This year, the research wizards at ACTREC proudly present the 20th NRSM conference with the theme, 'Million Eyes: Biology Beyond Boundaries'. Picture this: biologists, physicists, chemists, mathematicians, and probably even a few confused philosophers gathering to tackle biological puzzles like a team of superheroes with mismatched capes. We're talking about how these brainiacs from different corners of academia see cells and proteins not just through microscopes but through the lens of quantum weirdness, chemical trickery, and mathematical wizardry. It's like throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks, but with lab coats and a touch of chaos theory. When you mix brains like this, you're not just cooking up theories; you're whipping up solutions that could change how we understand and conquer the wily world of biology.

But wait, there's more! Not only will you unravel the mystery of how a bunch of chemicals threw a party and accidentally invented life on Earth, but you'll also get front-row seats to evolution's greatest hits and discover how physics, biophysics, and epidemiology teamed up to solve the mysteries of nuclear architecture, axonal traffic jams, and the sticky business of cell adhesion—all in one epic conference!

Hold onto your lab coats because we've got clinicians, too, dishing out tales of cancer's makeover through the decades. They've seen everything from rusty scalpels to futuristic zap machines and are here to spill the tea on battling the big C.

And guess what? This year, we're not just about the seasoned pros. Nope, we're giving a shout-out to the fresh-faced wonders of science with our young speaker category. These rising stars will dazzle you with discoveries faster than you can say, "Eureka!"

Calling all you brainiacs-in-training: whether you're still cramming for finals or tinkering away in the lab, we want you! Bring your A-game in posters and talks, spill the beans on your latest breakthroughs, and vent about the lab disasters that keep you up at night. Psst, we might even immortalize your genius in a reputed journal!

Hold onto your pipettes because we're not all about lab coats and goggles. Show off your artistic flair with scientific snaps, doodles, or even a sonnet inspired by a particularly elusive gene. And when the sun dips low, we kick back with our Creative Corner and a cultural extravaganza. Because science might be serious business, but who says we can't have a little fun while at it?

So, buckle up and bring your best wit and wisdom. We're ready for a rollercoaster of ideas, laughs, and maybe even a eureka moment or two. Got questions? Fire away! We've got answers (mostly scientific, but we can throw in a pun or two if you're lucky).