2014 GCMAS Annual Conference
 

Student participation is an integral part of the GCMAS annual meeting. We enthusiastically invite students and postdoctoral trainees to take advantage of the following opportunities.

Student Symposium

On Tuesday 6/24, the GCMAS will host its third annual Student Symposium. Because the Career Symposium will be offered separately this year, the student symposium will focus on addressing topics directly affecting graduate students, post-docs, and trainees.

The symposium will consist of stations set up for round table discussion. Moderators at each table will be experienced mentors familiar with the topic being explored. These mentors will begin with a very short presentation to highlight important points, then attendees will be invited to ask any questions. The emphasis will be on discussion and the sharing of experience and advice. This will also be a time to get to know other students in GCMAS.

Please be sure to RSVP for this exciting symposium while completing your conference registration. The moderators and topics are listed below.

Freeman Miller, MD
Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children
Topic: "A clinician's view of the research process”

Steve Piazza, PhD
Associate Professor of Kinesiology, Penn State University
Topic: "Pitching your research: writing and presentation strategies"

Peter Quesada, PhD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering, University of Louisville
Topic: "The things graduate school never taught you about being a faculty member"

Adam Rozumalski, MS
Gait Lab Engineer, Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare
Topic: "Teamwork and navigating a laboratory environment"

Katherine Steele, PhD
Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington
Topic: "Personal prototyping: setting yourself up for life after graduate school"

Tishya Wren, PhD
Associate Professor and Director of Research, Motion Analysis Laboratory, Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Topic: "Developing successful cross-disciplinary collaborations"

 

Student Mentorship Program

Since 2009, the GCMAS Education Committee has organized a mentorship program in which student mentees are matched with a volunteer mentor based on mutual research interests and the student’s desired career path. The goal of this program is to facilitate dialog among students and professionals in a supportive manner, where knowledge, skills, and experiences are shared, and where networking relationships are cultivated. Typically, mentors and mentees meet over lunch or during a scheduled break at the annual meeting.

Individuals who would like to participate in this program at the 2014 Meeting are encouraged to contact Student Representative Rachel Lenhart (rlenhart@wisc.edu or 502-744-9568) with the following information:

  • Name and institution
  • Preferred contact information (mailing address, email address, phone, etc.)
  • Are you a potential mentor, or mentee?
  • What are your primary research interests? (brief summary)
  • What is your current role, and what are your professional goals?

The GCMAS Education Council will attempt to match each mentee with an appropriate mentor. Notification of mentor/mentee matches will be sent in May 2013. Following notification, it is the mentee’s responsibility to contact his/her assigned mentor. More details on the Student Mentorship Program will be sent to students who register for the conference.

Student Travel Scholarship Program

Travel Scholarships will again be available to student members of GCMAS who present their research at the annual meeting. This program is made possible through the generosity of the GCMAS membership and our sponsors. Applications will be reviewed by the GCMAS Education Council. Recipients will be selected based on their demonstrated potential to advance scientific knowledge, technical capabilities, and/or clinical practice in the field of human movement.

To apply for a 2014 Travel Scholarship, please download and submit the Student Travel Scholarship Application. The deadline for submission is April 1, 2014 at 11:59 pm EST.

Questions regarding the Student Travel Scholarship Application should be directed to Adam Rozumalski (GCMAS Education Council Chair; arozumalski@gillettechildrens.com).

Kevin Granata Young Investigator Award

The Kevin Granata Young Investigator Award is given to the student or postdoctoral trainee who gives the most outstanding oral presentation at the 2014 Meeting (as judged by the Awards Council). This award for young investigators includes with a certificate and travel funds to be used by the recipient to attend the following year’s meeting. All students and postdoctoral trainees who are members of GCMAS are eligible, and will be automatically considered for this award based on their participation at the 2014 Meeting.

Student Membership in GCMAS

The annual fee for Student and Trainee membership in GCMAS is $10. Students must be members of GCMAS to be considered for the Travel Scholarship Program and the Kevin Granata Young Investigator Award. Members receive society newsletters, discounted registration fees, and reduced subscription rates to Gait & Posture. Student members also have access to the student section of the GCMAS website, which contains information about graduate programs and tips for career development. Additional information on student membership is available at www.gcmas.org/membership. Membership signup is also available on this website at the time of conference registration.

Student Roommate Finder

Students that are interested in locating a roommate to share a hotel room should contact Rachel Lenhart (GCMAS Student Representative; rlenhart@wisc.edu) before April 1, 2014. Please provide the following information:
  • Your name and gender
  • Email address and phone number
  • Planned arrival date and departure dates in Newark
  • Roommate preferences:
  • Contact information for a faculty advisor who can serve as a personal reference.

In early April, we will provide you with a list of potential roommates. Once you have received information regarding potential roommates, it will be your responsibility to establish contact and make hotel arrangements.

PLEASE NOTE: The Student Roommate Finder service is provided by GCMAS as a service to students and trainees attending the annual conference. GCMAS assumes no responsibility for communications which arise from this service. GCMAS also assumes no financial responsibility for any arrangements made through this service. GCMAS cannot verify the accuracy of any contact information acquired through this service, and takes no responsibility for screening or matching prospective roommates. GCMAS encourages you to make arrangements with conference attendees you know personally, or whose identities can be verified by third parties.

Updates on Facebook and Twitter

Updates on the 2014 conference and activities in Delaware will be posted on Facebook (www.facebook.com/gcmas) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/gcmas). Follow along!

Student Representative

The student representative to the GCMAS Board of Directors is Rachel Lenhart from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Contact Rachel with ideas, questions, or comments at rlenhart@wisc.edu.