The Annual Midwestern Conference of Parasitologists (AMCOP) is a gathering of parasitologists and students of parasitology for the purpose of informal discussion of research and teaching in parasitology and the furthering of the best interests of the discipline of parasitology. The Conference is open to all interested persons, regardless of place of work, residence, or affiliation in other recognized societies. There are three categories of membership, Emeritus, Regular and Student. Annual dues are required from members (Emeritus and Regular: $10, Students: $5) and a registration fee is charged during registration at the annual conferences.
The conference confers three major awards during its annual meeting to the student participants. These are the Chester A. Herrick Award, sponsored by Eli Lilly & Co. for the best poster/demonstration of parasitological research; the George A. LaRue Award for the best oral presentation of parasitological research, and the Raymond M. Cable Award for the best presentation given by an undergraduate student.
Currently winners of the Herrick and LaRue awards each receive $300 and the winner of the Cable award receives $100. Two Honorable Mention awards are also given, each receiving $100. At the present time, all five student award winners are also eligible to receive an additional $150 travel grant to present their winning presentation at another scientific meeting. To claim their funds, grantees must submit some form of documentation to the AMCOP Secretary/Treasurer that their presentation has been accepted into the program of the other meeting . This must be done prior to the next AMCOP.
AMCOP is recognized as a non-profit organization by the Internal Revenue Service and all contributions are fully tax deductable. AMCOP is an affiliate society of the American Society of Parasitologistis.