Young Researcher Symposium Prepares Young Scientists for the Future

The third annual YRS event showcased groundbreaking research from students and postdocs and helped them network and collaborate across disciplines

December 15, 2014

On Nov. 20, 2014, more than 100 of Brookhaven Lab’s rising scientists gathered to share their latest work and get feedback and advice from their colleagues. The third annual Young Researcher Symposium linked cutting-edge scientific exploration with professional networking and new opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.

“This event was an unqualified success and showcased a huge range of research, from ecology to battery tech to nuclear physics,” said Brookhaven Lab physicist Christina Swinson, one of the event’s organizers. “We had a great turnout from our young scientists, and I’m grateful to the larger Brookhaven community for attending and supporting the future of their fields.”

The event included poster sessions, oral presentations, and a career panel with leading scientists from Brookhaven Lab, the NY Academy of Sciences, the Pratt Institute, and the U.S. Department of Energy. Attendees also heard invited talks from Brookhaven scientists Robert Tribble, deputy director for Science and Technology, and Alistair Rogers, leader of the Terrestrial Ecosystem Science & Technology (TEST) group. Martin Schoonen, associate laboratory director for Environment, Biology, Nuclear Science, and Nonproliferation, gave closing remarks and presented awards for the best posters and oral presentations.

“This event was very valuable to young scientists who are preparing for a career in research and development,” Schoonen said. “The career panel provided graduate and postdoctoral researchers a chance to see very different but equally compelling opportunities for those of us trained in the sciences. The Young Researcher Symposium is a growing and important part of how Brookhaven Lab prepares students and postdocs for the future.  It also allows for networking among the vibrant young research community at BNL. ”

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