2015 Meeting Organizers:

Greg Beitel
Michael Eisen
Marc Freeman
Ilaria Rebay
 

Program Information

Abstract Search and Program Planner

Program Book

Schedule of Events

Full Abstracts

Program Book

The entire contents of the Program Book and the text of all abstracts, will be available online by January 30, 2015.   This includes the popular abstract search and program planner.

All registrants receive one complimentary copy of the Program Book, with full schedule information including platform and poster session date, time, title, authors, etc. as well as the keyword, speaker/author and Flybase Genetic indexes. Full abstract text will only be available online and will not be printed in the Program Book.  You are encouraged to print full abstracts for those sessions of interest before leaving home.

Abstract Search and Program Planner

Available by January 30, 2015

The Conference Abstract Search and Program Planner enables the user to search (by keyword, author and abstract title), view and print all abstracts. The program will also permit the user to select abstracts of interest to create a day-by-day, session-by-session personal conference itinerary. Please direct any questions about this program to wzhou@genetics-gsa.org. Please note that late abstracts will NOT be available through the online search.

Author Presentation Notification

On and after December 18, 2014, the highlighted letters below provide access to alphabetical lists of the authors whose abstracts have been accepted for the 56th Annual Drosophila Research Conference. Please click on the first letter of the presenting author's last name (surname) to view the assignment for either a platform or poster presentation. It is not possible to view abstract assignments using co-author names. 

• Detailed preparation instructions for plenary/platform presentations: Click here

• Detailed preparation instructions for poster presentations: Click here

To view abstract program assignments, please click on the first letter of the first (presenting) author's last name (surname):

Plenary Speakers

We are delighted to announce that the following individuals will be giving plenary talks at the Conference:

Larry Sandler Memorial Lecture

Deadline for Submission December 1, 2014

The Larry Sandler Memorial Lecture was established in recognition of Dr. Larry Sandler's many contributions to Drosophila genetics and his dedication to the training of Drosophila biologists. The recipient of the Larry Sandler Award for the most outstanding Ph.D. dissertation submitted this year will lecture on the evening of March 26. For information on submitting nominations for this award, see the Call for Nominations. The Larry Sandler Award winner also receives a complimentary conference registration as well as free accommodations, airfare and a lifetime membership in GSA.  PIs are encouraged to submit their student’s work for consideration.  The deadline for submissions is December 1, 2014.

Platform Sessions
 

The program committee will select a subset of abstracts for platform presentations, basing their selections on several criteria, including research area, scientific impact and laboratory representation. Authors of abstracts should indicate their preference for either a platform or a poster presentation by marking the appropriate field on the on-line abstract submission form. Note, however, that the program committee will determine the final designation of platform or poster presentations.

Because platform presentation requests far exceed available presentation slots (only 10-15% of all abstracts received can be accommodated in platform sessions), all authors should be prepared to present a poster if their abstract is not selected for a platform presentation.  This poster must be displayed in the poster area from 11:00 PM on March 4 through 10:00 PM on March 7.

Each platform presentation will be limited to a 12 minute presentation, with an additional 3 minutes for questions and discussion.

To fairly accommodate the large number of requests for platform presentations, authors presenting a talk in a platform session may not present the same work in a workshop. Any author offered positions in both forums is expected to decline or withdraw from one.  Photography is not allowed where posters are displayed.  Anyone taking photographs will be asked to leave the hall.

Poster Sessions

The majority of the submitted abstracts will be scheduled as posters. Poster presenters will be required to attend their posters for multiple sessions. All abstract authors who are not selected for a platform session MUST display a poster in the Exhibit Hall.  Those presenting in a workshop must still display a poster in their designated spot in the Exhibit Hall.  A note directing people to the workshop will not be accepted.  The poster area will be open 24 hours a day beginning at 5:00 pm, March 4 until Saturday evening, March 7 at 10:00 pm in the Exhibit Hall. Posters may be mounted on boards beginning at 5:00 pm on March 4 and all must be in place by 11:00 pm.  Posters must be removed by 10:00 pm on Saturday, March 7.  Posters that are larger than 3’8” tall by 2’10” wide will be removed.  Please note that the posters should be in a vertical layout.  While security is monitoring access to the Hall, GSA cannot be responsible for items left in the hall including but not limited to poster tubes, purses, backpacks, etc.  Please keep personal items with you at all times.  Photography is not allowed where posters are displayed.  Anyone taking photographs will be asked to leave the hall.

