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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#374151;mso-ligatures:none">Dear colleagues,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#374151;mso-ligatures:none">I would like to discuss an initiative to support our students in attending conferences and meetings. As you may be aware, I have been hosting
some of the speakers for our IIGB Friday noon seminars and symposium at my home for dinner. This effort has allowed us to save approximately $1500 thus far.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#374151;mso-ligatures:none">My aim is to expand this practice and create a pool of funds dedicated to supporting our students' travel expenses for scientific conferences.
I believe it would be a great opportunity for us to contribute to their professional growth and enable them to participate in important scientific gatherings.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#374151;mso-ligatures:none">If you agree with this idea, I request your support in this endeavor by hosting some of your invited speakers as well. By doing so, we can
collectively contribute to the fund, ensuring that more students can benefit from it and gain valuable experience through their attendance at conferences and meetings.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#374151;mso-ligatures:none">I am eager to hear your thoughts and suggestions regarding this initiative. Your support means a lot to our students, helping them expand
their horizons and foster academic growth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#374151;mso-ligatures:none">Thanks and be powerful.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#374151;mso-ligatures:none">Katie</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none">Katayoon (Katie) Dehesh<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none">Director, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, Distinguished Professor
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none">Ernst and Helen Leibacher Endowed Chair in Botany and Plant Sciences<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none">University of California, Riverside, CA 92521<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none">Phone: (951) 827-6370; Fax: (951) 827-5155<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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