UTSA neurosci students win conference awards

By Kris Rodriguez
Public Affairs Specialist

(Jan. 23, 2008)--Three UTSA students were honored for the research they presented at the annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) in Austin.

Senior Lilly-Ann Flores and sophomore Chris Valdez were recognized for their poster presentations in neuroscience. Senior Myra Carrizales received an award for her oral presentation. The conference aims to encourage minority students to pursue advanced training in the biomedical and behavioral sciences by providing faculty mentors and advisers with resources to support student success.

Now in its seventh year, ABRCMS is the largest professional conference for biomedical and behavioral undergraduate, post-baccalaureate and graduate students. Organized by the American Society for Microbiology, the conference is supported by a grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences.

Approximately 2,500 attended the conference including 1,525 students, 513 faculty and program directors, and 426 exhibitors. During the four-day event, more than 1,100 students participated in poster and oral presentations in 10 disciplines in the biomedical and behavioral sciences. Undergraduate student presentations were judged and those receiving the highest scores in each discipline received awards during the closing banquet

Eighty-four undergraduates representing 56 U.S. universities and colleges received awards of $250 for their outstanding presentations.