Authors of posters that either do not present their poster and/or do not display their poster will be excluded from future submission opportunities.  Posters may not be displayed for abstracts that have not been submitted and approved.

Poster Awards

Nine awards will be given for the best poster designs.  First ($500), second ($300) and third ($200) place prizes will be given to the students (both undergrad and grad) and postdocs judged to have the best posters.  Both scientific merit and clarity of presentation will be taken into account. To be eligible, your poster must be displayed from 11:00 PM on March 4 through 10:00 PM on March 7, 2015. This competition is only open to students and postdocs.  PI's are not eligible.  Awards will be presented at the Plenary Session on Sunday morning.

Workshops

Workshop Listing with Speakers (where available)

Rooms and times have been reserved for the presentation of workshops on Friday afternoon and Saturday evening. Individuals interested in organizing a workshop should review the selection criteria and complete the Workshop Application.  To be considered for a workshop, applications must be received by November 5, 2014.  Strict adherence to workshop time allotment will be required.

Authors presenting a talk in a workshop may not present the same work in a platform session.  Those authors whose abstracts are selected as poster presenters MUST display their poster for the length of the conference in the poster area and MUST present that poster during scheduled times.  If the poster will be needed for the workshop, a duplicate poster will be necessary.  Authors of posters that either do not present their poster and/or do not display their poster will be excluded from future submission opportunities. 

Audio-Visual Equipment

Standard equipment provided without request in each plenary, workshop and platform session room includes an LCD data projector, screen, lectern, pointer and microphone.

With the exception of workshop speakers, all speakers (plenary, platform, award, etc.) must upload their presentation at least one day in advance of their session.  Presentations can be uploaded in advance via the Internet.  There will also be a speaker ready room onsite with technicians standing by.  Because of the tight timing of over 200 presentations, it is critical that you come by and test your presentation and the equipment in the speaker ready room one day before your presentation.  This will insure a flawless presentation from the podium.  All speakers will be sent details and reminders via e-mail.  Loading your presentation in the meeting room will not be an option.  However, speakers are required to be in the meeting room at least one hour in advance of the beginning of the session to become familiar with the equipment.

Each platform presenter will be given 12 minutes for presentation and an additional 3 minutes for questions and discussion.
 

Workshop speakers should coordinate with the workshop organizer(s) for instructions on their presentation.  

Optional Events

How To Get Published Breakfast

Thursday, March 5
7:15-8:30 am
Hear the ins-and-outs of getting your articles published, featuring editors from the journals GENETICS and G3:Genes|Genomes|Genetics. Limited attendance.

 

GSA Careers Luncheon

Thursday, March 5

12:45-2:00 pm

The GSA Careers Luncheon is an excellent opportunity for undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows to have informal conversations with senior career scientists regarding the unique challenges and rewards of a scientific career. The luncheon is organized by topic table. Topics may include things like: transition to independence, work-family balance, teaching at undergraduate institutions, non-academic careers for scientists, the when, how, and why of networking, dealing with difficult colleagues, etc.

 

The senior career scientists include invited speakers at the conference, GSA volunteer leaders, the GSA Executive Director, and others. Advance registration required.

Fee:  $15. Limited Attendance.

 

Advocacy Lunch

Friday, March 6
12:30-2:00 pm
GSA's Executive Director, Adam Fagen, PhD will discuss the latest policy and legislative news affecting funding for NIH, describe why it is important for scientists to speak out about issues that affect their grants and research, and share tips for engaging in advocacy. Sign up online with registration. Fee $20. Limited attendance.