Dear Faculty,

In what has become an annual highlight of the new year, our medical students are again traveling to Carmel, California, to present research findings at the Western Regional Meeting of the American Federation for Medical Research.

The meeting is held this year from Wednesday, January 27, through Saturday, January 30. The size of this year's delegation -- 57 students representing all four classes -- reflects faculty commitment to foster medical student interest in research.

The range of biomedical questions our students have explored is impressive, with topics extending from molecular biology to health services studies. I plan to attend the meeting to hear some of the students' presentations and to share in their enthusiasm as new researchers.

Many of us were fortunate early in our careers to have had mentors who were attentive to our initial research efforts. Anyone who, in the midst of a presentation at a scientific or professional society meeting, has looked up from the podium and recognized a valued teacher in the audience might understand the power of such encouragement.

I hope that those of you whose schedules allow will join me in Carmel to attend some part of the meeting. This demonstrates our support, through our presence, for our student researchers. The list of UW medical student presenters, their topics, and details on registering for the Carmel meeting are available from Ms. Suzanne Johnson in the curriculum office.

The efforts of faculty members who take advantage of times when they can be with students at important events help to make our medical school truly a community of scholars.

Paul Ramsey, M.D.
Vice President for Medical Affairs
And Dean of the School of Medicine