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 Greetings!
Recently,
I was invited to view an apolitical documentary at the local theater, called "I.O.U.S.A.", which was shown during the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. I.O.U.S.A boldly examined the rapidly growing national debt and its consequences
for the USA and its citizens. The film
followed former U. S. Comptroller General David Walker as he crisscrossed the
country explaining America's unsustainable fiscal
policies to its citizens. The ultimate power of I.O.U.S.A. is that the film
proposed solutions to create a fiscally sound nation for future
generations.
Following
the movie was a live panel discussion with Warren Buffet, David Walker (CEO of
Peterson Foundation now), Peter Peterson, Bob Bixby (Concord Coalition) and
AARP CEO. Go to the movie's website to see when I.O.U.S.A. will be shown in your area or wait until it will be available from Netflix. The documentary was extremely well done and I encourage you to see it.
Below we have showcased the response from the Obama campaign on the
14 questions submitted by Science Debate 2008 group, which has helped to
elevate science in the American political dialogue. (The McCain campaign has
not responded yet.) While it doesn't seem
like we will have a science-focused debate, at least we have thoughtful responses to the
questions.
This
is a gentle reminder that we all should be informed before we vote on November
9th. We are at a watershed in our political history, not just
because we have the first Afro-American presidential candidate, but
because our futures and the future of our children are at stake with this
deficit. Ensuring that the USA continues to lead the world
in science and technology is an important starting point and 38,000 scientists,
engineers, and other concerned Americans have signed on. Will you join us?
Dee McManus, Executive Director
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National GWIS News
Executive Board Biography: Jennifer Ingram, National Vice President
 Jennifer L. Ingram grew up in Princeton, North Carolina and attended Peace College, a women's junior college, where she earned her Associate of Arts Degree before transferring to North Carolina State University. There, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology with a minor in Genetics. She continued her education at NC State by earning a Ph.D. in Genetics in 2000, focusing on chromatin structure and transcriptional regulation in plants. Following graduate school, she continued her postdoctoral training at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the CIIT Centers for Health Research. Her postdoctoral research focused on understanding pathogenic mechanisms of fibrotic lung diseases resulting from environmental insults (allergens, metal oxides pollutants, etc.). Dr. Ingram's current position is Assistant Research Professor at Duke University in the Duke Asthma, Allergy, and Airway Center, where her work focuses on understanding the molecular pathways that lead to airway remodeling in asthma. Dr. Ingram has been a member of GWIS since 1995, and has been a member of the GWIS Fellowships Committee since 2003.
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National News Headlines
Science Debate 2008. In November, 2007, a small group of six citizens spearheaded a movement to restore science and innovation to America's political
dialogue. The call tapped a wellspring of
concern over the state of American science.
Within weeks, more than 38,000 scientists, engineers, and other
concerned Americans signed on, including nearly every major American
science organization, dozens of Nobel laureates, elected officials and
business leaders, and the presidents of over 100 major American
universities.
Among other things, these signers submitted over 3,400 questions they
want the presidential candidates to answer about science and the
future of America.
Beginning with these 3,400 questions, Science Debate 2008 worked with
the leading organizations to craft the top 14 questions the
candidates should answer. These questions are broad enough to allow
for wide variations in response, but they are specific enough to help
guide the discussion toward many of the largest and most important
unresolved challenges currently facing the United States.
Read Barack Obama's answers
GWIS encourages you to elect members of Congress who support the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women or CEDAW, established in 1979. GWIS has non-governmental organization (NGO) status at the United Nations and has been associated with CEDAW since the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing in 1995. The CEDAW Committee, composed of 23 experts on women's rights from around the world, is responsible for watching over the progress for women made in those countries that have ratified the Convention. During the CEDAW Committee's 41st session, 185 countries were party to the treaty, but the United States is the only industrialized country that has not ratified the convention. The United States remains one of 8 unratified countries in the world that has not accepted a legal obligation to counteract discrimination against women, along with Iran, Qatar, Sudan, Somalia, Tonga, Palau, and Nauru.
