66th Annual Drosophila Research Conference
A variety of awards and grants from GSA and other organizations help recognize the outstanding achievements of community members, offset conference travel costs, and support parents and caregivers.
The Hugo Bellen and Catherine Tasnier Drosophila Neurogenetics Lecture recognizes a postdoctoral fellow or assistant professor for their outstanding achievements in the field of genetics as applied to neuroscience in Drosophila, to improve our understanding of how neurons develop, function, connect, and respond to stimuli to control behavior.
Designed to recognize and support early career scientists and early career faculty members of the Drosophila community, the award covers registration and travel costs for the Annual Drosophila Research Conference where the recipient will present and includes a cash prize.
Nominations are currently open. The nomination deadline is December 2, 2024.
This award is presented each year to outstanding recent graduates who have completed a PhD in an area of Drosophila research. The recipient presents the Larry Sandler Memorial Lecture at the opening session of the Annual Drosophila Research Conference.
Submit a nomination by 11:59 PM (EST) on December 13, 2024.
About the Larry Sandler Award
The Larry Sandler Award was established in 1988 by the colleagues, friends, and students of Dr. Larry Sandler after his untimely death in 1987. The award serves to honor Dr. Sandler for his many contributions to Drosophila genetics and his exceptional dedication to the training of Drosophila biologists.
Eligibility
Any student completing a PhD in an area of Drosophila research between July 2023 and December 2024 is eligible. Students may be nominated by their thesis advisor, department chair, or supervisory committee member.
Nomination Process
All nominations must include:
Past Recipients
| Sherzod Tokamov, 2024 | Elissa Hallem, 2005 |
| James O’Connor, 2023 | Sean McGuire, 2004 |
| Lianna Wat, 2022 | Sinisa Urban, 2003 |
| Ching-Ho Chang, 2021 | Matthew C. Gibson, 2002 |
| Balint Kacsoh, 2020 | James Wilhelm, 2001 |
| Laura Fairbanks Seeholzer, 2019 | Bin Chen, 2000 |
| Lucy Liu, 2018 | Terence Murphy, 1999 |
| Danny E. Miller, 2017 | Nir Hacohen, 1998 |
| Alejandra Figueroa-Clarevega, 2016 | Abby Dernburg, 1997 |
| Zhao Zhang, 2015 | Chaoyong Ma, 1996 |
| Ruei-Jiun Hung, 2014 | David Begun, 1995 |
| Weizhe Hong, 2013 | Kendal Broadie, 1994 |
| Stephanie Turner Chen, 2012 | David Schneider, 1993 |
| Daniel Babcock, 2011 | Doug Kellogg, 1992 |
| Leonardo Koerich, 2010 | Maurice Kernan, 1991 |
| Timothy T. Weil, 2009 | Michael Dickinson, 1990 |
| Adam A. L. Friedman, 2008 | Kate Harding, 1989 |
| Yu-Chiun Wang, 2007 | Bruce Edgar, 1988 |
| Daniel Ortiz-Barrientos, 2006 |
Submissions are due by January 31, 2025
The Drosophila Image Award recognizes compelling images that communicate important findings in Drosophila research. Any image from a paper that has been accepted for publication in the calendar year preceding the Annual Drosophila Research Conference is eligible and can be submitted by the researcher who generated it.
The award is given to the most striking image and video that clearly conveys an important biological result.
The Fly Board Drosophila Community Service Award is now open. Nominations are due by January 16, 2025.
The award is given once a year to acknowledge outstanding contributions to the Drosophila community. The awardee(s) are announced at the Annual Drosophila Research Conference each year.
The award was initiated in 2021 in gratitude for the service of colleagues like Dan Lindsley, Kathy Matthews, and Bill Gelbart, with the first award announced in 2023. A major goal of this award is to raise awareness within the Drosophila community about the depth and diversity of efforts supporting its success. The selection committee is encouraged to recognize colleagues who might not have been selected for the GSA Awards. Any member of the Drosophila research community is eligible, including professionals not holding traditional tenure-track positions. A team or small group may be recognized
Anyone may make a nomination by submitting a letter describing the contributions of the nominee(s), including the significance and impact of the work on the community. Please submit your nomination by January 16, 2025, by emailing drosophilaserviceaward@gmail.com.
Past Awardees
2024: For cataloging, maintaining, and distributing Drosophila stocks for the worldwide research community
Bloomington Drosophila Stock Center at Indiana University
Senior Staff Members: Kevin Cook, Annette Parks, Cale Whitworth, and Sam Zheng; all staff members and stockkeepers past and present for their contributions and substantial efforts.
2023: For gathering and organizing the information that drives Drosophila research
James Thompson for Drosophila Information Services
Thomas Brody for Interactive Fly
FlyBase Curatorial Team: Giulia Antonazzo, Helen Attrill, Lynn Crosby, Damien Goutte-Gattat, L. Sian Gramates, Victoria Jenkins, Aoife Larkin, TyAnna Lovato, Steven Marygold, Beverley Matthews, Alex McLachlan, Gillian Millburn, Arzu Öztürk-Çolak, Clare Pilgrim; all past and present curators for their contributions and substantial efforts.
Awards will be given to the best poster presentations at the Annual Drosophila Research Conference by GSA undergraduate and graduate student members. Judges take both scientific merit and visual clarity of presentation into account. You must be the first and presenting author on the abstract to be eligible for an award. You must also be a GSA student member at the time you submit your abstract and must check the Poster Awards option during abstract submission to enter the competition.
The following prizes will be awarded:
Award recipients will be announced during the conference. All candidates must participate in the live Q&A for their poster to be eligible for an award. Postdocs who are GSA members can indicate if they would like to help with judging during registration.
The GSA Undergraduate Travel Award was established to promote excellence in undergraduate research and education. It supports travel costs for undergraduate members who are presenting at and attending a GSA conference.
Applicants must be undergraduate GSA members, and recipients may only use the award to fund their travel to GSA conferences.
The GSA Undergraduate Travel Awards have two rounds of applications per year; one for GSA conferences occurring between January 1 and June 30, and another for GSA conferences held between July 1 and December 31. The award cycle is now open. The deadline to apply is December 4, 2024.
Applications are now closed.
The DeLill Nasser Award supports scientists studying genetics who are GSA members in their graduate or postdoctoral career stages by funding participation in conferences and laboratory courses.
If you are not yet a member, after joining GSA, you will be able to apply after just 20 minutes.
Applications are now closed.
The Victoria Finnerty Undergraduate Travel Award supports registration costs for undergraduate GSA members who will present research at the Annual Drosophila Research Conference.
If you are not yet a member, after joining GSA, you will be able to apply after just 20 minutes.
As a FASEB member Society, GSA can offer its members the opportunity to apply for additional resources:
