Reunion meeting for all classes & TA’s—please plan on joining us!

Thursday, June 11 - Saturday, June 13, 2009_
Woods Hole, Massachusetts

Registration Deadline: April 6, 2009

All FIR course alumni and former Teaching Assistants are invited to return to Woods Hole this June for our annual reunion symposium weekend. We are proud to claim among our ranks more than 170 leading young researchers and practitioners from all over the globe. Our symposium provides you world-class networking opportunities with former classmates, FIR faculty members, distinguished guest investigators, and with “FIRbees” from eleven other classes.

Highlights: In recognition of the very talented young researchers who have served as Teaching Assistants in FIR over the years, we invite them together with student alumni to make presentations at the FIR symposium. We hope to see many of these TA FIRbees in June. Also, the 2009 Pioneer, Beacon and Distinguished Alumni Award Awards have been announced; please see the Symposium Award page to learn about this year’s winners who will be our honored guest speakers.

Our program (pdf) will again feature presentations on current research from returning alumni, TA’s and members of the Class of 2009. These presentations represent the cutting edge of research in reproductive biology around the world and always impress those otherwise uninitiated to the outstanding FIR cadre. Social events, evenings out, and the popular Sunset Cruise are also on the schedule.

Rediscover Woods Hole: The FIR Symposium program events are held on the MBL campus. We’ve scheduled lectures in the newly renovated Speck Auditorium (formerly Whitman). Light breakfasts, full lunch buffets and coffee breaks will be provided in the Meigs Room at the Swope Center. FIRbees and guests lecturers will again stay at the Nautilus Motor Inn, overlooking scenic Little Harbor, a short walk from the MBL.

Travel reimbursements and free lodging for FIR alumni: As ever, returning FIR alumni are eligible for travel and lodging expenses. We will provide lodging at the Nautilus Motor Inn, and reimburse most travel costs. Please check the Lodging Information page and the Travel Reimbursement site for details

Please start making your plans to attend! The Class of 2004 and all TA’s gets travel funding priority this year. Preference then goes to those who have not previously attended a symposium and those presenting new talks. Last year we had to turn away late comers because the program filled-up and funding was fully expended. Submit your on-line Symposium Registration Form without delay.

Contact: Dori Chrysler Mebane, Symposium Coordinator: dmebane@mbl.edu.