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Progress in science depends on extensive interactions among scientists, and small lively meetings are one of the most effective venues for these interactions. Keystone Symposia aims to organize the premier meetings in the life sciences by providing outstanding opportunities for scientists to share new research, to educate newcomers to the field, to establish and build relationships, and to inspire. In developing our meetings, we strive for a panel of great speakers, lively poster sessions, stimulating workshops and panel discussions, a retreat-like setting, and plenty of unstructured time for informal interactions. This promotes an environment of energetic and engaged attendees. The success of Keystone Symposia reflects its unique approach to developing and implementing meetings.
The Keystone Symposia’s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) is a major driving force for scientific quality in our meetings. Approximately 70 scientists from a variety of institutions and companies, representing many different fields, donate considerable time and effort to selecting meeting topics and organizers. This selection and peer-review process ensures top-quality meeting programs that feature cutting-edge research from investigators representing a variety of scientific perspectives.
At its January meeting, our SAB develops its own ideas for meeting topics and organizers and evaluates suggestions from ad hoc Study Groups. The Study Groups typically consist of previous Keystone Symposia attendees representing both newer and more established investigators. As the Chief Scientific Officer, I have the daunting and pleasurable task each Fall of both convening these Study Groups, which is done online or via teleconference, and reading through over 2000 meeting suggestions submitted by previous attendees. The list of suggestions is then whittled down to a few hundred for consideration by the SAB at its January meeting. At this meeting, the SAB typically selects about 60 meeting topics for development into meeting proposals and these are reviewed at the June meeting of our SAB. The June review meeting also considers additional proposals submitted through the Keystone Symposia website. In the end, 55 to 60 meeting proposals are developed into Keystone Symposia meetings.
I am proud of Keystone Symposia’s tradition and mission of connecting the scientific community and I feel very fortunate to be in a position to contribute to this mission. The responsibility for bringing you the best possible meetings in the life sciences is not taken lightly by me or our 30 staff members: we continue to enhance the excitement and value of Keystone Symposia meetings. I invite you to see, hear and discuss the latest research results; to explore the newest questions and controversies; and to connect with your scientific community by attending Keystone Symposia meetings.
Andrew (Andy) D. Robertson, PhD
Chief Scientific Officer
andyr@keystonesymposia.org
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