SACNAS 2013 Conference
O si yo!
This post is not one discussing a new, exciting revelation in science; it is merely a shout-out for an amazing scientific society (Society for the Advancement of Chicanos & Native Americans in Science). So far, the conference has been a great experience, and I am looking forward to the annual Pow Wow tonight. SACNAS is celebrating its 40th anniversary and has developed into a premier scientific society advocating for under-represented groups in science. It has now grown into a quite large organization with several thousand conference attendees this year--colloquially called SACNISTAS (all caps intended). Anyone can attend the national conference, and the society accepts all indigenous peoples. This diverse group ranges from Hispanics to Cherokee, Native Hawaiian Islands to Aleuts.
I strongly urge everyone to get involved in a professional society. It is a great way to establish professional networks, learn about current trends and breakthroughs, and meet new people.
Wow, this sounds really interesting! I definitely want to try to join some kind of professional, medically-related group sometime soon. I think that joining some kind of accredited cancer society or AIDS awareness group would be a great experience. There is a lot of stigma against people with AIDS and (to a lesser extent) cancer. In her book "Illness as Metaphor," Susan Sontag talks about how these diseases have morphed into a larger-than-life "monster" that people would rather hide from than try to understand. Joining one of these groups would help keep me up to date on new medical discoveries and help me understand the (unfair) social stigmas that attend many different diseases. Joining a group that fights obesity, for example, would help me see this disorder from the patient's perspective and understand the challenges and struggles of being drastically overweight.
ReplyDeleteI am interested in how things like this begin. What does it take to create such a supporting movement that brings people together in this way? Beginning new clubs in a close knit college campus is difficult as it is, but to unite people nation wide must be a challenge. It's amazing to see how much groups like these can do. It is the best feeling to work with people you can truly relate to. I am eager to find a sort of society that I feel I have a place in, not only socially, but intellectually as well. I applaud the persons who decided to take leadership, and pursue these societies.
ReplyDeleteI have always heard about the importance of networking in establishing connections in various fields of expertise and location. However, I have always personally struggled with the initiating networking opportunities. It sounds like conferences are the perfect setting to network and explore various areas of expertise. I do not have as many opportunities to travel or network currently because I am married and am only in under graduate school. I am looking forward to going to conferences and various hospitals when I am in medical school. I am looking forward to the opportunity to meet new people and experience different environments.
ReplyDeleteIt would be great to attend one of these conferences so that we could put it on our CV and also learn from other scientist and any new and relevant research. It would also be cool if Southeastern could host some kind of conference aside from the Student Science Symposium to give us easier access to this resource. Especially since our schedules can get so busy. I also researched some close upcoming conferences such as as the following: American Pain Society - April 3-May 3rd in Tampa, SGO 45th Annual Meeting on Women's cancer - March 22-25 in Tampa, and Family Medicine: An Evidence-Based Approach to Patient Care on March 7th in Sarasota.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a really great conference. I went to the global health missions conference and I absolutely loved it. I defiantly agree with you, conferences are such an amazing networking opportunity.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up, I lost count of the number of times my parents had to travel out of state for one conference or the other. I remember watching them iron clothes, pack bags, and spend hours upon hours working on the presentations they would give at these conferences. At some point in middle school, I got to tag along while my mum presented at a conference hosted by the AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria (APIN). I remember that the focus of that particular gathering was to create an awareness of HIV/AIDS and its implications in the world of pediatrics. I also remember being extremely bored. There were doctors from different parts of Nigeria as well as some notably foreign practitioners, but again I knew nothing about the significance of such gatherings, and I just couldn't understand what all the hoopla was about.
ReplyDeleteMy feelings toward conferences did not change until I had the opportunity to attend another one in more recent years (Fall 2014). PHSO volunteered at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) Conference in Tampa and we got to spend the entire day listening to people discuss their battles with cancer, advancements in cancer research, and seemingly unorthodox treatment methods. It was an amazing experience to learn from and meet people who were equally passionate about science and saving lives. In retrospect, I am surprised to see how far I've come and how my interests have morphed intellectually and academically. This year, I hope to attend the Global Health Missions Conference in the fall and possibly develop an even better understanding of my role in the scientific community.