PASPCR Pigment Research

PASPCR is a diverse community of biologists studying normal and pathogenic pigment cell biology

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Statement on racism

The PanAmerican Society for Pigment Cell Research (PASPCR) is dismayed by recent events highlighted by the injustices concerning Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and others. These acts of violence highlight the persistence of racism and systemic injustices against Black people. PASPCR is a scientific community that welcomes members from all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, religions and cultures.

Fellowships for high school students from underrepresented minority groups

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

Fellowships for high school students from underrepresented minority groups

The PASPCR invites applications from PASPCR members to support a summer research project to be performed by a high school student in your lab. Colgate-Palmolive Company has generously provided funding for two high school students from underrepresented minority groups (URMs) to conduct a 10 week summer research project focused on pigment cell biology.  The goal of these fellowships is to expand research opportunities for URMs at an early stage in their education so that they develop an interest in research and become the next generation of scientists.  Each recipient will receive $5,000 in summer stipend and the PASPCR will fund two travel awards for the students to attend and present their work at the next PASPCR meeting.

Applications will be accepted until January 15, 2021 and awards will be announced in early March.

The Importance of Mentorship

By John D’Orazio, MD/PhD, PASPCR President-Elect

I’ve been thinking about what PASPCR represents and what the Society has meant to me in my journey as a pigment cell biologist. Thanks to all of you and to those who came before us, the PASPCR is a robust group of collaborative scientists united by all things “pigment.” We study melanin chemistry, melanin regulation, melanocyte development melanocyte biology, melanocyte response to environmental stressors, diseases of disordered pigmentation and, of course, melanoma. We appreciate that melanocytes and pigmentation can be excellent model systems to study general processes of cell biology. We’re a small Society, yet there is hardly a meeting I enjoy more than our annual meeting to catch up with old friends, explore new collaborations and see each other grow in our careers.

But to me, the biggest gift PASPCR has given me has been the gift of mentorship.

“Our chief want in life is somebody who will make us do what we can.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Fun Pigment Facts

Photo by Mikhail Vasilyev on Unsplash

Siamese cats were critical to our understanding of how pigment is important for development of the visual system. Read more about the story here and the genetic defects in these animals here.

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DONATIONS

Please support our annual meeting with a tax-exempt donation. 


Please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you'd like your contribution used towards a specific aspect of the meeting such as a speaker invitation, a social event or travel for new investigators.

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