SEB Bulletin July 2006 - From the President's Desk
The Annual Main Meeting at Canterbury was smaller than the one in Barcelona last year but no less successful or interesting for that. This was how I spent my time.
For me the meeting began with the train journey from Cambridge to Canterbury on the Sunday taking me through bits of the Kent I don’t know very well, particularly the Medway towns. The train line also gave some good views of typical Kentish countryside including some hop gardens and orchards. A taxi ride from Canterbury station took me to the University where registration was in full swing with many people greeting old friends or taking a preliminary look at the programme. Not so good was being told that I was staying in Darwin College which was about as far away from the registration as it’s possible to get. Still I needed the exercise and it was a good way of familiarising myself with the campus.
Monday was a full day for me. I was joint organiser (with Phil White and Kevin Pyke) of a session on “Compartmentation in Plants” and was to chair the opening session beginning at 8.30 am. Everything went well until we reached the scheduled coffee break when we realised no-one knew where our much-needed caffeine was being served. As the delegates, including me, milled around Darwin College, the SEB helpers made calls on their walkie-talkies and a good 10 minutes elapsed before we were told that coffee was in the Sports Hall on the far side of the campus. As we had scheduled only 25 minutes for the break, this meant there wasn’t enough time to get there and back so many of us went without.
At lunchtime I had to chair the SEB’s AGM and was pleased to see that a few stalwart members had turned up ensuring that the Officers were not simply reporting to themselves. Why is the AGM so poorly attended? Does nobody want to know what the Officers have been doing all year or call them to account over how they’ve run the Society? Perhaps we’re doing such a good job nobody minds. Surely it can’t be apathy that keeps members away?
I was back in the Compartmentation session for the afternoon. I was scheduled to give a talk which, fortunately, seemed to go well and a major scientific milestone for the first day was behind me. One final and very enjoyable task was left – to preside at the Society’s Woolhouse and the Bidder Lectures given, respectively, by Richard Mithen (Institute of Food Research) and Keith Roberts (John Innes Centre). They both gave excellent talks which kept the audience enthralled and which must surely have been a loss to those who did not attend. Then it was off to the Kentish Supper; a great way to meet friends and colleagues as I moved between the various stalls sampling the variety of foods on offer.
Tuesday was a quieter day with no formal duties so I was able just to sit and listen to good science and take some time to look at posters. In other words, be a proper delegate. Wednesday saw a return to more hectic activities, at least from lunchtime onwards when I chaired a session on “Managing Your Lab – A Beginner’s Guide”. This was based on an event the BBSRC organises each year for those of its new Research Fellows who are beginning the independent phase of their careers. Thanks to Sarah Blackford’s excellent organisational skills, the session was a great success. Interestingly, the audience also included some very experienced individuals, perhaps indicating that guidance of this sort is needed at all stages of a career. In the afternoon I gave a talk in the “Advances in Cellular Micromanipulation” session organised jointly with the Royal Microscopical Society, in what we hope will be the first of many such ventures. Finally the day was rounded off with the Conference Dinner. In an attempt to boost the profile of the President’s Medal presentations we scheduled them for the period after the dessert. This I think was a great improvement over arrangements in previous years although it was unfortunate that some delegates continued to talk through the talks given by the Medallists spoiling the event for those sitting near them as well as indicating their lack of respect for the awardees.
Unfortunately, I had to leave early on Thursday morning so did not experience the rest of the meeting. However, I saw enough to know that the enthusiasm of the delegates and the quality of the science remained undiminished from previous years and that, as ever, the organisation and preparation done by all of the SEB staff and the session organisers was impeccable. I thank them all. Roger Leigh (RL225@cam.ac.uk) Call for President’s Medallists Nominations Each year, the Society honours three outstanding young scientists for their achievements by awarding them the prestigious SEB President’s medal. One person is chosen from each of the Society’s sections at the November sections committee meeting. The President’s medalists are normally under 35 years of age, or within 10 years of obtaining their PhD and should be of outstanding merit. The winners are presented with their medals at the Society’s Annual Main Meeting The membership of the Society can now make nominations for the 2007 President’s medalists, which should be sent to the section secretaries before the 1st November 2006. If you know anyone who deserves to be recognised for their outstanding achievement then please nominate them! To download a nomination form and for more details, please go to the SEB & Membership – Honours and Awards section of the SEB website.
Roger Leigh Honorary President
Call for President’s Medallists Nominations
outstanding young scientists for their achievements by awarding them the prestigious SEB President’s medal. One person is chosen from each of the Society’s sections at the November sections committee meeting. The President’s medalists are normally under 35 years of age, or within 10 years of obtaining their PhD and should be of outstanding merit. The winners are presented with their medals at the Society’s Annual Main Meeting.
The membership of the Society can now make nominations for the 2007 President’s medalists, which should be sent to the section secretaries before the 1st November 2006. If you know anyone who deserves to be recognised for their outstanding achievement then please nominate them! To download a nomination form and for more details, please go to the SEB & Membership – Honours and Awards section of the SEB website.
