January 26, 2005

Dear Past, Present and Prospective Members of the Texas Genetics Society,

It is my pleasure to extend this invitation to you to attend the 32^nd Annual Meeting of the Texas Genetics Society, April 7-9, 2005, in Dallas, TX.  We are planning a full schedule of student/postdoc/technician presentations.   Thanks to TGS President-Elect and Program Chair, Rodney Nairn, and local arrangements committee members Carol Wise, Fred Elder and Heather Conrad Webb, we have a truly outstanding list of invited speakers to round out the program.

The primary objective of the annual meeting is to provide an opportunity for students, postdoctoral scientists and laboratory technicians to further their professional development through social and scientific interaction with their colleagues and established investigators from throughout the state.  So, while the invited speaker program is an exciting and important feature of the annual meeting, contributed presentations by those just beginning their careers have always been the central focus of our yearly gathering.  Platform or poster formats may be requested, and all undergraduate and graduate levels students, postdoctoral fellows and laboratory technicians are eligible to compete for best presentation in their respective level and presentation category.  We urge all genetics students/postdoctoral fellows/laboratory technicians to submit abstracts and to compete for these prestigious prizes!

There will be a traditional opening reception and speaker on Thursday evening.  Invited and contributed talks will continue on Friday and Saturday.  The annual TGS banquet will take place on Friday evening during which the 2005 Barbara Bowman Distinguished Texas Geneticist Award will be made.  There will also be numerous displays of laboratory products and services by exhibitors who will be happy to talk with you and assist you with your equipment and supply questions and needs.  The Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children will be the venue for the meeting and offers a beautiful setting.  I sincerely hope you can attend the 2005 meeting and that you will urge your colleagues to attend as well. 

Further information concerning the meeting program, registration, abstract submission, and hotel accommodations can be found on the TGS website www.shsu.edu/tgs/.    You will receive periodic updates about the annual meeting by email and U.S. mail.

I look forward to seeing you at the meeting,

Christi A. Walter

TGS President

Professor and Interim Chair
Department of Cellular and Structural Biology
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio