Horizons in Molecular Biology

Most scientific conferences are organized by senior scientists for senior scientists. They often cater only for a specialized audience with an advanced scientific background. As a result, few young researchers have the opportunity to be involved in planning these events or in presenting at them.

In response, a group of molecular-biology PhD students at the International Max Planck Research School in Göttingen, Germany, decided in 2003 to organize a symposium by young researchers for young researchers. Rather than focus on a specialized audience, we sought to attract early-stage researchers with an open outlook on alternative and novel scientific approaches and their related technologies.

The resulting conference series, Horizons in Molecular Biology, aims to equip young researchers with a comprehensive overview of current frontier research in the life sciences. But learning about the cutting edge is only one goal of these meetings.

We want to help establish an interdisciplinary scientific network among today's PhD students. The Horizons meetings place a strong emphasis on networking. Various social and scientific events catalyse information exchange in an informal atmosphere.

The Horizons meetings have already benefited the young scientific community in Göttingen. Those involved in organizing the symposia have been presented with a unique opportunity to gain experience in fundraising, design, promotion and event management. The first symposium allowed the organizing committee to forge invaluable contacts, improve team-building and communication skills, and gain new insights into the current scientific landscape.

The second Horizons symposium — Decoding Nature: Hierarchy of Interactions — will take place on 17–19 March at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry in Göttingen. The programme will include a session of talks given by PhD students and a large forum for poster presentations. The social programme features, among other events, a party with live music. As a result, students who attend will feel like they are among their peers, rather than on the outside trying to get in with their more established colleagues.

http://www.horizons.uni-goettingen.de