American Society of Hematology sponsors high school symposium at San Diego annual meeting

Experts arrive early to inspire area high school students and encourage interest in biological sciences

In its ninth year, the symposium provides high school students and teachers with a unique opportunity to learn from specialists in science and medicine in an interactive forum. During the program, participants attend four sessions: two hands-on exhibit sessions and two lecture sessions, which consist of presentations, question and answer time, and informal small group discussions. This year, Renate Pilz, M.D., of the University of California - San Diego, will speak on the subject of bone marrow stem cells and leukemias, and Michael Bender, M.D., of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, will discuss sickle cell disease. At their booths, exhibiting organizations Chrono-log, Amgen, Wyeth Oncology, OrthoBiotech, The Scripps Research Institute, and IMPATH will feature interactive displays, experiments, and hands-on projects.

For the second year in a row, ASH is sponsoring a poster and essay contest to encourage innovation among students. Competing high school teams will conduct research on symposium topics and showcase their collective methods and findings. Presentations are judged based on information accuracy, the amount of information presented, and the level of creativity involved. Cash prizes are awarded for the top four posters. "Last year's poster and essay contest proved to be a great success," said Beverly Torok-Storb, Ph.D., of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. "Not only did the contest encourage interaction between experts and students, it also forced students to bring their scientific ideas to life and think critically about current issues in a proactive manner."

The American Society of Hematology's 45th Annual Meeting, to be held December 6-9, 2003, at the San Diego Convention Center, provides hematologists from around the world a forum for discussing critical issues in hematology. Nearly 20,000 clinicians, scientists, and others attend the four-day meeting, which consists of a superb educational program and cutting-edge scientific sessions. For more information, please visit www.hematology.org/meetings.

The American Society of Hematology (ASH), founded in 1958, works to further the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders affecting the blood, bone marrow, and the immunologic, hemostatic and vascular systems, by promoting research, clinical care, education, training, and advocacy in hematology.

For more information about ASH, call (202) 776-0544, or visit www.hematology.org.

The American Society of Hematology is the world's largest professional society concerned with the causes and treatment of blood disorders. Its mission is to further the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders affecting blood, bone marrow, and the immunologic, hemostatic, and vascular systems, by promoting research, clinical care, education, training, and advocacy in hematology.