Greetings to All ICGI members!

We hope that everyone is doing well. Now, the 2016 PAG conference is approaching, including our annual ICGI workshop there!

The upcoming PAG-ICGI workshop will be held on Sunday, January 10, 2016 at 4:00 PM-6:10 PM in Sunset - Meeting House. Please note that our new meeting location is different from our previous years!

This email is primarily about Workshop Speakers, but before discussing that, please note these abstract information and deadlines:

WORKSHOP SPEAKER ABSTRACTS:

Each workshop speakers will receive an email, after acceptance, with instructions regarding submission of their workshop abstract.

The Speaker Abstract Submission Deadline is November 6, 2015.

POSTER ABSTRACTS:

(Note, we expect to select about 15 poster presenters for 1-minute presentations at the Workshop, like last year)

See http://www.intlpag.org/2016/abstracts/poster-submission

The Poster Abstract Submissions Deadline is October 30, 2015.

The Poster Abstract Submissions Editing Deadline is November 13, 2015.

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WE ARE SOLICITING NOMINEES AND VOLUNTEERS AS SPEAKERS FOR the 2016 PAG-ICGI WORKSHOP!

At this time, we solicit volunteers and nominations for PAG-ICGI Workshop Speakers. The speakers will be selected from the submitted and nominated talks.

-- -- Please, follow the different instructions below for volunteering yourself or nominating a possible speaker.

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Please submit volunteered and nominated talks by October 21 (in one month):

A. Instructions for submitting your volunteered topic and draft abstract:

send an email with the following SUBJECT LINE:

2016 PAG-ICGI Workshop candidate abstract

to these two email addresses:

john.yu@ars.usda.gov, stelly@tamu.edu

In your email, please include the following components:

1. Presenter (Your name): Family_name, First_name

Institutional affiliation: ______

2. Email address(es), separated by a comma.

3. List of co-authors (draft)

4. Abstract (draft) -- follow guidelines for PAG, please

5. Prioritize the ICGI workgroups your work relates most closely (top)

Applied Genomics and Breeding

Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics

Functional Genomics

Germplasm & Genetic Stocks

Structural Genomics

If you do not get a response acknowledging reception of the submission, please inquire! Note that the Subject Line is important -- we will use it to identify submissions, so we recommend that you use COPY/PASTE to fill in the Subject Line of your email.

We will attempt to make speaker selections by October 26, for speakers to submit their abstracts by November 6.

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B. Instructions for nominating someone else as a prospective speaker:

[1] Confer with the person you think would be an appropriate speaker about availability, their desire to speak (20 minutes) at the Workshop (be sure to mention Sunday January 10 at 4-6pm and the new location, so that they arrive in time), prospective topic title, and willingness if selected (October 26) to provide a finalized abstract to PAG by the deadline (November 6). It would be important to inform that individual that PAG provides no support for travel or any other expenses for Workshop speakers, except as mentioned below. Speakers must register for the Conference and confirm the travel plan (a non-trivial expense). (Prior to the October 30 deadline, the rates for workshop speakers are the same as attendees. However, workshop speakers are protected from paying the increased rates after October 30. If they are registering late, after October 30, they will need to request a discount code to avoid paying the higher rates. They should send an email to: pag@scherago.com)

[2] If the person you wish to nominate confirms their interest, send an email containing with the following SUBJECT LINE:

2016 PAG-ICGI Workshop speaker nomination

to these two email addresses:

john.yu@ars.usda.gov, stelly@tamu.edu

In your email, please explain why this person and topic might be a superb speaker in the ICGI workshop.

If you do not get a response acknowledging reception of the submission, please inquire! Note that the Subject Line is important -- we will use it to identify submissions, so we recommend you use COPY/PASTE to fill in the Subject Line of your email.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM PAG TO PROSPECTIVE WORKSHOP SPEAKERS:

Once speakers are added to a workshop, each speaker will be sent an automated email with instructions how to login and post their individual workshop abstract. This form will include an option and instructions for submitting a poster abstract as well. All speakers must register for the conference. Prior to the October 30 deadline, the rates for workshop speakers are the same as attendees. However, workshop speakers are protected from paying the increased rates after October 30. If they are registering late, after October 30, they will need to request a discount code to avoid paying the higher rates. They should send an email to: pag@scherago.com

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ANTICIPATED TIMELINE FOR CHOOSING WORKSHOP SPEAKERS

After collecting input from everyone, we'll share the data and consult with workgroup chairs and co-chairs as best we can to help guide us identifying an attractive set of topics for the 2016 PAG-ICGI Workshop. Again, we will attempt to arrive at decisions by October 26, for everyone to perfect and submit their abstracts, and if not chosen, to submit a poster instead. (Please note, however, that space for posters is limited, so it might be wise to submit poster abstracts well before October 26). Speakers will be instructed to submit their abstracts by November 6, 2015.

Thanks,

John Yu and David Stelly

Organizer and Co-organizer of 2016 PAG-ICGI Workshop