February 16, 2012
Vancouver, BC – Vancouver will play host to some of the most remarkable scientific minds of our time from February 16-20, at the Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Attendees will hear from Canadian innovators such as Mike Lazaridis, Vice-Chair, RIM Board of Directors, and local champions such as Dr. Michael Hayden, a world-renowned geneticist and Genome BC-funded researcher.
AAAS is an international non-profit organization dedicated to advancing science around the world by acting as an educator, leader, spokesperson and professional association. In addition to organizing membership activities, AAAS publishes the journal Science, as well as numerous scientific newsletters, books and reports, and spearheads programs that raise the bar of understanding for science worldwide.
While the AAAS conference is geared towards scientific communities, there is also a substantial public education component built into the event. On February 18 and 19 Genome BC is proud to be participating in Family Science Days. This free community science showcase features hands-on demonstrations and other family and kid-friendly activities. These events offer the public an opportunity to browse interactive tabletop exhibits, learn about cool science jobs and hear from a broad range of educators working to promote an interest in science among the general public. The event is open to families with children of all ages, but is targeted particularly at students in grades 6 through 12.
“Genome BC’s participation in the AAAS events is a real honour,” says Dr. Alan Winter, President & CEO of Genome BC. “Having a conference of this calibre in our own backyard is a real acknowledgement of the bright scientific cluster we are proud to be a part of.”
Other Genome BC funded researchers speaking at the conference include Dr. Karen Bakker, UBC; Dr. Michael Burgess, UBC; Dr. Joseph Connors and Dr. Samuel Aparicio, BC Cancer Agency; Dr. Pieter Cullis, UBC; and Dr. Paul Schaffer, TRIUMF. For a full view of the programme please visit: www.aaas.org/meetings.
