2023 PRS Annual Meeting

“Role of the Intrauterine Environment in Shaping Neurodevelopment”

Sept 29 – Oct 1, 2023 | Park City, Utah

Sept 29 to Oct 1 at Grand Summit Hotel, Park City, Utah

Join us for the 53rd Annual Meeting of the Perinatal Research Society September 29 –October 1 in Park City, Utah. Featuring the theme, “Role of Intrauterine Environment in Shaping Neurodevelopment,” invited internationally renown speakers will present their research and lead discussions on this timely topic.

PRS 2023 President, Sonnet Jonker, PhD, said, “These distinguished speakers will be presenting cutting-edge research on factors that affect the developing fetus and newborn, particularly in regard to neurodevelopment. I’m excited that we’re gathering in the beautiful mountains of Utah, a great place to meet with colleagues – old and new – who are passionate about perinatal research.”

The breathtaking Rocky Mountains are the backdrop in 2023, when the meeting travels up to the lively resort area of the Canyons at Park City, Utah. Located just five miles northwest of Park City and 7000 feet in elevation, the planned in-person event will gather for outstanding presentations, collegial gatherings, and insightful scientific discussions in the midst of breathtaking vistas.

The PRS meeting is a favorite among attendees because it is an intentionally smaller meeting that facilitates communication between perinatal researchers at all stages of their careers. Future productive collaborations and scientific projects are often formed during these three days.

Welcome from the President

Greetings!

The Council and I want to welcome PRS members, guests and speakers to the upcoming 53rd Annual Meeting of the Perinatal Research Society as we look forward to gathering in Park City, Utah, September 29 –October 1.

The theme for the 2023 meeting is “The Role of the Intrauterine Environment in Shaping Neurodevelopment.”   Our invited speakers will bring a wide array of outstanding presentations that will provide further understanding of the many factors that shape neurodevelopment of the fetus and newborn. You won’t want to miss it.

PRS President 2023
Sonnet Jonker, PhD
PRS President

The opening speaker for the Friday evening session will be Charles Roselli, PhD, Professor, Department of Chemical Physiology and Chemical Biology at Oregon Health and Science University. His presentation titled “Programmed for Preference: The Fetal Origins of Same-Sex Attraction in Rams” offers new insights into the fundamental processes by which prenatal gonadal steroids program sex differences in the brain and behavior.

Since the inception of PRS in 1969, our goals have included encouraging discussions of important scientific advances in perinatal research by featuring nationally renown speakers who provide insights on current developments in the field. In doing so, we also hope to give early career investigators the opportunity to meet with senior members and hopefully leave with new ideas for their research and find potential new collaborators. We also set aside time to reunite with old friends and make new friends over our three days in Park City.

In addition, we want to welcome our early career researchers as they attend the pre-meeting Young Investigators Grant Writing workshop and are guided by PRS senior investigators in shaping their grant proposals.  We look forward to the hearing them share their novel research proposals at the meeting.

As for our 2023 location, Park City, Utah is located within the scenic Wasatch Range of the Rocky Mountains and will be a beautiful backdrop for our meeting. There are plenty of opportunities for hiking, strolling, shopping and biking. The old town of Park City has terrific restaurants and shops to browse.

We look forward to seeing you in Utah this fall as we take a deeper look at exciting neurological research within perinatology. If you have any questions, please email PRS at staff@perinatalresearchsociety.org.

Sonnet Jonker, PhD

PRS President

PRS Young Investigator Pre-Meeting Workshop, Sept 27-29

In addition, PRS NIH-Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition Young Investigator Workshop is a two-day pre-meeting, September 27-29, 2023, with successful applicants also attending the Annual meeting, September 29 – October 1. The workshop utilizes immersive, active-writing, and active-oral presentation design, with one-on-one feedback from NIH-funded faculty-mentors drawn from the PRS membership. Applications for the program are due May 31. See the Young Investigator Program page for more information.

two members posing while working on a grant writing project
two members posing while working on a grant writing project

2023 PRS Annual Meeting Speakers

SpeakerInstitute
Charles Roselli, PhDOregon Health and Science University
Kurt Albertine, PhDUniversity of Utah
Arlin Blood, PhDLoma Linda University
Perrie O’Tierney-Ginn, PhDTufts University
Monica Longo, MD, PhDNational Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Bianca Jones Marlin, PhDColumbia University Zuckerman Institute
Teresa Reyes, PhDUniversity of Cincinnati
Marisa Spann, PhD, MPHColumbia University

Visiting Park City

The location of the meeting is the Park City area. It is a favorite – even when it’s not ski season. Surrounded by beautiful mountains, this scenic location is filled with opportunities for hiking, biking, lovely drives or chairlift rides.

The Canyons Village is a relaxing location that features fun activities without having to go far. Canyons Golf is a nearby option and Disc Golf is as well – with Utah boasting the invention of the frisbee. The Grand Summit Hotel also has a large outdoor heated pool and three hot tubs.

Historic Park City features great shopping on its Main Street with trendy boutiques and well-known retail stores. In addition, the numerous gourmet food offerings have something for everyone.

Normal temperatures for this late September meeting routinely range in the 60s and 70s during the day and 40s in the evening. Traveling to the meeting includes easy access (without snow!) from Salt Lake City Airport – only 25 miles away.

colorful apartments with lush forest on the hill in background

For more information on things to do in Park City, here’s a link to A Classy Warm-Weather Weekend in Park City – an article written by writer Tiffini Porter (a native Utahan) about what to do during a short stay in Park City.