The Quantitative Genetics and Genomics GRS provides a unique forum for young doctoral and post-doctoral researchers to present their work, discuss new methods, cutting edge ideas, and pre-published data, as well as to build collaborative relationships with their peers. Experienced mentors and trainee moderators will facilitate active participation in scientific discussion to allow all attendees to be engaged participants rather than spectators.
Recent advances in AI are expanding how researchers approach complex biological questions. This seminar explores the opportunities and challenges of leveraging these advances to dissect quantitative traits, moving beyond gene-trait associations to understand the components of complex traits. These questions span species and biological scales, from population-level variation to molecular phenotypes, and across an ever-expanding diversity of data types. Talks will explore how predictive and generative models advance our understanding of quantitative traits, organized across two sessions: one focused on methods development and applications, and one on inference and interpretation.
Distinguished senior scientists will serve as mentors, interacting with participants throughout the GRS. The mentorship sessions include an informal lunch where participants are split into groups to discuss a topic of their choice with their mentor, followed by a panel in which mentors summarize their discussions and address further questions from participants. Topics typically center on career development and navigating an early research career.
The seminar will feature 10 talks and 2 poster sessions. All attendees are expected to actively participate either by giving an oral presentation or presenting a poster. All applications must include an abstract. The seminar chairs will select speakers from abstracts submitted by November 15, 2026. Applicants not selected for a talk, or who apply after this deadline, will be expected to present a poster. All applications must be submitted by the date indicated in the Application Information section above.
Application Instructions
The seminar will feature approximately 10 talks and 2 poster sessions. All attendees are expected to actively participate in the GRS, either by giving an oral presentation or presenting a poster. Therefore, all applications must include an abstract.
The seminar chair will select speakers from abstracts submitted by November 8, 2026. Those applicants who are not chosen for talks and those who apply after the deadline to be considered for an oral presentation will be expected to present a poster. In order to participate, you must submit an application by the date indicated in the Application Information section above.
Program Format
Gordon Research Seminars are 2-day meetings which take place on the Saturday and Sunday just prior to the start of the associated GRC. The GRS opens with a 1-hour introductory session on Saturday afternoon, followed by a poster session, dinner and a 2-hour session in the evening. Sunday morning begins with breakfast and is followed by another 2-hour session, a second poster session, and lunch. A final 1-hour session takes place just after lunch, and the associated GRC begins later that evening.
