Recipient Organization
MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIV
(N/A)
MISSISSIPPI STATE,MS 39762
Performing Department
Animal & Dairy Science
Non Technical Summary
There is a lack of fundamental knowledge of regulatory mechanisms of fertility, which is the most critical factor controlling livestock reproduction and is mostly influenced by environmental, management and epigenetic factors. There is also a lack of transfer of proven biotechnologies for livestock production throughout in the global scale. The lack of knowledge and technology transfer is a major problem because it is limiting advances in animal science and technology from producing healthy animals and yielding wholesome food. The objectives of this conference proposal are to bring together quality scientists from diverse aspects of animal andrology to share their knowledge, discuss future directions of this rising field, and to empower the participants at the 12th Biennial Conference of the Association for Applied Animal Andrology in Bologna, Italy, June 26-28, 2020, and to publish the conference proceedings. The program includes plenary speakers from across the world, platform and poster presentations, student merit awards, and social events. Expected outcomes are a valuable platformfor andrology researchers from across the world and expertise areas, empowerment of the participants with the cutting-edge tools and resources for their andrology research, and the establishment or strengthening of research collaborations in basic and applied research. Intellectual merit and broader impacts are high because the conference will advance andrology, and improve animal production and product quality, and workforce training.
Animal Health Component
25%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
75%
Applied
25%
Developmental
0%
Goals / Objectives
This NIFA grant is aimed at supporting the biennial conference of the Association for Applied Animal Andrology [AAAA]. The conference will provide an exchange of knowledge and techniques among scientists from more than 20 countries using diverse model organisms and will help enhance the production of new knowledge in the functional genome and epigenome of sperm, mammalian reproduction, and development in a global scale. The proposed conference is significant because the expected outcomes include the empowerment of researchers including graduate students and postdocs with the most current results in the field of andrology. This will be accomplished through the long-term goals of the conference by pursuing the following specific objectives:Objective 1: Bring together quality scientists in diverse aspects of animal andrology to share their knowledge and discuss future directions in the field of andrology. Objective 2: Empower the participants with knowledge and merit awards to four student presenters and honorary awards to two esteemed andrologists. Objective 3: Provide a high-quality resource with the publication of the Proceedings in the peer-reviewed journal Animal Reproduction Science. Objective 4: Encourage collaborative research efforts by AAAA participants. Objective 5: Provide the opportunity for scientists and students from US Land Grant and private universities and private industry; to gain up-to-date scientific and practical knowledge that will maximize their ability to then assist current agricultural clients/students to maximize profits and/or to gain insight for further research with the goal to maximize US agriculture.
Project Methods
Effort: The biennial meeting of the AAAA which is unique. Unlike other meetings and associations, the focus is on applied animal andrology, specifically in species that have utilitarian and/or economic interest for mankind. The applied aspect is key to improving animal reproduction through the application of the new knowledge and transfer of proven technologies.The conference includes invited plenary papers, short oral presentations, a student competition involving the presentation of oral and poster presentations, and poster presentations. In addition, representatives from major commercial organizations will have exhibits of their up-to-date equipment and supplies relative to the field of andrology In addition, ample time/opportunity for participant interaction is a significant part of the program. This provides an additional important opportunity for all participants to share their knowledge and especially for students to interact with leading scientists/andrologists.Evaluation: At the conclusion of the conference, a conference evaluation form will be distributed to all participants. This will provide important feedback information about the conference, and especially important for members of the Association to use when planning the next conference. This form will include evaluation of the individual speakers, including presentation and interest for their topic, evaluation of the venue, including provided meals, and location, evaluation of the program in general, e.g. number of speakers, topics, number of oral and poster presentations, number and quality of students in the competition, and suggestions for topics/ speakers for the next conference.