The XXVIth North American Testis Workshop - Project Summary
This R13 application requests funds to support the XXVIth North American Testis Workshop with
a thematic focus on “New Horizons in Testis Biology and Men's Health”, which will be held on
April 21-24, 2021 at the Estancia La Jolla Hotel in San Diego, California. The meeting will be held
right prior to the American Society of Andrology annual meeting, which will take place on April 24-
28 at the same location. Since 1972, the North American Testis Workshop has been the premiere
international forum for basic and clinician-scientists to present and discuss their recent findings
on testis regulation and function. It attracts 150-200 attendees from North America and around
the world, approximately 30% of whom are trainees. The requested R13 funds will be used to
help defray travel costs for 10 trainees or young investigators who are selected for short talks
from submitted abstracts, and part of the housing costs for the 19 invited speakers. The main
goals for the Workshop are as follows: 1) to provide a platform for dissemination and discussion
of new discoveries on testis biology, especially novel data obtained using the latest genomic,
epigenomic and single cell technologies. 2) to create opportunities for scientific exchange and
collaborations among peers to foster career growth and to ensure continued advance of the field
of testis biology. 3) To offer a forum for trainees (fellows, post-docs and graduate students) and
junior investigators (within three years of independence) to present their research, receive
feedback from senior investigators, and build professional relationship, all of which are known
critical for both intellectual and academic growth. 4) To encourage the participation of women and
underrepresented groups, including faculty and trainees of racial and ethnic minorities, and
people with disabilities, in this workshop to foster their intellectual and academic growth by
providing them with opportunities to present their work, receive feedback from peers, and build
professional networks.