Why Attend the 2009 Teratology Society Meeting?

The 49th Annual Meeting of the Teratology Society will be June 27-July 1, 2009, in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. The theme of the 2009 scientific program is “Gene-Environment Interactions: Impact on Maternal and Child Health”. The topics for discussion under this theme will range from the latest findings in basic research on the developmental basis of adult disease to the epidemiology, underlying mechanisms and management of such common problems as prematurity and maternal obesity. A joint TS, NBTS, and OTIS symposium will focus on global issues in maternal and child health. Hot topics of discussed include the use of natural herbal products during pregnancy and the role of genes and the environment in autism. Considerations of how to ensure drug safety, both during pregnancy and in children, will encompass approaches that range all the way from studies in non-human primates to computational toxicology. 

This year’s meeting format will once again be condensed to four days.  In addition, the Education Course will be offered in two parts on Saturday.  The two poster sessions will be held in the evening on Monday and Tuesday.  The meeting will conclude on Wednesday with the banquet.

The meeting will be held at the Wyndham Rio Mar Resort, set on a 500-acre tropical resort on magnificent Rio Mar Beach, located on the Northeast corner of Puerto Rico. A reduced sleeping room rate of $167 has been obtained at the Wyndham Rio Mar Resort.

The Annual Meeting provides a place and time to catch up with colleagues, make new friends, network, and indulge in discussions from philosophical to practical with established experts in the field, new researchers, and students. It is also a place and time to promote and express our scientific diversity as a Society of fellow clinicians, scientists and science policy regulators from academic, industrial, and government sectors. Emeritus members are encouraged to attend the meeting and the Education Courses.  Reduced registration rates have been established to assist you in your continued participation in the Annual Meeting.  To qualify for this rate you must be an approved Emeritus Member of the Teratology Society.

What Does the Meeting Registration Fee Cover?

The Teratology Society meeting registration fee covers a number of food and beverage functions, as well as the administrative costs for the meeting. The functions include the Banquet, breakfast, and coffee and refreshment breaks. This year, the registration fee also includes a boxed lunch on Sunday and Tuesday. We will also have a Welcome Reception on Sunday and a reception during each of the poster sessions. Take advantage of the Early Bird Registration rate by registering by February 18, 2009.

Joint Meeting Registration
Members of both the Teratology Society and NBTS or OTIS are eligible for a reduced joint registration fee. The optional joint member registration fee will allow members of both groups to register for both meetings at reduced rate via one payment. Select the joint member registration fee on the registration form or when you register on-line. The Societies will be validating the membership status of all registrants. Registrants who do not meet the membership requirements for both Societies will be responsible for paying the full fee for the separate meetings. In addition to the optional joint registration fees, the organizations have continued to include a few joint sessions in this year’s meeting. Registrants of the respective meetings are welcome to attend the joint sessions and the sessions hosted by the organization for which they are registered.

Member Registration
The member registration rate is only available to Teratology Members who have paid their dues through the current year. If you are unable to register at the member rate, it is possible that your dues payment has not been received. Please contact the Teratology Society headquarters to inquire about the status of your membership. Or if you prefer you may pay your dues on-line and register for the event in the same transaction.

Emeritus Member Registration
This year the Society is pleased to offer Emeritus Members of the Teratology Society a reduced registration fee. In order to take advantage of this reduced registration rate you must be an Emeritus Member of the Teratology Society. For more information on Emeritus Membership please contact the Teratology Society headquarters.