2026 Planning Committees

Co-Chairs (committee oversight)

  • Hia Kalita - IGG (Judges, Award process, and Presentation
  • Natalie Andresen - IGG
  • Iman Saha - IGG (Abstracts, Hospitality, and Speaker)
  • Lakpa Sherpa - IGG, Aditya Roshan - MCDB, Swathi Nandella - BCB - Senior Advisors

Committees

Abstract - Kota Nakasato and Carter Casey - Micro (Co-Chairs)

AV/IT - Michael Murphy - IGG (Chair)

Fundraising - 

Hospitality - Thao Nguyen - BCB (Chair)

Judges, Award Process, and Presentation Awards - Onyinechi Ameachi (IGG)

Logistics - 

Marketing - Faizo Kasule - IGG and Veeraya Bamrung - BCB (co-chairs)

Program/Agenda - 

Registration - 

Social Media - 

Speaker - Lakpa Sherpa - IGG and Pradeep BK - BCB

 

Committee Standard Operating Procedures

Committee Options & Timeframes

  • Abstracts
    Manage abstract submissions, select presenters, and coordinate poster printing.
    December – March
  • AV/IT
    Handle all technology needs during the event. Event day and a few days prior
  • Fundraising
    Reach out to departments, companies, and local businesses for donations. Need to have budget secure by December.
    August – December
  • Hospitality
    Choose catering options - February – April
  • Judges / Judging / Awards
    Recruit judges, tabulate scores, and prepare award certificates.
    March – April
  • Logistics
    Serve as the on-site support team during the symposium and the days leading up to it. Help troubleshoot issues, coordinate between committees, and ensure everything runs smoothly.
    April (and a few days prior)
  • Marketing
    Promote the symposium through SWAG, flyers, emails, and outreach.
    November – April
  • Program / Schedule
    Develop the scientific program for the symposium, create the event schedule, coordinate presentation sessions, organize poster and oral competitions, and prepare the final agenda and program materials.
    January – April
  • Registration
    Manage the registration site, assemble SWAG and name tags, and staff the check-in desk.
    February – April
  • Social Media
    Manage posts and engagement on platforms such as X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and more.
    November – April
  • Speakers
    Identify and invite speakers, coordinate their participation, and support their needs before and during the symposium.
    August – April