Celebrating the Inspired and Inspiring Testis Biology- The XXVII North American Testis Workshop - Project Summary This R13 application requests funds to support the XXVII North American Testis Workshop with a thematic focus on “Celebrating the Inspiring and Inspired Testis Biology”, which will be held on May 2-5, 2024, at the Embassy Suites Denver, in Denver, Colorado. The meeting will be held immediately after the American Society of Andrology annual meeting, which will take place on April 19 – 2 May at the same location. Since 1972, the North American Testis Workshop has been the premier 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 help defray travel costs for 10 trainees or young investigators 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 the 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 relationships, 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.
