International Weed Genomics Consortium (IWGC) Annual Meeting: Linking Genomics to Improved Management

Jan. 29-30, 2023

Crystal Gateway Marriott
1700 Richmond Highway Arlington, Virginia 22202

Overview
Join us for the International Weed Genomics Consortium (IWGC) Annual Meeting: Linking Genomics to Improved Management conference, January 29-30, 2023, where world-leading expertise in weed genomics, resistance evolution, weed biology, bioinformatics, and data science will convene. The conference will begin a day and a half before the Weed Science Society of America’s (WSSA) annual meeting in Arlington, Virginia, on January 29-30 and run until WSSA begins. This event will be pivotal as genomics resources for weed species are limited and not housed in an easily accessible repository, and while genomic information is available for a few weed species, it's not usable to those new to weed genomics. There is often a steep learning curve not only with the biological aspects of the field, but primarily with the computer science and computational tools necessary to conduct such research.

This event is designed to provide resources, tools, and training to those who wish to expand their research efforts into the field of weed genomics. With a goal of both synergizing ongoing efforts and increasing the number of scientists that are engaged in this exciting new frontier, we look forward to lots of great learning opportunities at this unique event.

The overall mission of this weed genomics conference is to provide the opportunity for: 

1. a detailed review of current research in weed genomics
2. discussion and collaboration among attendees
3. training in analyzing genomic data
4. discussion groups to identify pathways through which genomic data can stimulate global research, generate novel solutions, and provide insights for weed management into the future

Leave the conference with a newfound excitement for the opportunity to work with weeds to answer fundamental questions about evolution of adaptive traits in plants.

Overall Event Structure
This event will have two concordant sessions:

• The first session will bring together experts in plant and weed genomics to discuss state of the art techniques in plant genomics and the future of studying adaptation in weedy species. This session is designed to appeal to a broad array of weed and non-weed scientists, especially those who are interested in starting work with the IWGC. There is no cap on attendees for this session.*

• The second session will be a smaller, hands-on, computational training on key aspects of genomics will be done to graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and early career scientists new to the field, expanding the pool of scientists working in weed genomics. This session is reserved for early career scientists and is limited to 30 attendees.*

Cost - Free

Due to the ongoing support from the USDA, there is no cost to attend the International Weed Genomics Consortium (IWGC) Annual Meeting: Linking genomics to improved management. However, registration is required.

Tentative Agenda - Subject to Change

Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023

4 – 6 p.m.                  Poster Session

6:30 – 8 p.m.             Reception

Monday, Jan. 30, 2023

7 – 8 a.m.                Breakfast

8 – 8:30 a.m.            Introduction and Recognition of Grant Agencies and Sponsors

8:30 – 10:30 a.m.     Session 1: Keynote Speakers - Lessons from outside weed genomics

10:30 – 11 a.m.        Break

11 a.m. – 12 p.m.     Session 2: Invited Talks

12 – 1 p.m.              Lunch with Posters revisited

1 – 2:30 p.m.           Session 3: IWGC Updates

2 – 3 p.m.                Break

3 – 4 p.m.                Session 4: Invited Speaker Panel Discussion

4 p.m.                      Conference concludes

Call for Posters

There will be a reception and poster session on the evening of the January 29 to welcome participants and begin scientific discussion in the topic of weed genomes. During the registration process, anyone interested in bringing a poster will be able to submit the poster title and abstract for consideration.