Gordon conferences are among the very best venues for exchanging scientific expertise and developing collaborations. The GRC on Catecholamines (GRC) has traditionally embraced young scientists like graduate students and postdoctoral fellows and former chairs and vice-chairs made it a top priority to create an engaging atmosphere at all levels. The first Gordon Research Seminar on Catecholamines (GRS) was held in 2007 in Oxford, UK and was a great success. Students and postdocs presented their research to one another and were given a unique opportunity to develop scientific and social relationships. The feedback was positive overall and we are excited to continue with the 2nd GRS on Catecholamines.

The 2009 GRS has an expected participation of up to 60 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows and will follow a similar schedule (below). The GRS will be loosely focused on the same theme as the formal GRC (from molecular to behavioral research issues). Oral presentations will be given exclusively by students and postdoctoral fellows. These presentations will follow the general GRC philosophy of encouraging extensive discussion. Student speakers will be chosen by the GRS organizing committee on the basis of abstracts submitted prior to the meeting. The remainder of postdoctoral fellows and students will present posters. All participants in the GRS are encouraged to attend the formal GRC during the following week.

GRS Organizing Committee

• Patricio O’Donnell (GRC Chair)
• Regina Carelli (GRC Vice Chair)
• Cheryse Furman (Graduate Student)
• Joshua Jones (Graduate Student)
• Jonathan Dilgen (Graduate Student)
• Kimberlei Richardson (Postdoctoral Fellow)
• Linda Steele (Graduate Student)