January 8-12, 2018, Bellairs, Barbados
Organizers: Nada Jabado, Mathieu Lupien and Guillaume Bourque
Focus
This is the 4th meeting in an annual series on topics in functional genomics that will take place at McGill’s research institute on the Caribbean island of Barbados, on January 8-12, 2017. This will be an intimate workshop that will bring together approximately 30 epigeneticists, cancer biologists, and bioinformatics researchers working in the field of cancer epigenetics. In addition to inviting each participant to present their own work, participants will be invited to take part in discussions on a variety of topics that pertain to this area of research.
Format and schedule
The workshop schedule is designed to leave ample time for discussion and collaborative work. Each participant will be assigned a 90-minute time slot, which could typically include a 60-minute talk followed by 30 minutes of discussions. Talks and discussions will take place in the mornings and evenings, leaving the afternoons free for small workgroups, touring the island, or just enjoying the beach and the ocean. Although the workshop will start on Jan 8th, we recommend that you arrive on the 7th (you can come as early as the 5th if you would like). The workshop will end at noon on Jan 12th.
Activities
Although the goal of the workshop is obviously to get collaborative research done, we will also have time for leisure. The usual schedule is to have presentations and discussions in the morning (9:00-12:00) and evening (7:00-10:00+), but to leave the afternoons free for other activities. The Institute is located right on a quiet beach, excellent for sun bathing, snorkeling and scuba diving, wind surfing, etc., or just to work on projects with a bunch of good friends and a glass of Bajan Rum Punch. The island also has nice hiking trails, golf courses and surfing areas, all within one hour of (cheap) taxi or thrilling but convenient public transportation.
Location and accommodation
The Bellairs Research Institute is a owned by McGill University and used during the summer by marine biologists. The Institute has space for about 35 people and offers relatively basic amenities. This is not a 5-star hotel! Most people will share a room with one other person. The rooms are clean and safe but have no phone or tv (but US cell phones work). The institute is equipped with fairly fast and reliable wireless connection, as well as with desktop few computers. Presentations and discussions usually take place either outdoors or in a air-conditioned conference room. The dinner is prepared by an excellent local chef, while we usually have lunch at one of a few local restaurants. See this additional information about The Bellairs Research Institute. People interested in other types of accommodation (e.g. hotel with more or better services) should contact Guillaume.
Fees
There are no registration fees. The cost of a room for the entire week is approximately 42-50 USD/ day (depending on the type of room). Our cook prepares breakfast and dinners (approx. 30 USD daily); we typically have lunch at restaurants on the beach (approx. 20 USD daily).
Travel information
There are direct and affordable flights to Barbados from many canadian, american, and european cities. Once at the airport, Bellairs is easily reached by taxi, following these instructions. If possible, you should aim to arrive on Jan 1st in the afternoon or evening, and plan to leave on the evening of January 6th. Shorter stays are possible but you should discuss with the organizers. Barbados is one of the richest islands of the Caribbean, and also one of the safest. English is the main language (although it is no longer a British Dominion) and the population is helpful and friendly. Credit cards and travelers checks are accepted. Precise traveling instructions will be sent to the participants later.
Confirmed list of speakers
Cheryl Arrowsmith (U. of Toronto)
Emily Bernstein (Mount Sinai)
Daniel de Carvalho (U. of Toronto)
Yali Dou (U. of Michigan)
Ben Garcia (U. Penn)
Hansen He (U. of Toronto)
Michael Hoffman (U. of Toronto)
Martin Hirst (U. British Columbia)
Claudia Kleinman (McGill U.)
Jason Locasale (Duke U.)
Jacek Majewski (McGill U.)
Christopher Oakes (Ohio State U.)
Peter Scacheri (Case Western Reserve U.)
Kathryn E. Wellen (U. Penn)
Nada Jabado (McGill U.)
Mathieu Lupien (U. of Toronto)
Guillaume Bourque (McGill U.)
Previous meetings
Acknowledgements
The format for this meeting and the website were heavily inspired by a very successful series of workshops organized at Bellairs by Mike Hallett and Mathieu Blanchette.
