage undergraduate, post baccalaureate, and graduate  students to pursue advanced training  in the biomedical and behavioral sciences,  including mathematics, and to provide  faculty mentors and advisors with resources  for facilitating student success.  With this in mind, Crystal Watkins, M.D.,  Ph.D.; Erika Camacho, Ph.D.; and Eihab  Jaber, Ph.D., will give ABRCMS participants  advice about their graduate school  experiences and career paths in the conference  opening address.    

Register now for what promises to be a  most enlightening student conference.  ABRCMS is sponsored by the National  Institute of General Medical Sciences, Division  of Minority Opportunities in Research  Program, and managed by ASM.  To view the full conference program, visit  http://www.abrcms.org/index.html.