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1. Research in Computational Molecular Biology 27th Annual International Conference, RECOMB 2023, Istanbul, Turkey, April 16–19, 2023, Proceedings

   Luo, Runpeng; Lin, Yu; Fan, Jason; Khan, Jamshed; Pibiri, Giulio_Ermanno; Patro, Rob; Tabatabaee, Yasamin; Roch, Sébastien; Warnow, Tandy; Chandra, Ghanshyam; et al (April 2023, Springer Cham)

   Tang, Haixu (Ed.)

   This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 27th Annual International Conference on Research in Computational Molecular Biology, RECOMB 2023, held in Istanbul, Turkey, from April 16–19, 2023. The 11 regular and 33 short papers presented in this book were carefully reviewed and selected from 188 submissions. The papers report on original research in all areas of computational molecular biology and bioinformatics. 

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2. Inclusive Innovation: Creating a Conference To Promote Diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

   https://doi.org/10.21300/21.2.2020.123  

   Rahhal, Tojan B.; Devlin, Steven L.; Loboa, Elizabeth G. (March 2020, Technology & Innovation)

   The College of Engineering at the University of Missouri, Columbia (MU Engineering) develops engineering leaders who positively influence society and bring innovation to the global workforce. Recruiting top students from around the world to fuel an atmosphere of excellence and cutting-edge growth, MU Engineering prepares out-of-the-box thinkers, innovators, and entrepreneurs who stand ready to lead today and adapt to tomorrow. To engage all of our students with industry in an inclusive space, the MU Engineering Office of Diversity and Outreach Initiatives established the Diverse Engineering Professionals Conference in 2017 in partnership with a student committee. The committee included representatives from various organizations, including the National Society of Black Engineers, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Engineering Student Council, Society of Women Engineers, and Out in STEM. Industrial sponsorships were secured with assistance from the MU Engineering Leadership, Engagement and Career Development Academy. The daylong conference recognizes diversity organizations and diverse students and their achievements while promoting our core college values of integrity, excellence, and collaboration. The conference includes professional development and diversity education workshops, research presentations, keynote speakers, and a closing ceremony. In its first year, the conference featured nine companies and attracted about 75 attendees. In year two, the conference nearly doubled its impact with 12 companies and 150 attendees, including students from all majors, years, and demographics. The conference was well received across both years and continues to grow as an annual effort in the college. Feedback from company representatives and students re-emphasized the need for an intimate company-student environment like that found at the Diverse Engineering Professionals Conference. 

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3. Impacts of a Sustainability-Focused REU Site on Student Products and Career Trajectory for Underrepresented Groups in Engineering

   Wittich, C.E.; Bartelt-Hunt, S. (June 2022, 2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition)

   This paper summarizes the overall approach and assessment of a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates Site focused on sustainable civil and environmental infrastructure in rural areas. This site has hosted over 60 students over 5 years, including 1 year of virtual participation due to travel restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Detailed discussion and results are provided with respect to the recruitment approach, including particular attention to first-generation college students, and the potential negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on first-generation applicants. This site also incorporates targeted instruction on technical writing, which occurs over several weeks throughout the first half of the summer and culminates with a final conference paper deliverable. This approach has yielded over 20 peer-reviewed journal articles, conference papers, or national conference presentations, which have been co-authored by the undergraduate student participants. External evaluation of this site has included both formative and summative assessments, including pre-program, mid-program, and post-program surveys and focus groups, which has enabled a successful continuous improvement cycle, in which cohort-building activities, technical writing deliverables, and mentor training have been gradually incorporated or enhanced. Results of this assessment have also been used to quantify the site’s success with respect to student exposure and interest in research and graduate education. In addition to most participants persisting in STEM fields, many have gone on to pursue graduate school in civil and environmental engineering and win national fellowships. 

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4. Meeting report: transposable elements at the crossroads of evolution, health and disease 2023

   https://doi.org/10.1186/s13100-023-00307-4  

   Arkhipova, Irina R; Burns, Kathleen H; Chiappinelli, Katherine B; Chuong, Edward B; Goubert, Clement; Guarné, Alba; Larracuente, Amanda M; Lee, E Alice; Levin, Henry L (December 2023, Mobile DNA)

   Abstract The conference “Transposable Elements at the Crossroads of Evolution, Health and Disease” was hosted by Keystone Symposia in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada, on September 3–6, 2023, and was organized by Kathleen Burns, Harmit Malik and Irina Arkhipova. The central theme of the meeting was the incredible diversity of ways in which transposable elements (TEs) interact with the host, from disrupting the existing genes and pathways to creating novel gene products and expression patterns, enhancing the repertoire of host functions, and ultimately driving host evolution. The meeting was organized into six plenary sessions and two afternoon workshops with a total of 50 invited and contributed talks, two poster sessions, and a career roundtable. The topics ranged from TE roles in normal and pathological processes to restricting and harnessing TE activity based on mechanistic insights gained from genetic, structural, and biochemical studies. 

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5. Engaging undergraduate students in computational chemistry research: A tutorial for new assistant professors

   https://doi.org/10.1002/qua.26341  

   Ball, K. Aurelia; He, Kedan; Hendrickson, Heidi P. (June 2020, International Journal of Quantum Chemistry)

   Abstract In this article, we provide advice and insights, based on our own experiences, for computational chemists who are beginning new tenure‐track positions at primarily undergraduate institutions. Each of us followed different routes to obtain our tenure‐track positions, but we all experienced similar challenges when getting started in our new position. In this article, we discuss our approaches to seven areas that we all found important for engaging undergraduate students in our computational chemistry research, including setting up computational resources, recruiting research students, training research students, designing student projects, managing the lab, mentoring students, and student conference participation. 

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