ASHG 2024: A Year of Scientific Breakthroughs and Community Connection

The ASHG 2024 Annual Meeting brought together over 7,300 attendees from all 50 U.S. states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, and 78 countries, who convened in Denver, CO for an exciting week of science. This dynamic platform fostered collaboration, innovation, and the exchange of ideas, with cutting-edge research presented in plenary sessions and poster presentations.

Below are a few highlights from the five-day event.

Groundbreaking Science

The meeting featured a diverse range of scientific sessions, workshops, and poster presentations, covering the breadth of the field. Featured events included the Presidential Symposium, titled “Mendelian traits: Thinking about Complexity in the World of “Simple” Genetics,” and returning again from last year’s successful event, the Distinguished Speakers Symposium, titled “The Promise and Payoff of Human Genetics and Genomics: Paths from Bench to Bedside.” During these sessions attendees had the opportunity to hear from world-renowned experts, engage in lively discussions, and learn about cutting-edge research that is shaping the future of human genetics and genomics. If you missed a poster or are interested in viewing them, don’t worry! You can explore them digitally through our ePoster Gallery until February 3.

New Ways to Connect & Forge Paths

The meeting also fostered a strong sense of community with numerous opportunities for networking and collaboration. The new ASHG Social provided a fun and relaxed atmosphere for attendees to connect with colleagues, friends, and mentors. Additionally, Shared Interest Group (SIG) Meetups allowed participants to delve deeper into specific areas of interest such as Bioinformatics, which welcomed over 200 individuals for that session alone! These meet-up sessions allowed attendees to foster discussions and build lasting relationships with like-minded individuals who have the same research interests.

Professional Avenues

The meeting was not only a platform for scientific discovery but also a springboard for career advancement. A highlight of this year was the new Career Hub offering a comprehensive range of resources, including resume building and career talks to help attendees navigate their professional paths. Job seekers could visit the Career Hub to brush up their resume and get inspired to forge new career paths before attending the inaugural Hiring Mixer, which provided the opportunity to connect with leading companies in human genetics and genomics. Additionally, the For more information on ways to connect with employers year-round, go to ASHG’s Career Center!

Industry Innovation

The meeting would not be complete without our vibrant Exhibit & Poster Hall and industry experts. Attendees explored the latest technologies and services, connected with industry experts, and learned about the latest trends. Highlights included the new NIH Pavilion, where attendees could discuss the latest projects with core NIH organizations. Specialty pavilions also connected attendees with new exhibitors and nonprofit groups, while informative talks from industry experts provided insights into the latest developments. Additionally, CoLabs offered attendees unique opportunities to engage with industry partners and explore cutting-edge solutions to take their research to the next level.

Looking Ahead to ASHG 2025

It’s time to start planning and we can’t wait to welcome you to Boston, MA, October 14-18, for ASHG 2025! Visit our website to stay up to date with the latest information.