Attendance at Utah State University’s Hansen Life Sciences Retreat has grown each year, but the annual gathering Oct. 25-26, in its 14th year, has some regulars.
“I really like the atmosphere,” said Max McDermott, a biology doctoral student at USU. He has been attending the retreat for several years, and at the 2024 gathering, he presented research he is conducting on opioid receptors in the brain in faculty mentor Erin Bobek’s lab.
“Each time I attend a Hansen retreat, I make new contacts with researchers in labs on nearby campuses that I know nothing about, studying topics that apply to my research. Sharing ideas across disciplines is extremely valuable and exciting,” McDermott said.
Justin Jones, director of the USU Synthetic Spider Silk Lab, encourages students to attend the retreat and present posters and talks.
“This is a cutting-edge, low-pressure, friendly environment where students can share their ideas,” says Jones, an assistant professor in the USU Department of Biology. “It’s a great place for students to gain presentation experience and confidence.”
Jones says the retreat is also an ideal place to foster partnerships.
“This retreat provides an easy way to build local collaboration, which is a huge boost,” he says. “Each time I attend a retreat, I get to know other researchers who our lab benefits from. Without it, we won’t always be able to get to know each other.”
USU’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry initiates and coordinates fall meetings. The event is named for R. Garth Hansen (1920-2002), a prominent biochemist, professor, and USU administrator. Hansen’s 26-year tenure at Utah State University significantly advanced the university and its research efforts. Mr. Hansen’s son, USU alumnus and Nobel Prize winner Lars Peter Hansen (BS’74), his wife Grace Sian, and their son Peter Hansen, all of whom attended the 2024 retreat. ) provides financial support for the annual general meeting.
Hansen, a leading expert on economic dynamics and the David Rockefeller Distinguished Professor at the University of Chicago, said in a welcome statement at the retreat’s opening that it was a “great honor” to attend the retreat and represent his family’s legacy. ”.
“My family’s roots are deep in Cache Valley,” he said. “My father, R. Garth Hansen, and my mother, Anna Lou Reese Hansen, were both deeply committed to Utah State University. My father served the state of Utah as a biochemist, researcher, and president. , understood the importance of nurturing and encouraging young scholars.”
More than 100 undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty members from across USU attended the day-and-a-half assembly, which featured four oral research presentations by graduate students and 24 poster presentations by graduate and undergraduate students. Ta. The retreat also featured lightning-fast presentations, with student poster presenters each giving a two-minute talk about their research projects. Janet Iwasa, a biochemist and data visualization expert at the University of Utah, gave Friday night’s keynote, “Animating Molecular Machines.”
The featured graduate student presenter was Mark Gold of Biochemistry at the Johnson Institute. Sam Barker, Biochemistry, Dickenson Institute. Max McDermott, Biology, Bobek Institute. Christine Durant, Biology, Jones Institute
Students recognized for their outstanding lightning pitches were Edna Ulmer, Hannah Finesilver, Vincent Rossi, and Dillon Weatherston, with Weatherston receiving a Lightning Talk Travel Trophy Lamp.
Students who received awards for outstanding poster presentations were Weatherston, Kadyn Crosby, and Makenzie Reed.
Anna Petersen, staff assistant in the Department of Chemical and Biochemistry, has compiled a collection of familiar Happy Birthday to You melodies from various genres in honor of Lars Peter Hansen, who celebrated his birthday during the retreat. He composed the “Birthday Suite” and performed it on the piano.
“This retreat was designed to honor the legacy of R. Goth Hansen, and we are proud to be doing this,” said Lance, chair and professor of USU’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Seefeld said. “He had a passion for biochemistry and life sciences and the education of young scientists. This retreat has a well-balanced presentation that feels both uplifting and professional. It’s authentic.”
