Special Events and Social Event

Opening Mixer
Registrants and their guests are invited to attend the Opening Mixer on Tuesday, October 23 from 8:00 PM until 11:00 PM at the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina. All registrants are encouraged to attend the mixer. It offers a relaxed atmosphere in which attendees can become acquainted and reacquainted with colleagues. Light snacks and cash bars will be provided.

Trainee-Mentor Luncheon
Sponsored by the ASHG Information and Education Committee, the Trainee-Mentor Luncheon is scheduled for Wednesday, October 24, at 11:30 AM in the San Diego Convention Center. This event provides a wonderful opportunity for students in the field of human genetics to sit and chat informally with senior members of the Society about career goals, achievements, training programs, and many other career options within the various disciplines of genetics. This year we have made a special effort to include mentors who are active in a variety of fields including executives in private industry, editors of scientific journals and journalists as well as academicians, professors, clinicians, genetic counselors. The luncheon is held on the first day of the meeting so that students can continue their discussions with these mentors at some other time during the course of the meeting. Trainees at any level (graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and clinical fellows) are invited to attend. 

The cost for the luncheon is $15 USD per trainee. Seats may be reserved only by registering in advance by the early registration deadline of September 7. Tickets will be mailed with all details before the meeting. Tickets are non-refundable.

Mentors are chosen for this event by the chair of the Information and Education Committee. For those chosen to serve as mentors, lunch is complimentary. (NOTE: Mentors should not order tickets for themselves when completing the online registration form.)

Mock Study Section Workshop/Boxed Lunch

Ever wonder what really goes on in a study section grant review? Come see for yourself when NIH review staff and ASHG members who have served on study sections act out the review of several grant applications. This will give you a chance to see how evaluations are made, and get your questions answered. The Mock Study Section will be held on Saturday on October 27^th from 12:30-2:00pm and includes a simple box lunch in the $15 registration fee. All participants must register in advance and are not included in the meeting registration fee. Tickets are non-refundable.

Attendance is limited to the first 250 people who register, so do so as soon as possible. More details and a full session summary will be posted this summer.

Social Event
An Evening at San Diego’s Natural History Museum Featuring The Dead Sea Scrolls

Join us at San Diego’s Natural History Museum on Saturday, October 27 from 7 PM until 11 PM for a reception and private viewing of the Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit (see description and history below). In addition to having the opportunity to view this fascinating exhibit, ASHG’s guests will also have access to the entire museum including the rooftop deck. Guests will be encouraged to explore the Museum’s galleries full of fossils, artifacts, and exhibitions that illustrate the science and beauty of nature.

Included in the ticket price are your admission to the museum; heavy hors d’oeuvres; a food station menu featuring diverse, international cuisine; drinks; coffee; and a tempting dessert selection. Two (2) drink tickets will be provided to each person in exchange for beer, wine, or a soft drink at the bar.

Admission to An Evening at the San Diego's Natural History Museum:
Regular Registrant	$80.00
Trainee Registrant	$70.00
Adult Guest	$80.00
Children (ages 4-20)	$40.00
Children (ages 3 and under)	FREE

Tickets to this event MUST be purchased in advance and are not included in meeting registration fees. No tickets will be available for sale at the meeting. 

History of the Dead Sea Scrolls

An accidental discovery by a goat herder wandering with his flock in Israel near the Dead Sea in 1947 yielded the first discovery of many that have collectively come to be known as the Dead Sea Scrolls. Hidden in eleven caves, these ancient manuscripts, dating between 250 BCE and 68 CE, represent the earliest copies of the biblical text discovered to date. Since their discovery, scholars have poured over the Dead Sea Scrolls and pieced together the fragments to bring us a clearer picture of these fascinating historical documents. Even with modern technology and scientific knowledge, mystery still surrounds the scrolls. Who wrote them and why? 

The following is what we will see on display:

- 24 authentic Dead Sea Scrolls from Israel, fully interpreted with translation of text and background information; many never before seen in the US

- Authentic, ancient, biblical, illuminated manuscripts from the National Library of Russia

- The Copper Scroll from Jordan, the only Dead Sea Scroll engraved on metal

- Authentic artifacts from the ancient site of Qumran, fully interpreted, incorporating the latest scholarship and scientific research

- Modern science at work through DNA analysis, Carbon 14 dating and other scientific methods used to piece together the Dead Sea Scroll puzzle

- Panoramic photography exploring the geographical similarities between San Diego County, Israel and Jordan

 

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