The mission of the society for the study of reproduction (SSR) is to advance science in reproduction, fertility, and development benefiting humans and animals

Funding from the USDA conference grant provides partial support for the SSR annual meetings, which will highlight recent developments in the field and provide trainees (students and postdocs) with career advice and opportunities to connect withestablished scientists. Funds will be used to support travel of speakers presenting research on agriculturally important speciesand travel merit awards each year for 10 SSR trainees who present work relevant to the goals of the USDA afri foundationalprogram. Training is a key part of the meeting and about 50% of attendees are trainees, many from animal science departmentsand veterinary schools. The theme for the 2018 annual meeting is "pathways to discovery: signals for reproduction, development, and longevity". Programs for future years have not yet been formalized but will generally follow a similar format. In its annual meetings, ssrs goal is to cover a diverse and balanced range of topics, including applied work on agriculturally important species and basic science with strong potential for application to agricultural animal health. Plenary lectures address topics of broad interest, and modular sessions explore specific research topics in depth by combining speaker presentations with guided discussions. Numerous platform and poster sessions round out the program and encourage spirited discussion and debate. Speakers, session chairs, and attendees represent and reflect a diversified society. All meeting venues are capable of accommodating plenary, concurrent, and poster sessions, as well as support offices, space for food and beverage breaks, and slide preview rooms for speakers.