The Student Affairs Committee (SAC)

The Student Affairs Committee (SAC) consists of graduate students and postdoctoral associates with the objectives of providing insights, programs, and resources geared toward the needs of the young investigator membership of the scientific community. Towards these objectives, the SAC leadership in previous years, has initiated several programs at the Symposium. These programs are open to all the students in the various societies, and include:

Sponsoring a job fair (free to all student members) to assist in the introduction of potential employers to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows looking to advance in their careers. Additionally, positions at a more experienced level are sometimes included in this job fair for individuals looking to make parallel job transitions.

Competitive Poster Competition with cash prizes. This is a forum for young investigators to gain experience in presenting their exciting and cutting-edge research projects to established investigators with diverse multidisciplinary backgrounds and engage in a question and answer session. This training ground provides the young investigator with an experience that may be utilized in future quests for postdoctoral or full time employment positions as careers advance.

Young Investigator Mini Symposium provides graduate students and postdoctoral associates (in some cases), a first opportunity to orally present research at an International Symposium. This process includes the abstract submission, selection of oral presentations by the Selection Committee, the excitement of receiving an invitation for an oral presentation, and the nervousness of presenting their cutting-edge research to their peers, meeting attendees, and leaders in the field. While this first experience is sometimes nerve wracking, it is a stepping-stone to gaining the necessary confidence and exposure required for a successful scientific career in academia and industry.

Having established and continuously refined the above activities geared toward supporting and training the young investigator membership of the international peptide community, the Student Affairs Committee is in the process of initiating new programs to benefit young investigators at the 2^nd International Peptide Symposium and 17^th American Peptide Symposium in San Diego, California this June. These programs include networking opportunities and career development workshops.

In addition, the Symposium provides critical financial support in travel awards totaling over $30,000 to assist with the travel expenses associated for young investigators to attend the symposium. If you are interested in participating in various aspects of young investigator development, have questions or suggestions; please contact any of the Student Committee Membership.

"Our future is in the hands of the youth, let’s support and train them as best we are able."

-Anonymous source