Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Tech Week: Feb 1-7

International Laboratory Animal Technician Week is scheduled for February 1–7, 2009. This is an ideal opportunity to offer special recognition to those hardworking individuals at your institution. This year’s theme is “Technicians Are the Key to Success.”

The Committee on Technician Awareness and Development has chosen the following items of recognition, which can be purchased through the AALAS bookstore. Please note that as of December 1, 2008, a minimum shipping charge applies to all orders, including free items.

Monday, January 5, 2009

2009 National Meeting Submission Site Open

On behalf of program chair Dr. Stuart Leland and AALAS president Dr. Scott Perkins, the 2009 National Meeting Program Committee would like to encourage you to submit proposals for abstracts, seminars, special topic lectures, panel discussions, technical trade presentations, and workshops for the 2009 meeting in Denver.

Submissions will again be handled online starting today, January 5. Those of you who submitted topics or abstracts in the past year received today a system email with your password and username. New users must create an account.

Diabetes research is this year's special theme forum. As such, those of you with backgrounds and expertise in diabetes research or the clinical care of animal models in diabetes research are especially encouraged to submit.

Read the call for abstracts for complete requirements for submitting abstracts and proposing educational session topics. The deadline for topic submissions is March 15, 2009, while the deadline for abstract (posters and platforms) submissions is June 1.

Topic submissions should be designed specifically for one of the following formats: 2-hour, 45-minute seminar, 1.5-hour panel discussion, 1-hour special topic lecture, 4-hour workshop, or 20-minute technical trade presentation. If you choose to submit a topic, please note that you must include the title, brief description, and names and contact information for any suggested panelists, speakers, or leader. Once the submission undergoes review and acceptance, any substitution or addition of speakers must be approved by the Program Committee.

Abstract submissions will be considered for either a platform or poster presentation format. Platform presentations are typically 10-15 minutes in length and are grouped together by general category. If you choose to submit an abstract, please follow the guidelines and provide complete information. This will greatly assist the Program Committee in their review process and enable the correct assignment of your abstract to the appropriate program session.