fbpx

U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA)

USADA logo.

Global DRO logo in whiteSearch Medications & Ingredients

Click here for information specific to the UFC Anti-Doping Program.

Athlete Login >

GlobalDRO >

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

Science Symposium

Since 2002, USADA has hosted the Annual USADA Symposium on Anti-Doping Science, aimed at bringing together anti-doping experts from around the world, including guests from more than 30 countries, to inform and shape meaningful anti-doping research programs for the future.

The attendees consist of WADA-accredited laboratories, anti-doping organizations, International Federations of the Olympic Movement, and scientific experts in the field of interest for each particular Symposium. A limited number of attendees are invited to attend the Symposium in order to provide a forum for exchanging scientific information.

The Symposium enables our attendees to stay up-to-date with the latest research and scientific developments in anti-doping and provides a unique opportunity to meet with peers and colleagues in their field.

Every year, the Symposium focuses on a key topic relevant to anti-doping science at that time. Read below for information regarding each Symposium.

Synergizing Anti-Doping Science and Investigations to Protect Athletes and Clean Sport

20th Annual USADA Symposium on Anti-Doping Science
October 1–4, 2021 in Scottsdale, Arizona

White horizontal USADA logo.
2021 Science Symposium group photo.

Continuing a 20-year legacy of advancing scientific innovation, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) hosted the 20th Annual USADA Symposium on Anti-Doping Science on October 1–4 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Following last year’s fully virtual format, the 2021 Symposium offered a hybrid approach with 151 registered attendees from more than 35 countries attending both in person and virtually to advance doping detection and deterrence efforts across the world.

Over the course of the Symposium, experts from a wide range of backgrounds discussed key topics within the theme “Synergizing Anti-Doping Science and Investigations to Protect Athletes and Clean Sport.” The theme reflects the reality that synergizing the efforts and expertise of anti-doping scientists, practitioners, and investigators has become increasingly important as the sophistication of doping escalates.

Explore Past Symposia

2020 Virtual Science Symposium attendees group images.

Virtual - 2020

Redefining Normal:
Disruption, Challenges, and Opportunities for Anti-Doping Science in a Global Crisis

2019 Science Symposium in Tokyo, Japan group shot.

Tokyo, Japan - 2019

Emerging Drugs and Technologies

Chicago, Illinois - 2018

Biomarker Discovery & Application to Doping Detection & Deterrence

Orlando, Florida - 2017

Pharmacokinetics and Detection Windows: Interpretation of Long Term Metabolism and Excretion

2016 science symposium participants

Bellevue, Washington - 2016

Recovery, Repair, and Regeneration: From Steroids to Stem Cells

2015 science symposium attendees

Lansdowne, Virginia - 2015

Designing an Effective Deterrence Program

2014 science symposium group shot

Phoenix, Arizona - 2014

Stimulation of Erythropoiesis and O2 Utilization

2013 Science Symposium Attendees photo

Indianapolis, Indiana - 2013

Inside the Individual:  Refining the Measurement of Biological Variation

2012 Science Symposium Atlanta, GA Attendee photo

Atlanta, Georgia - 2012

Deterring Athletes from Using Performance-Enhancing Drugs

2011 Science Symposium London, UK photo of attendees

London, England - 2011

Detection of Growth Factors

2010 Science Symposium Attendees Lansdown, VA

Lansdowne, Virginia - 2010

Emerging Technologies

Vancouver, BC, Canada - 2009

Detection of Enhancement of O2 Transport: Seven Years of Progress

2008 Science Symposium attendees photo

Colorado Springs, Colorado 2008

Mitochondria to Proteins: New Challenges for Anti-Doping Science

2007 Science Symposium attendees

Dallas, Texas - 2007

Oxygen Transport and Energy Production

Lausanne, Switzerland - 2006

Intra-Individual Reference Ranges

Exterior shot of hotel that held 2005 Science Symposium in Chicago, IL

Chicago, Illinois - 2005

Muscle Development & Recovery: Implications for Doping Control

Dallas, Texas - 2004

Detection of Human Growth Hormone Abuse in Sport

Los Angeles, California - 2003

Application of Gas Chromatography – Combustion – Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry to Doping Control

Exterior photo of hotel in Atlanta for 2002 Science Symposium

Atlanta, Georgia - 2002

Oxygen Transport Enhancing Agents and Methods

Scroll to Top

ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE SCIENCE SYMPOSIUM VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

LARRY BOWERS, Former USADA Chief Science Officer:

Probably the one that stands out most in my mind in terms of achievements of the symposium was in 2004, we actually moved the symposium from October back to April. And the reason that we did that was that there were possibilities for growth hormone testing that had not had serious, peer scientific review. So, we talked with the IOC, we talked with WADA, and we that decided April was the last possible moment that we could decide whether or not there would be a growth hormone test employed at the Olympic Games in Athens. And so, we assembled all the experts in the world on growth hormone and growth hormone testing in Dallas, and we had a three day meeting discussing the testing, and the outcome of that was, that they were going to use one of the two growth hormone tests that had been developed at the Games in Athens. I still remember meeting in my hotel suite after the meeting or at the end of the meeting with Patrick Schamasch of the IOC and Costas from the Greek lab and several other people to talk about how to roll this out and how important this was to the movement. So, that was a big one.