On Thursday, April 21, 2016, the DeSales University Natural Science Department hosted the inaugural Meeting of the Lehigh Valley Molecular and Cell Biology Society. This event was attended by over 100 faculty, students, and guests from numerous local colleges. Undergraduate students from Arcadia University, DeSales University, Kutztown University, Lafayette College, Lehigh University, Marywood University, Muhlenberg College, and Penn State Lehigh Valley presented a total of 29 research posters. Jose Russo, MD, FACP, of the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, was the keynote speaker. His talk, “Understanding Breast Cancer” summarized his many achievements in the field of breast cancer research and was well received by all in attendance.
The Lehigh Valley Molecular and Cell Biology Society is a new organization created by two DeSales University faculty members, Dr. Lara Goudsouzian and Dr. Joshua Slee, both Assistant Professors of Biology, to promote open communication and facilitate collaboration between faculty and undergraduate students at regional colleges and universities in Eastern Pennsylvania. Historically, there has been a lack of molecular and cell biology focused local and regional conferences that allow students to present their research and discuss science with their peers. This society seeks to fill that void with an annual poster session and keynote talk on a topic of interest to the field. The goal of LVMCBS is to promote student-driven research by providing a forum outside of their home institutions to disseminate their data or research plan while simultaneously learning how others approach scientific problems. Through LVMCBS, students will have an opportunity to present their work and interact with students and faculty from other institutions.
Questions on future events contact Lara.Goudsouzian@desales.edu or Joshua.Slee@desales.edu.