Mayo Clinic will host a science conference to encourage students to pursue science in future careers.

Mayo Clinic researchers have invited about 200 area eighth-grade and high school students to the 16th Biennial Celebration of Research, a daylong conference for students interested in learning about careers in science.

The keynote address, “Harnessing Viruses to Attack Cancer,” will be presented by Eva Galanis, M.D., a professor of oncology and chair of the Department of Molecular Medicine at Mayo Clinic. This year’s theme, “Going Viral,” pertains to Dr. Galanis’ research and more.

Students are scheduled to attend from Austin, Blooming Prairie, Grand Meadow, Lyle, Southland, Albert Lea and other area schools.

The event will be held in Phillips Hall, Siebens Building, Mayo Clinic, 100 Second Avenue SW, Rochester, on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. CT.

Students will meet with physician-scientists, researchers and lab technicians as they participate in observational and hands-on tours of research laboratories.