R13 Vasculata Conference 2019

Medical College Of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI

Investigators

Abstract

SUMMARY From 2004, Vasculata conferences that fall under the auspices of the North American Vascular Biology Organization (NAVBO) have a long-standing history in assembling at academic rich venues. At the last meeting of the NAVBO Education Committee, Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) was selected unanimously as the host of the 2019 conference. This meeting has steadily grown over the years from 60 attendees in 2004 to 120 attendees in its 2017 version at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Vasculata in a nutshell is an intense ?boot camp? that introduces students and fellows to vascular (HLBS) biology. Emphasis at 2019 Vasculata MCW conference is on short seminars covering a defined curriculum, followed by workshops with topics of practical interest to the field. Contact with local faculty and fellows, including within workshops and poster sessions, followed by long-term engaging plans for participants is a critical aspect of the course. The meeting at MCW will introduce the local academic environment, especially vascular biology and hematology minded researchers, to the scientific community. Southeastern Wisconsin institutions will co-host this meeting with MCW, and have a rich history of cardiovascular and blood research. The key goal of this meeting is to train the next generation of scientists and attract underrepresented minorities to HLBS research. To facilitate this goal, we have the following objectives: 1. To facilitate exposure of underrepresented minorities and women to HLBS research. 2. To dispense basic and current knowledge in HLBS research. 3. To conduct workshops that introduces current and emerging methods in HLBS research. 4. To educate trainees regarding professional career paths in HLBS research. To facilitate these objectives, we request limited funds from NHLBI to offset some of the costs associated with hosting this conference at MCW. Accomplishing the objectives will increase representation of underrepresented minorities in HLBS research, and will train and prepare next generation to the future of HLBS research. These goals are directly aligned with the training and research mission component of NHLBI.