December 1, 2008

Dear Miller School Faculty and Staff,

I would like to personally encourage all of you who are interested in genomics and genetics research to attend the Miami Winter Symposium: “Interpreting the Human Genome” organized by the University of Miami, Nature Publishing Group, and Scripps Florida. The event will be held from January 24-28 at the Deauville Beach Resort in Miami Beach.

The human genome project has opened the doors for a new era of medicine.  Increasingly, understanding genetic susceptibility for various illnesses will become central to developing efficient strategies of prevention and treatments. With this meeting, groundbreaking research will be presented that not only promises essential cues for biology and human disorders, but also for the evolution of the human species.

Keynote speakers and awardees include Svaante Paabo (Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Germany), Craig Venter (J. Craig Venter Institute), and George Church (Harvard Medical School).

The Miller School’s Margaret Pericak-Vance, Ph.D., director of the Miami Institute for Human Genomics, will speak on genome-wide associations and disease.

Members of the University of Miami community may apply for sponsorships to cover registration costs for the symposium. Sponsorships are limited and available on a “first come, first served” basis. Sponsorship applicants who intend to submit posters will be given priority; poster submissions will be accepted until December 19. Abstracts are no longer being considered for oral presentations. All other applications for sponsorship are due January 9.

For more information, please visit:

·       Symposium website
·       Applications for sponsorship from the University
·       Conference poster

If you would like additional information please contact Dr. Jennifer McCafferty-Cepero, assistant dean for research at jmccafferty@med.miami.edu.

Pascal J. Goldschmidt, M.D.
Senior Vice President for Medical Affairs and Dean
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
CEO, UHealth