2007 Annual Fall Meeting

The 2006 ANDP Fall Meeting was held on November 3, 2007 in San Diego California during the Society for Neuroscience meeting. Over 60 ANDP member representatives attended. The following new officers began terms of service: Michael Lehman, President; Rae Nishi, President-Elect; Regina Armstrong, Treasurer; Scott Brady, Councilor; Alan Sved, Councilor. 

Dr. Armstrong reviewed the financial status of the organization whose net assets are currently over $130,000 and operating annual budget is approximately $65,000. New investments in the website will utilize some $12,000 this year, and the ANDP national survey of programs is ongoing and is likely to incur costs in 2008. In general, the ANDP is financially stable and in a position to deploy resources for new initiatives.

Initial “look and feel” screenshots of the updated ANDP website were shared with members, and the site is expected to be fully functional Dec 1, 2007. Major changes in the site include searchability and member update functions that will improve member utilization and reduce clerical web work. 

This year, three educational awards were presented to acknowledge the breadth and depth of neuroscience education. The Education award was presented to Dr. John (Jack) Byrne for his outstanding and tireless achievements in neuroscience education, ranging from mentoring trainees, to an online neuroscience textbook. The Special Achievement Award was presented to Dr. Ann Kelley for her exemplary commitment to mentoring, including a focus on women and good practices in mentoring as shared in the CID project. Dr. Kelley was an emerging leader in neuroscience research and education, and presenting the award just after her untimely passing was bittersweet. Dr. Tom Yin gracefully accepted the award on her behalf. The Distinguished Service Award was presented to the Marine Biological Laboratories for their longterm commitment to neuroscience education including courses such as Neurobiology and Neural Systems and Behavior, as well as Grass Fellows, and provision for interactions among neuroscientists during the summer and year-round at the MBL. Drs. Donald Faber and Lenny Dawidowicz accepted the award.

During the SfN meeting the ANDP also sponsored two activities for trainees, the ANDP Forum on Professional Development and the Student Hospitality Suite, and ANDP members participated in an SfN symposium on the Carnegie Initiative on the Doctorate. 

The Sfn Symposium “Awarding the Neuroscience PhD in a Changing Academic Landscape”
Was held Sunday November 4, 2007 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m in the San Diego Convention Center, Room 6C, and ANDP past presidents George Rebec and Cheryl Sisk participated in the Symposium.

The annual ANDP FORUM for Students and Postdoctoral Trainees. This year's ANDP Forum, “Managing the balancing act—between life and a career in neuroscience” featured a panel discussion on strategies to balance a career in neuroscience with family or other commitments. The Forum, organized by incoming ANDP President Michael Lehman was held on Monday, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Ballroom Salon F, San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina. 

ANDP/SfN STUDENT HOSPITALITY SUITE. The suite was located in the San Diego Convention Center Room 10 and was open each day of the SfN meeting from November 3 - 7. ANDP Councilor Dan Tranel organized student hosts and a poster describing ANDP membership and activities. This year, the suite also featured a student-generated local restaurant guide. Students took advantage of this quiet place to relax and socialize with other students. Details may be found at http://www.andp.org/meetings/2007/hospitality.htm.

The special issue of Nature Neuroscience available at the SFN meeting included comments from Michael Lehman, ANDP President-Elect, on neuroscience career issues.