CRYSTAL33 (SCANZ)

Crystal 33 is the 33rd Biennial Conference of the Society of Crystallographers in Australia and New Zealand (SCANZ)

SCANZ (the Society of Crystallographers in Australia and New Zealand, formerly the Society of Crystallographers in Australia) (http://scanz.iucr.org/) is an organisation whose members are scientists with interest in the general area of crystallography. The society has about 200 members mainly in Australia and New Zealand but with members worldwide.
Crystallography is the science that examines crystals. The study of their inner structure and properties gives us insights into the arrangement of atoms in the solid state, which is relevant to a range of sciences from chemistry, solid-state physics to biology and medicine.

The Crystal conferences provide scientists from a wide variety of backgrounds the opportunity to exchange cutting edge ideas and techniques in multiple areas of research related to crystallography. The meetings highlight different aspects of crystallography and demonstrate their significance to the greater scientific community.  Topics range from macromolecular structure through chemical crystallography and materials research to new methodologies in X-ray, neutron or electron diffraction and imaging, to name just a few.  Vendors display the latest technology and award presentations acknowledge outstanding scientists in the field.

One of the highlights of the Crystal conferences is our 1987 Fund Plenary Lecture.  The 1987 Fund is a Trust Fund established from the proceeds of the 1987 Congress of the International Union of Crystallography, held in Perth, Western Australia.  The Fund provides Maslen travel scholarships for PhD students to present their research findings at a crystallography conference.  In addition the fund provides support for a renowned scientist to present the Plenary Lecture at SCANZ Crystal conferences. 

SCANZ has also established two prestigious medals to be awarded at Crystal meetings. The Lawrence Bragg Medal is awarded for distinguished contributions to science involving X-ray, neutron or electron diffraction and/or imaging.  The Sandy Mathieson Medal is awarded for distinguished contributions to science involving X-ray, neutron or electron diffraction and/or imaging by a researcher under 40 years of age. At this years Crystal meeting we will be awarding the 4th of each of these medals.

In addition to these speakers the program provides for keynote lectures by distinguished national and international scientists, invited and contributed lecture slots, a Rising Star session, flash poster presentations and a poster session. A dynamic social program supports the scientific activities.