The Multiscale Mechanochemistry and Mechanobiology 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.
This seminar will promote collaboration and scientific creativity, as well as create career-changing opportunities for young representatives of this exciting cross-disciplinary field.
This meeting will stimulate the discussion on how molecules and their assemblies are affected by mechanical forces to understand the behavior of natural and synthetic materials. By focusing on fundamental mechanisms, it will be shown how these are increasingly translated into applications including, but not limited to, the development of mechanodiagnostics and therapeutics, materials for tissue engineering, self-reporting and self-healing materials as well as actuators and soft robots. Material science, biophysics, and organic chemistry will be used to tackle forefront methods for measuring forces and inducing chemical changes at different length and force scales. Theoretical and experimental strategies will be employed to understand the mechanism of mechanical sensing and mechanical activation in in different life domains. We expect that an open discussion of the common understandings and the gaps in knowledge will drive further fundamental research as well as synthesis of multifunctional and bio-inspired materials.
The goal of this GRS is to provide an intellectually and emotionally supportive environment for PhD students and post-docs. We will open with a keynote lecture by a leader in the field to start the scientific discussions, followed by presentations from early career researchers with diverse backgrounds. Among the selected leaders in the field, we will have the honor to host Prof. Jeffrey S. Moore, an authority in mechanochemistry and a continuous source of inspiration for young researchers. We plan to complement the scientific program with activities focused on bringing together students from different backgrounds to build a sense of community. Finally, a career panel will serve to establish mentorship relations and bring about career changing opportunities.
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 April 14, 2024. 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.