The coming election will bring new members of Congress and a newly-constituted Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The goal is to elect members of the Senate to achieve a 2/3rds majority who favor ratification of CEDAW. On Election Day, Tuesday, November 4, there will be 35 Senate seats up for grabs: 12 incumbent Democratic Senators and 17 incumbent Republican Senators. More information on CEDAW and actions that you can take.
Women and minorities not getting mentoring in engineering and science, MentorNet study finds.
Mentoring is a key factor in keeping women and minorities on track to
careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, yet they
overwhelmingly reported a lack of mentoring opportunities, according to
a new study released by MentorNet.
MentorNet surveyed more than
2,500 students and postdoctoral scholars in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics to learn more about their need for
mentors. Over 70% of the women responding said they did not have a
consistent source for advice and support they could go to without fear
of affecting grades or hurting their careers.
MentorNet study. See the GWIS call for more mentors and proteges below.
Work Experience Survey
Researchers
at Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University invite your participation in a survey on women's experiences in the workplace and
factors that may affect women's professional experiences. The survey takes approximately 15-20
minutes.
Message from researchers Kathy Phillips, Zoe Kinias, and Denise Lewin Lloyd:
"We appreciate your willingness to share your thoughts and experiences.
As a token of our appreciation, we will raffle off three $100 gift certificates
to a popular national (online) retailer. Thank you in advance for your
participation!"
Northwestern Work Experience Survey
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 Chapter News
Psi Chapter ran the
face painting booth in the Kids' Area at the Pullman, WA Lentil Festival from Aug 22nd-23rd. They painted LOTS of faces and applied MANY temporary
tattoos (some more than twice) to kids of all ages, discussed science
careers with a few young women, and even sold a few T-shirts! In addition, they made $95 in donations, which will be used for future Chapter events.
Psi C
hapter has "This is what a SCIENTIST looks like" T-SHIRTS on sale. Visit their website for order form and more information.
Mary Anderson paints flowers and talks science at the Psi Chapter fundraising event at the Lentil Festival in Pullman, WA.
Nu Chapter
Nu had a clothing drive and collected 50 boxes, loading 4 SUV full of clothing to donate to St. Vincent DePaul's Charity and Good Will! View photos.
Nu Chapter's Officers
Sigma Chapter's website is looking great with all of their activities and officers bios at http://www.ocgwis.org/
Xi Chapter has scheduled chapter meetings on 9/16 and 10/22.
If you're in the Twin Cities then, let Michelle Carter know at carte008@umn.edu and she willl invite you to the meetings.
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Member News
Diane Wotta (Xi), current National GWIS President, has accepted a new position at the same company (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN), as manager of the Quality Assurance Department, to begin October 1st. Diane's work contact information will remain the same.
 Kathryn Parker (Omicron 2007-8 VP; conference planning committee) has accepted a new position with the Department of Interior at the Grand Canyon and will be moving from the Washington DC area in September.
Her lung collapsed several times, but her spirit was never deflated. Mary Harbaugh's (Xi) struggle with a rare disease, lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), was recently described in an article in the St. Paul's Pioneer Press. LAM is almost exclusively found in women. Mary had cysts on her lungs which rupture, causing air to leak out of the lung, making the lung collapse. The full article can be found here.
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MentorNet News
GWIS is Looking for Mentors and Proteges!
GWIS is continuing its partnership with MentorNet for 2008-2009, and
all GWIS members are encouraged to participate in this wonderful
opportunity to network with a new scientist just starting their career. The MentorNet One-on-One Mentoring Programs are a
chance to make a big difference in the life of a student in as little
as 20 minutes a week.
MentorNet website
To Chapter Chairs and Membership Committees: If you would like to
advertise this opportunity to your chapter members, please contact me
(see below), and I will arrange for MentorNet to send you
advertising brochures and cards for use at your next Chapter
meeting. Everything is free to GWIS members, please take advantage
of this great membership benefit!
Kathy A. Grako, Ph.D.
