Women in Evolution Conference

[James B. Whitfield]

>>>>CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT<<<<

WOMEN IN EVOLUTION: A GATHERING OF SCIENTIFIC PERSPECTIVES

Sponsored by the Sloan Foundation, National Science Foundation, Rockefeller
Foundation, University of Arkansas, and the Arkansas Department of Health
and Education

Organizer: Sydney Cameron

This 18 - 21 September, 1996, the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville is
hosting a conference entitled, "Women in Evolution: A Gathering of
Scientific Perspectives." The goals of the conference are to recognize the
achievements that women have made and continue to make in the field of
evolutionary biology, to assess the social and professional climate in
which women in science work today, and to chart a course of action that
will expand the opportunities in Arkansas (and elsewhere) for women to
participate in science at all educational levels.

Emphasis will be on the excellence that exists among the pool of women
researchers in the major subdisciplines within the field of evolutionary
biology, including molecular evolution, evolution of form and development,
speciation and phylogeny, evolution of behavior, and evolutionary ecology
and biodiversity. Speakers have been invited from across the country,
representing different levels of career experience, from senior graduate
students to distinguished professors.

During the course of two and one-half days, each invited speaker will play
two roles, serving both as scholar and mentor. Two workshops have been
organized for the purpose of focusing discussion on critical issues
influencing the successful training and advancement of women in evolution
and ecology. The workshops will provide opportunities for students,
faculty, and junior and high school teachers to participate equally with
the speakers in identifying social and institutional factors underlying
successes and failures in promoting and maintaining careers for women in
these fields.

Participation is free, and all who are interested are welcome. However, you
must register by contacting Sydney Cameron, conference organizer,
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, e-mail: scameron at comp.uark.edu,
501-575-5349, FAX: 575-4010, .

Below is a list of speakers and talk titles (not including two keynote
speakers, to be determined), and an agenda.

EVOLUTIONARY SUBDISCIPLINES ADDRESSED IN THE PROGRAM:
(1) Molecular Evolution,  (2) Evolution of Form and Development
(3) Speciation and Phylogeny,  (4) Evolution of Behavior
(5) Evolutionary Ecology & Biodiversity





(1)     JOANA DA SILVA, PhD student, Genetics Program, U of Arizona
            Patterns of molecular evolution in P transposable elements

(1)     JENNIFER WERNEGREEN, PhD student, Biology, Yale U
            Rhizobium gone native: The role of host plant species in shaping
               genetic divergence of indigenous nitrogen-fixing, symbiotic
               bacteria

(1)     JESSICA KISSINGER, NSF Sloan Fellow, NIH
            From microscopes to molecules: the evolution of malaria
               and other blood parasites

(1)     MARGARET RILEY, Assoc. Prof., Biology, Yale U
            Molecular evolution of defense systems in bacteria

(1)     MARGARET KIDWELL, Prof., Ecology & Evol. Biology, U of Arizona
            TBA

(2)     JESSICA BOLKER, postdoc, Biology, Indiana U, Bloomington
            Caviar, Uni, and the evolution of development

(2)     DIANA WHEELER, Assoc. Prof., Entomology, U of Arizona
            Evolution of castes in insect societies: from simple division
               of labor to extreme physical specializations

(2)     MARVALEE WAKE, Prof., Integrative Biology, UC Berkeley
            Evolutionary morphology--the integration of form,
              function, and development

(3)     ANNA GRAYBEAL, Asst. Curator, Field Museum, Chicago
            Approaches to understanding the history and patterns of frog
               evolution

(3)     HOPE HOLLOCHER, Asst. Prof., Biology, Princeton U
            TBA

(3)     CHRIS SIMON, Assoc. Prof., Ecol & Evol. Biology, U of CT
            17-year cicadas with 13-year life cycles: Integrating molecular
               systematics, molecular evolution, and ecology

(4)     KERRY L. SHAW, Asst. Prof, Organismal & Evol Biology, Harvard U
            The evolution of acoustic behavior and its role in speciation

(4)     ADRIENNE ZIHLMAN, Prof., Anthropology, UC Santa Cruz
            TBA

(5)     SHARON MESSENGER, PhD student, Biology, U of Texas, Austin
            Studying the evolution of virulence using an experimental
               bacteriophage model

(5)    CATHERINE L. CRAIG, Fellow, Bunting Institute, Harvard U
            Linking silk proteins with the evolution of aerial
               web-spinning spiders



AGENDA

18 SEPTEMBER 1996 - WEDNESDAY EVENING
7:30 pm                          Greeting and Keynote Address, Reception

19 SEPTEMBER 1996 - THURSDAY
8:30 am                           Intro to Scientific Presentations
8:40 am - 10:00 am       Scientific Presentations (Molecular Evolution)
10:00 am        BREAK
10:20 am -11:45 am      Scientific Presentations (Molecular Evolution)

LUNCH
1:30 - 3:30 pm               Scientific Presentations (Evolution of Form
                                                  and Development)
3:30                BREAK
4:00 - 5:30 pm               Scientific Presentations (Speciation and
                                                  Phylogeny )

DINNER
7:00 - 9:30 pm               Workshop I: Creating the Climate: Mentoring
                                                  and Leadership

20 SEPTEMBER 1996 - FRIDAY
8:30 am - 10:30              Scientific Presentations (Evolution of Behavior)
10:30 am    BREAK
11:00 am - 1:00 pm        Scientific Presentations (Evolutionary Ecology &
                                                   Biodiversity)
LUNCH
3:00 pm - 5:30 pm           Workshop II: Shaping Institutional Responsibility:
                                                   Opportunities & Challenges
DINNER
7:30 pm                              Keynote Scientific Address, Reception

21 SEPTEMBER 1996 - SATURDAY MORNING
9:00 am - 12:00 noon           Workshop Summaries and open forum for
                                                  discussion
LUNCH

Sat. afternoon, tour of the Ozark Mountain Buffalo River Wild Area
Depart Sun. morning.



REGISTRATION INFORMATION

To obtain all registration information for the conference, please contact
Sydney Cameron at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville via e-mail,
snail-mail, phone, or FAX.  Registration forms will be sent upon request.
E-mail registration is also available if you make an e-mail request.
Sydney Cameron will be out of reach from 6 - 12 August.

Sydney A. Cameron
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701 USA
e-mail: scameron at comp.uark.edu
Ph: 501-575-5349  FAX: 501-575-4010






********* DEADLINE: 25 AUGUST 1996 ***********

The conference will be limited to a total of 250 people, many of whom
will come from the University of Arkansas campus and surrounding
community.  Therefore, all registration must be completed by 25 August
to make sufficient preparations.


COSTS:
Registration is free

Accomodations in Fayetteville run from $40- $60 per double occupancy. The
Hilton Hotel in downtown Fayetteville is the official hotel for the
conference, although there are a number of other motels in the local area.
Accomodations must be arranged individually by each person. A list of
hotels and motels will be sent out along with a registration card.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
New updates on the conference will be available on the the World Wide
http://pigtrail.uark.edu/university/TheUniversity.nclk

Sydney A. Cameron                       e-mail:   scameron at comp.uark.edu
Biological Sciences                       FAX:        501-575-4010
University of Arkansas                Phone:     501-575-5349
Fayetteville, AR 72701

J. B. Whitfield
Department of Entomology
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
(501)575-2482 FAX -2452
jwhitfie at comp.uark.edu