In this decade of the Third Millennium of the Common Era in the Gregorian calendar, we have witnessed economic upheavals, political shifts, evolving educational systems, climate change, political controversies, and many others. Being flexible, innovative and creative are important traits to survive during these trying times. In 2014, the Philippine Society for Microbiology shall hold a convention that will focus on these very things. The theme for this convention will be:

“Economic Opportunities in Biotechnology and Microbial Entrepreneurship”.

PSM has assembled together scientists and experts in their respective fields to share their insights on what it means to be entrepreneurs. The 43rd Convention will be held on May 15-16, 2014 at the historic city of Cebu. Experts from all over the world have been invited to share their researches and its potential applications in industry. The convention also features the most recent breakthroughs of microbiologists and biotechnologists alike. Be a part of this historic event. Come, register and participate in the convention, present poster papers as well as technical papers, and renew ties and form new bonds with colleagues from both the academe and industry.

The Convention will include a keynote address, plenary lectures, contributed papers and posters in the following areas of microbiology and biotechnology, representing the different divisions of PSM:

Convention Programe

The convention will provide many opportunities for formal interactions through Plenary Lectures, Lead Papers, Concurrent Scientific and Technical Papers and Poster Paper presentations.

During the 43rd Annual Convention and Scientific Meeting of the PSM, the General Assembly and Business Meeting of the Society will also be held.
Schedule of Activities

May 14 		Registration
		Ingress of Exhibitors
		Welcome Dinner	
May 15 		Registration
		Opening Ceremonies
		PSM Awards
		Plenary Session
		Best Paper Competition	
		Poster Session and Judging
		General Assembly and Business Meeting
		Fellowship Night
May 16 		Plenary Session
		Best Paper Competition
		Scientific Paper Sessions
		Awarding Ceremonies
May 17 		City Tour

Convention Venue

The venue of the convention is at Cebu City, Philippines. It’s most famous landmark is the Magellan’s Cross which is reputed to have been planted by Ferdinand Magellan when he arrived in the Philippines in 1521. Cebu also boasts of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño (Church of the Holy Child) which features the country’s oldest relic, the figure of the Santo Niño de Cebú (Holy Child of Cebu).

The city also boasts of such delicacies as Chorizo de Cebu, Otap, Dried Danggit and Pusit and many more. So, after listening to the many talks lined up for the convention, do not miss the opportunity to visit and experience the many sights and allure of Cebu City.

The convention will be held in Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu. It is along Sergio Osmena Boulevard Corner Juan Luna Avenue , 6000, Cebu City, Philippines. It is 11 kilometres from Mactan International Airport. In addition to airport proximity, the hotel is near a variety of transport options including a ferry service, taxis and jeepneys.

View Larger Map
For reservations, you may contact the hotel –
Tel: +63 (32) 402 9900
Tel: +63 (32) 505 1700
Fax: +63 (32) 402 9999
E-mail: [email protected]

Call for Papers

Topics of Papers to be submitted may be about any of the following –

• basic microbiology,
• microbiology education,
• aquatic, agriculture and food microbiology,
• medical and veterinary microbiology,
• industrial and environmental microbiology

Deadline for submission of Abstracts is February 15, 2014

Categories of Contributed Papers to Convention:

Oral Presentation

• Non-competing Technical Papers for Scientific Parallel Sessions
• Competing Papers (Best Paper Competition)
  • Undergraduate Student Category
  • Professional Category

Poster Presentation

• Non-competing Scientific Posters
• Competing Scientific Posters

Submission of abstracts should be done by electronic submission through the PSM website.

Deadline for the submission of Abstracts is February 15, 2014.

The presenting author whose paper has been accepted for presentation need to pre-register as a participant of the convention on or before March 31, 2014.

 Technical Session

The main focus of the paper is microbiology. It should not have been published nor presented in other national or international meetings. Abstracts must clearly describe the paper’s purpose, methods, and conclusions. There are no restrictions on the number of abstracts a participant may submit, but all abstracts must be submitted by electronic mail as a Microsoft Word attachment and must have a maximum of 250 words. Abstracts will be accepted until February 15, 2014. For more information and abstract submission, please contact:

GIL M. PENULIAR, Ph.D.
Chair, Technical Sessions Committee 
Institute of Biology, UP Diliman
Quezon City 1101, Philippines
Tel. No.: (+63) 2 920 5471 / Mobile: (+63) 905 207 7933
Email: [email protected]

Best Paper Competition

One of the highlights of the PSM Convention is the Best Paper Competition which aims to recognize excellence in microbiological research. PSM cordially invites the submission of research papers to compete for the Best Paper Awards.

