By: Alison K.
What happens when you bring thousands of scientists into New Orleans? Well, a lot. Giveaway laptop bags and name tags are telltale signs of a conference attendee. Amidst French influence architecture and po boy sandwiches, scientists meet and greet, catch up with colleagues from all over North America and beyond, as well as present some of their most recent findings of their research.
Roughly 2,000 graduate students attended EB this year—an
impressive statistic. As a leader of the Student Interest Group
(SIG) for ASN, I found this year's conference renewing, rewarding
and educational. I was privileged enough to attend a student
breakfast at the Marriott, meet with the ASN fellows, as well as
participate as the student representative for the Vitamins and
Minerals RIS (VMRIS). Despite the temptation to explore the
incredible city of New Orleans, I believe attending EB and
engaging in various activities allowed me to network and learn
from scientists that I otherwise may have never had the chance to
meet in person.
Starting with the early morning breakfast, I sat at a table with
colleagues and President of ASN, Jim Hill. Dr. Hill gave a small
speech— reminding students of how important it is to be engaged
in ASN and to participate in activities. This message resonated
with me because as a graduate student, sometimes I forget how
essential it is for me to stay involved. Late nights in the lab,
events on our individual campuses and other personal obligations
often keep up distracted from our professional societies.
Dr. Hill's words let me recall my obligations to ASN as a
resource for my success in the field of nutrition.
At the VMRIS poster contest, I was tasked with taking minutes of
the business meeting as well as tallying results to determine the
winner of the contest. Throughout the academic year, I had to
publicize the VMRIS poster contest to graduate programs
throughout North America. This small administrative duty is just
a taste of what professors engage in throughout their careers—I
find as a graduate student, these kinds of positions are very
character building and eye opening. It gives you an inside view
of the kind of work that goes into creating events at EB, which
made me so much more appreciative of the hard work everyone in
ASN does in order to make EB such a success.
Meeting the ASN fellows was the most influential experience I
have at both EB conferences I have attended. Milton Sunde's words
of wisdom and anecdotes are always so enjoyable and entertaining,
as well as educational. Just think—50 years ago things were so
different in the arena of nutrition research, it just amazes me!
Imagine, Atlantic City, 1949—where Dr. Sunde, then a graduate
student, was able to interact with industry at the Poultry
Sciences meeting—that's right, they wanted to talk to graduate
students! What a treat it is to hear these amazing stories from
ASN fellows. So much history, friendship, and hard work shared in
this one hour, I can't help but be grateful for them to come and
share their stories with us. It makes me hope one day to have
such intimate connections with other researchers in nutrition.
Well, if you are a graduate student reading this, I hope that I
have thoroughly convinced you to attend EB in Anaheim in
2010. Graduate school is not always an easy place to be (it
shouldn't be easy!). It is through ASN activities at EB that I am
able to continue with passion and love for nutrition
science.
