The Role of Plant Volatiles: Inspiring a New Generation of Molecular Omics Enabled Field Biologists

The Gordon Research Seminar on Plant Volatiles is a unique forum for graduate students, post-docs, and other scientists with comparable levels of experience and education to present and exchange new data and cutting edge ideas.

The 2^nd Plant Volatiles Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) will bring together young international scientists from a diverse array of scientific disciplines such as plant biology, entomology, microbiology, pharmacology, agronomy, food science, biochemistry, genetics, and ecology. The attendees, representing a new generation of biologists, will have the unique opportunity to participate in highly interdisciplinary, interactive and constructive discussions of current research and emerging areas in the field of plant volatiles with their direct peers. Through poster and oral presentations, the 2016 GRS will feature new, unpublished progress on the following topics of plant volatile research:

1. The role of volatiles in interactions of plants with their biotic environment
2. The interplay of abiotic factors and plant volatile formation and function
3. Plant volatile biosynthesis, engineering and applications in agriculture and pharmacology
4. Perception of volatiles by plants, animals and humans, and resulting responses

Dr. Nicole van Dam, a key scientific leader and experienced educator (Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research iDiv, Germany), and Dr. Philipp Zerbe, representing early career faculty (UC Davis, USA), will provide keynote addresses and serve as mentors. Dr. Susanne Brink (Editor, Trends in Plant Science) will serve as additional mentor and share her experience in alternative science careers and science communication. The program of the Plant Volatiles GRS will provide ample time to discuss science and career choices with peers and members of the mentoring team.

The open minded, scientifically stimulating and collegial atmosphere of the meeting is designed to develop collaborations among and promote professional growth of a new generation of biologists. The GRS immediately precedes the Plant Volatiles Gordon Research Conference (GRC), and is designed by and for young scientists that are expected to actively participate by either oral or poster presentations. We enthusiastically encourage participation of young scientists, including graduate students and post-doctoral fellows, with diverse backgrounds and research experiences from around the world. Travel and registration support for both U.S. and international participants are anticipated.