Transforming undergraduate education in the molecular life sciences

July 27–30, 2023
Suffolk University, Boston

Join us for a small interactive education-focused ASBMB meeting to learn about engaging approaches to supporting students and faculty in biochemistry and molecular biology. Reconnect with peers, meet new colleagues and increase your network of education-minded professionals while exploring Boston.

Conference topics include:

  • Leadership development
  • Supporting mid-career and shifting careers
  • Teaching in a diverse and equitable environment

Panel discussions will include Discipline-Based Education Research (DBER) and preparing students for jobs in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Attendees will be able to participate in workshops with several education focused NSF-funded groups (CUREs, assessment, case-based learning, biomolecular visualization) to learn about their innovative projects and join their communities. Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet with program directors from the NIH and NSF.

Anyone interested in education — postdocs, instructors and faculty — is welcome to attend.

Organizers

Pamela Mertz St. Mary's College of Maryland
Odutayo Odunuga Stephen F. Austin State University
Celeste Peterson Suffolk University
Joseph J. Provost University of San Diego

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Important dates

May 23 Early registration deadline
May 23 Abstract submission deadline (posters and catalyst conversations)
June 27 Regular registration deadline

Registration and abstracts

  • There is no onsite registration, all attendees must be registered prior to arriving at the conference.
  • Registration for the conference is required at the time of abstract submission.
  • Please reach out to meetings@asbmb.org if you have questions.

Visas

All individuals traveling from outside of the United States should apply for a visa as soon as possible and at least four to five months prior to their date of travel.

Please do not wait until you receive your registration confirmation before applying for a visa. We encourage you to apply for your visa right away if you are considering attending to avoid delays and longer than anticipated wait times.

All visitors traveling to the U.S. from visa waiver countries must meet all requirements of the program. Find more information on the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and a list of visa waiver countries.

Sponsors

Sponsorship opportunities

The conference offers a variety of sponsorship opportunities for your organization to optimize your visibility to attendees.


Registration

ASBMB members will receive a $50 discount on their registration fee which will be applied during checkout.

Not a member? Join the ASBMB and save!

***Registration is currently sold out, join the waitlist to be notified of any availability.***

 
  Early registration
(by May 23)
Regular registration
(by June 27)
Grad student/postdoc
single lodging
$650 $700
Grad student/postdoc
commuter (no lodging)
$400 $450
Faculty
single lodging
$800 $850
Faculty
commuter (no lodging)
$550 $600
 

What’s included

The registration rates include:
  • Single lodging at Nathan R. Miller Residence Hall on the campus of Suffolk University, arriving on July 27 and departing on July 30.
    • Double occupancy rooms/guest lodging is available at an additional $250 (for three nights). Please note that children (ages 17 and under) are not permitted in the dorms.
  • All sessions, poster sessions and meeting materials.
  • The following meals are included in your registration fee:
    • Thursday, July 27: Dinner
    • Friday, July 28: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
    • Saturday, July 29: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
    • Sunday, July 30: Breakfast
 Note: Lodging is not included in the commuter registration rates.
 

Registration changes

Registration changes will be accepted as space allows until June 28, 2023, and can be made by contacting meetings@asbmb.org.
 

Cancellation policy

Cancellations received in writing on or before June 28, 2023, are subject to a $100 processing fee. No refunds will be issued for cancellations after June 28, due to final guarantee commitments. Email meetings@asbmb.org and attach a copy of your meeting registration receipt/paid invoice.
 

Location

Meeting location

Suffolk University
David J. Sargent Hall
120 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02108

Lodging

Suffolk University
Nathan R. Miller Residence Hall
10 Somerset Street
Boston, MA 02108

Nathan R. Miller Residence Hall is located in the heart of downtown Boston. The rooms at Miller Hall are suites comprised of two rooms that share an adjoining bathroom. Though rooms in Miller Hall have two twin beds, all accommodations for this meeting will be single. All rooms will have twin beds with linens provided, closet, dresser and desk. Note: Minors (under the age of 18) are not permitted to enter Miller Hall. 

The walking distance between Sargent Hall and Miller Hall is 0.2 miles. Walking directions From Miller Hall to Sargent Hall.

Getting to Suffolk University

All attendees are responsible for their own transportation. Shuttle service is not provided between the university and the airport.

