The Annual Meeting of the Rio Grande Branch of the American Society for Microbiology (RGASM) will be held on the campus of the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico on March 4th and 5th, 2011 with registration beginning at 12:30 PM on Friday, March 4th in the Domenici Center Auditorium on UNM North Campus at 1001 Stanford NE.  The meeting will reconvene on Saturday morning, March 5th, at 8:30 AM in the Domenici Center Auditorium.  The meeting will emphasize environmental microbiology and clinical microbiology and will include invited speakers as well as talks and posters by those interested in presenting their research results. 

Of course, we will also have short 10-15 minute talks and posters given by students, faculty and staff.  An abstract form is included as a separate attachment to this mailing for those who wish to present their work.  As there is only a limited amount of time for short talks, please notify us by March 1, 2011 if you plan to present a short talk or a poster.  This can be submitted by email to Kathryn Henderson (khenderson@salud.unm.edu) or Dr. Steve Young (steve.young@tricore.org).  Remember, as before, there will be student awards for the best presentations.

The meeting will incorporate a Friday evening dinner at a popular local restaurant, Sadie’s Dining Room, 6230 4th NW (345-5339).  The RGASM Branch will pay for the meals of undergraduate and graduate students who are presenting talks or posters at the meeting.  Please distribute this newsletter to anyone else you think might attend the conference.

Student Competition:
There will be two categories of student competition and awards which will include a free student membership in the national ASM.  The categories will be at the Undergraduate and Graduate level and there will be three prizes at each level.  If you submit an abstract, please be sure to indicate on the pre-registration form if you are an undergraduate or graduate student.  A requisite for those competing is that they must have registered in the Rio Grande Branch.  The registration fee is $5 for students and may be paid prior to the beginning of the meeting sessions.  A special $25 fellowship will be provided to all out-of-town students who present at the meeting, to cover travel and registration costs.

Lodging:
There are many motels in the Albuquerque area.  One of the websites featuring lodging close to the UNM campus and hospital is: http://hotelguides.com/colleges/new-mexico/university-new-mexico.html.  Another website for hotels/lodging is: ABQ Hotels 

Meeting Locations:
The Friday, March 4th afternoon session, starting at 1:00 PM, in the Domenici Center on UNM North Campus at 1001 Stanford NE.  Meeting registration, starting at 12:30 PM, and poster set-ups will be in the lobby adjacent to the meeting room.  Dedicated parking will be arranged for this meeting. 

The Saturday, March 5th session will also be held at the Domenici Center.  Saturday parking will not required permits or dedicated parking. 

Map and Directions to Domenici Center

Parking:
Parking permits will be required for Friday.  Information on parking permits will be sent later. On Saturday, parking is not restricted. 

 
2011 Meeting Pre-Registration Form

2011 RG-ASM Meeting Abstract Instructions