NRMN @ ARBCMS 2018 Recap

NRMN at ABRCMS this year was so much fun and such a success! We made so many connections with so many amazing individuals, and we are here to share our resources with this network.

What Is ABRCMS?

In order to move the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) forward, it’s crucial that there is more diversity, which means the inclusion of minorities, veterans and people with disabilities working in these fields. The first ABRCMS hosted by ASM in 2001, was founded to encourage minority, first-generation, veteran, and disabled students to pursue higher education in STEM. Today, ABRCMS is one the largest professional conferences for underrepresented students.

ABRCMS also provides program directors and faculty the tools they need to help their students succeed.

The four-day conference includes:
2,000 poster and oral presentations given by undergraduate and postbaccalaureate students
Scientific and professional development sessions
Over 380 exhibit booths
Networking opportunities
Plenary speakers
Conference programming tracks for undergraduates, graduates & postdoctoral scientists, and non-students
Awards banquet

Who Attends ABRCMS?

Attendee Type	2001	2005	2010	2017
Students	1,157	1,667	2,008	2,724
Undergrads/Postbacs	863	1,296	1,713	2,374
Grads/Postdocs	161	371	295	350
Exhibitors	230	323	504	835
Program Directors & Faculty	304	423	587	587
Others/Admin	164	131	139	206
Total	1,855	2,544	3,238	4,352

Above information sourced from ABRCMS 2018*

NRMN collaborates with the DPC & CEC:

The National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN) collaborated with the Center of Evaluation Center (CEC), and the Diversity Program Consortium (DPC) to facilitate this truly amazing event. We had a 3 part event series surrounded the importance of utilizing your network to its fullest extend, and how to best make the most out of attending conferences such as Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS).

Who is a part of the DPC?!

WE ARE!

Students, mentors, and mentees alike joined in the presentation and panel discussion that truly impacted our time spent at the conference in a positive collaborative manner. It means something to be a part of the Diversity Program Consortium (DPC), and we truly felt our national impact, especially when we gathered in a room to discuss reasons for persistence.

Watch this video to see Dr. Alison Gammie, Ph.D. Director of Division of Training, Workforce Development, and Diversity, of the National Institutes of General Medical Sciences, of the National Institutes of Health, shares a few words on the importance of diversity and what it means to join a consortium of this caliber and size on a national level. We do have the power to affect institutional change, and the more we unite and empower one another; the stronger the collective mission will be.

VIDEO

NRMN Meet & Greet (Session C):

The National Research Mentoring Network’s Meet and Greet was such a wonderful close to an innovative full day of promoting science diversity and identity to pursue their ultimate educational and professional dreams.

NRMN Scavenger Hunt Winner!

Networking to the max!

Mentees networking!

Mentors & Mentees networking!

Mentees Networking!

Alison Gammie, Ph.D. Director of Division of Training, Workforce Development, and Diversity National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Mercedes Rubio, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Training Branch & Program Director of NRMN, National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), National Institutes of Health, & Darren Sledjeski Chief and Program Director, Genetic Mechanisms Branch at National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), National Institutes of Health

A HUGE thank you to our sponsors for supporting this initiative and for making an impact on all those who attended.

NRMN Scavenger Hunt:

We had a wonderful turnout for this exciting virtual engagement tool. By joining the MyNRMN group for both SACNAS and ABRCMS, it allowed students and members to continue the conversations that were happening in person at the conference, to hopefully carry them onto continued collaborations via this virtual tool. Members were prompted to share posts, connect with additional members within the group, post questions and tips for making the most out of attending conferences such as these.