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.
In the fast-moving fields of quantitative genetics and genomics, some of the most exciting and cutting-edge work and ideas come from graduate students and post-doctoral researchers. The Gordon Research Seminar on Quantitative Genetics and Genomics is a unique forum for graduate students and post-docs from human, plant, and animal genetics to present their current work, exchange ideas, share insights, and establish new collaborations. There will be opportunities to meet and interact with senior scientists during the seminar. A mentoring session will be organized on the second day, where small groups composed of attendees and mentors will discuss topics related to careers in quantitative genetics.
The focus of this year’s meeting is the opportunities and challenges in working with high-throughput phenotyping data. High-throughput phenotyping data encompasses, but is not limited to: omics, sensor and imaging data, electronic health records, activity monitoring, and sequencing. We will discuss the insights we gain into genetics of complex traits using diverse datasets, the challenges we need to overcome, and the opportunities for future research. Statistical, computational, and experimental methods, as well as results stemming from their application, will be presented.
The mentorship component will consist of informal interactions during lunch where participants are split into groups to discuss a topic of their choice with senior scientists, followed by a panel discussion session where mentors summarize the discussions at lunch and take further questions from participants. The mentors are distinguished senior scientists who are invited for this session and who will also interact with participants throughout the GRS. They will cover the following topics relevant to career progression of early career researchers at the mentoring session (mentors to be named soon):
· Identifying directions of research in a fast-expanding field
· Research opportunities in industry
· Gaining and managing independence in research
· Method development in quantitative genetics
· Soft skills in research—writing, presenting, and networking· Interdisciplinary work—how to ace challenges and gain new skills
· Making the postdoctoral position work for you
