Abstract Decisions, Redesigned SSR Meetings Page, Tourisme Montréal Microsite, Schedule Change

Abstract Decisions Announced

If you submitted an abstract to SSR 2013 this winter, then a decision notification e-mail was sent to you on Thursday the 28th or Friday the 29th of March. If you did not receive a message, please contact the SSR Business Office at ssr-am@ssr.org.

Presentation notifications are expected to be distributed in mid- to late-April 2013.

Redesigned SSR Meetings Page

Have you seen the redesigned SSR Meetings page? Tell us what you think!

Tourisme Montréal: SSR 2013 Microsite

Tourisme Montréal has developed an SSR 2013-specific website at http://ssr.alamontreal.com that includes a calendar of events and a discount coupon book (click on the "Exclusive Offers" tab). Take a look!

Schedule Changes

A title has been provided for the following scientific session:

• Gametes Session 4. Gamete Function in Fertilization.
            Invited Talk. Betsy Navarro, Ph.D. (Harvard Medical School, Boston,
            Massachusetts). Progress in CatSper, the Spermatozoan-Specific
            Calcium Channel.

LAC Welcome, Burroughs Wellcome Applications, Heritage Luncheon, Diversity Activities

Welcome from the 2013 Local Arrangements Committee

Montréal is a thoroughly international and multilingual city that celebrates the summer with festivals and activities for everyone.

This meeting will boast two tourism web sites: one by Tourisme Montréal (under development) and one by the Local Arrangements Committee (LAC; http://www.ssr2013.com). An initiative of Géraldine Delbès, the LAC site provides our personal perspectives on the multiple attractions in and about Montréal. You'll find blogs about the local terrain, points of interest, getting around town, our favorite restaurants, and, of course, tips on how to enjoy Montréal's renowned nightlife.

The meeting overlaps with Montréal's famous comedy festival, Just for Laughs, with comedy clubs, comedy shows, and street performers all near the Palais. And the weather is glorious in July; sun all day and shirt-sleeve evenings.

We promise an exciting meeting and a unique cultural experience for SSR 2013!

—Bruce Murphy and Hugh Clarke, Co-Chairs

Burroughs Wellcome Travel Fellowship Applications

Applications are now available for 2013 Burroughs Wellcome Travel Fellowships for underrepresented minority trainees and junior faculty from the U.S. or Canada. Please visit the Travel Fellowships page for eligibility details and to download an application. The deadline is 10 May 2013.

Heritage Luncheon 

The SSR Heritage Committee is hosting a luncheon and talk honoring Professor Alfred Jost, who is recognized as the father of modern fetal endocrinology and his discovery of the Müllerian inhibitor (now known as anti-Müllerian hormone [AMH] or Müllerian-inhibiting substance). The presentation will be delivered by Dr. Nathalie Josso (Institut Paris-Sud sur les Cytokines, INSERM, Clamart, France), who was a student with Dr. Jost and participated in his pioneer work. Please see the Special Events page for session rates.

Diversity Activities

The Minority Affairs/Diversity Committee organizes several events during the SSR meeting, including:

• Travel Awards and Fellowships for Underrepresented Trainees and Junior Faculty
• Lunch Symposium and Reception
• Exhibit Booth