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International Congress of
Physiological Sciences
Geri Swindle, FASEB, OSMC, Bethesda, MD
March 31-April 5, 2005
San Diego, CA
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The XXXV International
Congress of Physiological Sciences was held in San Diego in 2005 as a joint
meeting with the annual meeting of Experimental Biology, a multi-society
interdisciplinary, scientific meeting with an attendance of over 14,000
scientists. Although the planning process for any annual meeting is complex,
an international congress requires three to four years of preparation under
the auspices of an international body. Organization for this Congress was
particularly challenging since it would be held as part of a larger meeting
that had already been booked in San Diego. In addition to renegotiating
contracts with the convention center and hotels to accommodate the increased
attendance and space requirements it was necessary to plan a “congress
within a meeting.” It was also essential that the identity of the Congress
not get lost in the large Experimental Biology Meeting. To accomplish this,
the Congress was promoted as a joint meeting with Experimental Biology.
Scientific session rooms, poster area and an exhibit area were set aside and
identified with signage specifically for the Congress.
The International Congress of Physiological Sciences was developed to
ensure that participants had an educational forum for the exchange of
scientific information, to learn of recent advances in both broad and
specialized areas, and to make personal contact with scientists from all
over the world. There were many detailed steps that needed to be completed
and decisions made to assure the success of the Congress. These required the
utilization of specialized systems, tools, techniques, and the dedication of
the staff members of the American Physiological Society and the FASEB
Departments. The offices worked together to develop a timeline and budget
for the Congress as well as contracting and finalizing all logistical
arrangements for oral and poster presentations, exhibits, registration, and
accommodations.
Complete advance information was provided to participants about the Congress
activities and deadline dates, submission of abstracts, payment of
registration fees, hotel reservations, visa regulations for entry into the
country, transportation from airports, exchange of currency, location and
hours of registration and other details to ensure the success of the
Congress.
As plans for the Congress were being finalized, it came to our attention
that there was a strong possibility that animal rights activists would
attempt to disrupt the meeting specifically targeting the IUPS. Since they
often use tactics that involve intimidation, harassment, property damage and
physical attack a plan to deal with a disruption was developed. The
convention center, hotels, and all participants were notified of the
potential for demonstrations and given suggestions on how to avoid conflict.
Additional security was provided both outside and inside the convention
center.
In addition to a superb scientific program, the social activities were an
integral part of the Congress schedule and provided a total experience
combining professional and personal interests for all those who attended.
The social program included:
Opening Ceremony
The evening session opened with the presentation of colors by the University
of San Diego ROTC. Greetings were provided to Congress attendees by the
Chair, IUPS 2005 National Organizing Committee, President of the American
Physiological Society, and the President of the International Union of
Physiological Sciences. Following the opening welcome, Peter Agre, 2003
Nobel Laureate presented the Wallace O. Fenn Lecture. A dinner reception
followed the Fenn Lecture on the San Diego Convention Center Terrace
overlooking San Diego Harbor.
Beach Party
The IUPS Beach Party featured typical Southern California beach music and
games, a picnic that included hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken and more. The
grand finale was a magnificent fire works display.
Closing Ceremony
IUPS participants enjoyed a very memorable evening. A reception and dinner
was held at the Convention Center following the final session of the
Congress. Participants were then transported to the Copley Symphony Hall for
the transfer of the IUPS flag from the United States to Japan, the 2009 host
country. Following the flag ceremony, the San Diego Chamber Orchestra with
Maestro Nuvi Mehta performed the works of Samuel Barber, Aaron Copland and
Hector Rasgado-Flores. In commemoration of the XXXV International Congress
of Physiological Sciences in the United States, the American Physiological
Society (APS) commissioned Hector Rasgado-Flores, Ph.D. to compose a
symphonic suite entitled “Body Notes” which describes some aspects of human
physiology. The piece is entirely original, is written for a full orchestra
and had its world premiere during the closing ceremony of the International
Congress.
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| The Mar Dels entertain at
the IUPS Beach Party. |
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