There will be two categories for the Best Paper Competition:

• Professional
• Undergraduate Students

Guidelines for BEST PAPER COMPETITION

• The Paper must be original.
• Part of the research study must have been done in the Philippines.
• Review papers and progress reports will not be accepted.
• One of the co-authors must be an active PSM member.
• The main focus of the paper to be submitted should be microbiology.
• The paper should not have been published nor presented in other national or international meetings.
• Abstracts must be clearly describe, the paper’s purpose, methods and conclusions.
• There are no restrictions on the number of abstracts a participant may submit but all abstracts must be submitted by electronic submission through the PSM Website and must have a maximum of 250 words.
• Abstracts will be accepted until February 15, 2014 and authors will be informed of their acceptance on or before February 28, 2014 through email.
• The deadline for the submission of FULL PAPER for the best paper competition is on March 15 and should include a letter of endorsement from the supervisor.
• The presenting author whose paper have been accepted for presentation need to pre-register as a participant of the convention on or before March 31, 2014.

For more inquiries please contact:
Joel C. Cornista
Science Department,
Miriam College
Telefax: (+63 2) 4359232
Mobile No: (+63 917) 5389512
Email: [email protected]

Poster Paper Session and Competition

The Poster Paper Session will showcase current research endeavors in microbiology and biotechnology. The presenting author should indicate upon submission if the paper is for competition, and in such case, one of the co-authors must be a PSM member.

The deadline for the Submission of Poster Abstracts is on Feb. 15, 2014.
For more information and submission of papers, please contact:

Donna May Dela Cruz-Papa
Research Center for the Natural
and Applied Sciences
University of Santo Tomas
Tel No: (+63 2) 4061611 loc 4054
Mobile No: (+63 917) 5752156
Email: [email protected]

Abstract Submission

To facilitate faster processing of abstracts, We will be utilizing web forms to collect information regarding your submission. For this case, PSM will be using Google Webforms . Do take note that the information we require from Oral Presentation and Poster Presentation vary from one another and we will be utilizing 2 separate forms from each. Each form will only be able to handle 1 abstract submission.

For general guidelines of Oral Presentation and Best Paper Competition check out more information here
for abstracts submission you can submit here

For general guidelines of Competing or non-Competing Posters check out more information here. for
for abstact submissions you can opt to submit your abstract here

Registration

Participation in the Convention is open to all persons interested in microbiology and biotechnology. All persons planning to attend the convention must register.

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Registration rates for members are subsidized. Only PSM regular and life members as of January 25, 2014 can avail of the subsidized registration rates. Attendance to fellowship night of registered members are free of charge.

Full registration fee entitlements:
– Attendance to all sessions,
– Convention kit,
– All meals during the convention except breakfast and dinner
– Raffle tickets and freebies
– Fellowship night dinner

Accompanying persons are entitled to meals and fellowship night dinner when registered only. On-site and day rate registrants are not guaranteed of convention kits. Senior citizens are entitled to 20% discount.

PRE-REGISTRATION

Submit completed pre-registration form together with your payment (either in cash, manager’s cheque, telegraphic transfer or money order, made payable to the Philippine Society for Microbiology, Inc.) on or before March 31, 2014

For Inquiries:

Marian P. De Leon, Ph.D.
Museum of Natural History, UP Los Banos
College, Laguna 4031, Philippines
Tel. No. (+63 49) 5365794; (+63 40) 5363669;
Mobile No: (+63 917) 8719264
Email: [email protected]

Registration Fees may also be deposited to the PSM Account at Bank of the Philippine Islands (Los Banos Branch), Account No. 0913242548.
Kindly fax deposit slip with your name legibly written to Dr. Marian P. De Leon (+63 49) 5365794 or email details to [email protected]

CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS

The convention secretariat must be notified in writing for a refund of the registration fee (less 20% administrative charge) should be made on or before April 30, 2014. No refund will be made for cancellations received after this date.

Additional Notes
Registration is not inclusive of the Welcome Dinner and City Tour and of the ff:

Insurance : The registration fee does not include insurance of any kind. It is recommended that you purchase an insurance policy of your choice for the convention.

Housing and Travel: The registration fee does not include hotel stay and transportation fees (air, water, land or local transfers or airport transfers).

LETTER OF INVITATIONS

Participants who wish to receive an official letter of invitation from the society may request the convention secretariat . Such invitation, however, does not imply commitment on the part of the organizing committee to provide any financial support. Please contact

Gem E. Santillana, Ph.D.
Chair, Secretariat
Microbiology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences
University of the Philippines, Los Baños
Tel No: (+63 49)5363368
Email: [email protected]

Commercial Exhibits

The convention offers excellent opportunities for companies  to exhibit and introduce their products and for participants to keep abreast with new technologies and innovations.  Limited slots for product presentations during the convention are available.  Sponsorships and Advertisement to be published in the souvenir program are welcome.

For further details and arrangements, please contact:

Prof. Benigno Glenn Ricaforte
Chair, Exhibition Committee
School of Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde,
[email protected]