AACR New Orleans 2022: Caroline Smith

I was very fortunate to be invited to give a Mini-symposium podium presentation at the AACR 2022 Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA on April 10, 2022. I was able to attend this meeting in part by being awarded a GMaP Region 1 North Travel Award which is funded by the NCI, and the Office of Biomedical Education Travel Award from UK. This was the first time I have ever been asked to give a talk at a conference, and the first in-person conference I attended following the beginning of the pandemic. To say I was nervous is an understatement. Luckily, I had many people at the meeting supporting me. First, Jessi drove all the way to New Orleans to see me give this short presentation, which greatly calmed my nerves. Secondly, I was serving my final term as a member of the AACR Associate Member Council at this meeting, and multiple council members came to my talk to support me which I am very grateful for. I was able to network with many of my colleagues through AMC, meet many new faces through the various events put on by AACR for trainees. At the AMC Meet and Greet, I was honored for my three years of service on the AMC, along with my fellow council members that were rotating off. The AMC has been an amazing experience for me as I have gained skills in writing, communication, and teamwork, while meeting and working with so many wonderful scientists along the way. The Annual meeting has always been a great experience for me, but this one was by far the most fun by finally getting to see my friends and colleagues from across the world again.