This meeting is specifically for students and postdoctoral fellows, and will precede the 2012 Gordon Research Conference on Mitochondria and Chloroplasts (http://www.grc.org/programs.aspx?year=2012&program=mitochon). A GRS was associated with each of the two prior Mitochondria and Chloroplast GRCs, and both were a resounding success. Approximately 20 GRS applicants will be selected to make oral presentations, based on the content of the submitted abstracts. Those who are not selected for oral presentations will present posters. We are delighted that Jodi Nunnari (UC-Davis) and Ian Small (University of Western Australia) have agreed to serve as the Discussion Leaders for this GRS. All GRS participants are expected to attend the subsequent GRC.