
The MAC welcomes you to San Antonio
The MAC welcome reception marks the commencement and celebration of Discover BMB 2024 — all attendees are encouraged to join in the festivities. This gathering serves as a perfect opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces and forge new connections within the scientific community. Hosted by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology’s Maximizing Access Committee, the event promises not only camaraderie and good food, but also a showcase of incredible research by recipients of the Graduate Student Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Travel Award.

The MAC reception traditionally provides a welcoming atmosphere where attendees can develop a sense of belonging at DiscoverBMB and within the greater ASBMB community. Fostering such an environment is central to the society’s commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion, and the welcome reception demonstrates the MAC’s dedication to creating an inclusive scientific community. The event also serve as a platform to share information about ASBMB and MAC activities and upcoming events.
Reception attendees can learn about the committee's initiatives aimed at maximizing access to scientific resources and opportunities for scientists from underrepresented groups. For example, MAC members will create and disseminate handouts providing valuable insights into being or becoming an ally to people with historically marginalized or excluded identities. This reflects the committee's broader mission of not only providing opportunities for ASBMB members but also of cultivating a culture of support and advocacy for diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion.
The 2024 MAC welcoming reception will be held Saturday, March 23, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., in the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center Exhibit Hall in San Antonio.
The evening promises to be a blend of intellectual stimulation, networking opportunities and fellowship among those in the BMB community that value and champion diversity in all its forms.
Enjoy reading ASBMB Today?
Become a member to receive the print edition four times a year and the digital edition weekly.
Learn moreFeatured jobs
from the ASBMB career center
Get the latest from ASBMB Today
Enter your email address, and we’ll send you a weekly email with recent articles, interviews and more.
Latest in Careers
Careers highlights or most popular articles

How to network effectively at the ASBMB Annual Meeting
Maximize your impact with these expert tips on starting conversations, making connections and following up effectively.

Benefits of attending a large scientific conference
Researchers have a lot of choices when it comes to conferences and symposia. A large conference like the ASBMB Annual Meeting offers myriad opportunities, such as poster sessions, top research talks, social events, workshops, vendor booths and more.

When Batman meets Poison Ivy
Jessica Desamero had learned to love science communication by the time she was challenged to explain the role of DNA secondary structure in halting cancer cell growth to an 8th-grade level audience.

Upcoming opportunities
Register for ASBMB's annual meeting and upcoming conference on ferroptosis by Feb. 18 for discounted rates.

The monopoly defined: Who holds the power of science communication?
“At the official competition, out of 12 presenters, only two were from R2 institutions, and the other 10 were from R1 institutions. And just two had distinguishable non-American accents.”

Yes, I have an accent — just like you
When the author, a native Polish speaker, presented her science as a grad student, she had to wrap her tongue around the English term “fluorescence cross-correlation microscopy.”