Program schedule

Thursday July 27
Friday July 28
Saturday July 29
Sunday July 30

Thursday agenda

12:00 PM - 5:30 PM

Conference registration

5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Dinner

6:45 PM - 7:45 PM

Keynote address

Equity, diversity and inclusion
Dontarie Stallings, University of California, San Diego
7:45 PM - 8:30 PM

Small group discussion on DEI and student success

Facilitators: Tayo Odunuga, Stephen F. Austin State University & Celeste Peterson, Suffolk University

Friday agenda

8:15 AM - 8:30 AM

Breakfast

8:30 AM - 9:30 AM

Catalyst conversations

Theme: Supporting students and new faculty
9:30 AM - 9:45 AM

Coffee break

9:45 AM - 10:00 AM

Faculty development

Leadership opportunities with ASBMB: professional development and community
Pam Mertz, St. Mary’s College of Maryland
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM

Faculty development

Strategically planning your future in leadership: considerations when moving into a leadership role as a chair/head or administrator

Facilitator: Ben Caldwell, Radford University

10:45 AM - 11:45 AM

Faculty development breakout sessions

Option A: Engaged leadership using the Four-Frame model: How to view, respect and involve people using their frame of reference
Facilitator: Joe Provost, University of San Diego

Option B: The leadership of difficult conversations and conflict resolutions
Facilitator: Bill Davis, Washington State University

Option C: Negotiation
Facilitator: Pam Mertz, St. Mary’s College of Maryland

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

Faculty development feedback

Report on key discussions.

12:30 PM - 1:45 PM

Lunch with discussion themes

  • Theme A: CHEGG, ChatGPT and other systems; dealing with the new reality
  • Theme B: Mentoring undergraduates in research
  • Theme C: Science Identity among BIPOC students in our lab and classrooms
  • Theme D: Faculty looking for research collaboration and ideas for funding
  • Theme E: Midcareer faculty
1:45 PM - 2:45 PM

Preparing our students for careers in the biotech/pharma/chemical industries

A panel of biotechnology industry scientists and educators.

Facilitator: Celeste Peterson, Suffolk University

2:45 PM - 4:00 PM

Presentations

Three 15-minute presentations from abstracts selected by the organizers.

4:45 PM - 6:30 PM

Poster session with refreshments

6:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Dinner and keynote address

Growth mindset and teaching for student success
Bill Davis, Washington State University

Saturday agenda

8:00 AM - 8:15 AM

Breakfast

8:15 AM - 9:25 AM

Catalyst conversations

Themes based on submitted abstracts.

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

NSF funded network, assessment and teaching programs

Facilitator: Tayo Odunuga, Stephen F. Austin State University

  • Malate Dehydrogense CUREs Community (MCC)
    Joe Provost, University of San Diego & Amy Springer, University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • CRISPR in the Classroom Network
    Michael Wolyniak, Hampden–Sydney College
  • Biochemistry Authentic Scientific Inquiry Laboratory (BASIL)
    Rebecca Roberts, Ursinus College
  • BioMolViz
    Kristen Procko, University of Texas at Austin
  • Molecular CaseNet
    Shuchismita Dutta, Rutgers University–New Brunswick
  • Transforming the BMB education community by building an inclusive community for the assessment of BMB learning (ICABL)
    Dan Dries, Juniata College
  • CUREnet: A network of people and programs integrating research into courses
    Erin Dolan, University of Georgia
10:30 AM - 10:40 AM

Coffee break

10:40 AM - 1:05 PM

NSF-Funded Programs Showcase

10:40–11:25 a.m. Visit first session
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Visit second session
12:20–1:05 p.m.  Visit third session

1:10 PM - 2:30 PM

Lunch

2:30 PM - 3:15 PM

Butts in seats

Facilitator: John Tansey, Otterbein University

3:15 PM - 3:45 PM

Small group discussion

Key SWOT issues

3:45 PM - 4:00 PM

Coffee break

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Presentations from submitted abstracts

Sunday agenda

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Breakfast

9:00 AM - 10:15 AM

Applying education research in your instruction and getting started in education research

Facilitator: Celeste Peterson, Suffolk University  

Panel: Erika OfferdahlWashington State UniversityErin DolanUniversity of Georgia

10:20 AM - 11:50 AM

Grant opportunities

10:20–10:50 a.m., NIH grant proposals
Rebecca Burgess, National Institutes of Health & Anne GershensonNational Institutes of Health

10:55–11:25 a.m., NSF grant proposals
Ellen Carpenter, National Science Foundation

11:30–11:50 a.m.Creative ways in which Department of Education Title V grants can further BMB education
Marvin Payne, La Sierra University

11:50 AM - 12:10 PM

Questions

12:15 PM - 12:30 PM

Closing comments

Pam Mertz, St. Mary’s College of Maryland