GWIS Liaision to MentorNet
Chair, GWIS Board of Directors
kagrako@san.rr.com
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Funding and Job Opportunities
Sign up for a free electronic newsletter describing grant opportunities in Life Sciences. Grant opportunities described by ScienceInfo include:
*Tourette Syndrome Call for Research Proposals all aspects of Tourette syndrome. The Tourette Syndrome Association will award up to $40,000 for post-doctoral fellowships and $75,000 for
research grants. Deadline: October 1. TSA Resarch Call
*Canary Foundation and the American Cancer Society has a postdoctoral fellowship program focused on studies towards development of strategies for the early detection of cancer. Awards are for 3 yeare, with stipends starting at $40,000 per year. Deadline: October 15. For an application, click here
* Call for proposals on novel approaches to drug discovery for Alzheimer's Disease from the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation. Deadline: October 1. Grant applications
*Burroughs Wellcome Fund: Investigators in the Pathogenesis of Infectious Disease at the assistant professor level are encouraged to apply for five-year awards providing $500,000. Studies should focus on the intersection of human and microbial biology. Deadline: November 3. Burroughs Wellcome Fund Grants
The Northarvest Bean Growers Association has invited researchers from across the country
to apply for 10 incentive grants of $10,000 each for grant proposals on
dry beans and human health for eventual submission to NIH.
The Northarvest
Bean Growers Association is a cooperative effort between dry bean
growers in North
Dakota and Minnesota.
Applications on any aspect
of dry beans and human health will be accepted, including, but not
limited to: Cardiovascular disease, Obesity, Colon
cancer, GI health, Immune system, Diabetes.
Deadlines:
October 24, 2008: Applications due to DBHRP; November 26, 2008: Selected applications announced; February 5, 2009: Full proposals due to NIH
For an
application, send an e-mail inquiry to adamv at communiqueinc.com or call 1-888-772-8451. E-mail inquiries are preferred. Northarvest Bean Growers website
NSF Grant Opportunities:
Interested applicants can search for grant opportunities by discipline at www.nsf.gov/funding/.
NSF's Small Business Innovation Research Program is currently taking applications. The deadline for the application of this award is Dec. 4th. NSF Small Business Innovation
Virginia Tech is seeking applicants for the position of Director for Information Technology. This professional faculty position will play a critical role in setting the vision and implementing important information technology initiatives for College of Engineering. Many of these initiatives require coordination with university administrative units as well as with key corporations. Visit Virginia Tech's job website and search for posting # 080861.
Biomedical research positions are available at the National Institutes of Health
NIH scientific jobs. Search USAJobs for Senior Scientific positions.
Current postdoctoral openings
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Fellowships and Awards
The Director of the
National Institutes of Health (NIH) is seeking nominations to fill vacant
appointments to the 2009 Council of Public Representatives (COPR) roster.
Nominations are due September 26, 2008.
The COPR advises the NIH
Director on cross-cutting issues related to medical research and health issues
of public interest that ultimately promote individual, family, and community
health. Examples of broad issues explored by the Council include community
engagement in research, public trust in the research enterprise, enhancing
public awareness and education about NIH, clinical trials recruitment issues,
and aspects of the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research, such as reengineering the
clinical research enterprise.
Read on about the COPR
To request a nomination form by mail, contact the COPR Resource Staff by phone
at (301) 650-8660, ext. 269, by fax at (301) 650-7172, or by e-mail at COPR1 atpalladianpartners.com.
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Upcoming Workshops and Seminars
2008 AAAS
Leadership Seminar in Science and Technology Policy
November
17-21, 2008
Where: AAAS, 1200 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC
Register by: September 15
The AAAS Leadership Seminar in Science and Technology Policy is a "crash
course" in science and technology (S&T) policy, designed for those who
need to know how S&T policy works. Space is limited to only 30 to 35
participants--the small group setting provides an ideal opportunity to learn
about the challenges and solutions of S&T policy from the experts. For registration forms,
program information, and other information, go to the Leadership Seminar web page. |
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