NM-INBRE Annual Symposium includes opportunities for faculty and students to present their science through oral and poster presentations and for professional development workshops. This event establishes an environment that fosters the development of strong, mutually respectful relationships between the faculty, who represent widely different institutions. The conference enables annual administrative meetings of the EC and EAC to conduct assessment, evaluation, and strategic planning activities with the AC. The annual conference provides the best venue for all committees to meet and gather first-hand information from the program participants, since the number and sheer distance between institutions imposes practical limitations on multiple comprehensive visits to the participating institutions.