The Permafrost Young Researchers' Network (PYRN) is planning a Mentors' Panel at the Ninth International Conference on Permafrost (NICOP) with the theme "Careers in Permafrost: Research and Trajectories from IGY to IPY (1957-2007)," on Tuesday 1st of July, 4:30 to 5:30PM in the Salisbury Theater. Following this Mentors' Panel will be the PYRN Social.

One of PYRN's primary objectives is to help early career researchers and students better interact with their colleagues and with senior engineers and scientists. The purpose of this panel is to "break the ice" and help generate conversation among those who know the field best: experienced researchers, and those who could benefit most from their experience and perspectives: young researchers and students.

The panel will consist of 3 eminent scientists and engineers whose careers span the past 30+ years. We will draw upon their past and current experiences to explore the overall evolution of permafrost science and engineering, and how past trends in permafrost research have influenced current trajectories. Most importantly, the panel will provide advice and guidance for early-career permafrost researchers on how to succeed in our field.

The panelists will start off with a brief presentation of their views regarding the evolution and advancement of permafrost engineering, using their careers as an initial platform. The panel will focus on insights regarding past research milestones that potentially changed the course of permafrost engineering and science, as well their views on current gaps (and hence future opportunities) in permafrost engineering/science. Moderators for the panel discussion will be Andrew Balser and Daniel Fortier.