Bush Administration Raises Pell Grant to $4,700

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), the College Work Study Program, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's) were among the  institutions who benefited from the 2008 spending bill. Although NIH received a 2.6% increase in funding, allowing the agency to add 545 new research grants, the big catch was the $390 (per award) Pell Grant increase, adding $2 billion dollars to the program's overall cost.

More on the Big Ticket Item

Gambia Faces Scientist Shortage Head-On

With large donations from the Taiwanese government and other international allies, the small country of Gambia on the West Coast of Africa has charged full speed ahead to remedy the country's deficit of scientific personnel.  The solution: the country's first science academy. Like many secondary schools in the U.S. and abroad, the academy will prepare Gambian students for science and mathematics classes at the university level. This is a large step towards global competition for the tiny, economically depressed country.

More on Gambian Science Academy...

 

Calling all Women in Statistical Sciences

Sponsored by the Department of  Biostatistics in the School of Public Health at the University of Alabama- Birmingham, nominations are now open for the sixth annual Janet  L. Norwood Award for Outstanding Achievement by a Woman in Statistical Science. Each year, the recipient of the award is given the opportunity to deliver a lecture at UAB as well as receive a plaque and a $5,000 prize.

Candidates must have completed their terminal degree and have made significant contributions to the field of statistical sciences.

In order to nominate a candidate, send a full curriculum vita as well as a letter no longer than two pages in length describing the candidates contributions to the field. Self nominations are welcome.

Deadline for Nominations July 9, 2007
Winner Announced July 13, 2007

For more information contact:
David B. Allison, Ph.D.
Professor & Head Section on Statistical Genetics
Department of Biostatistics, RPHB 327
University of Alabama at Birmingham
1665 University Boulevard
Birmingham, Alabama 35294-0022
Phone: (205) 975-9169
Fax: (205) 975-2541
Email: dallison@uab.edu
Official Award Page

Deadline Approaching for Maria Goeppert Mayer Award

The Maria Goeppert Mayer Award seeks to "recognize and enhance outstanding achievement by a woman physicist in the early years of her career, and to provide opportunities for her to present these achievements to others through public lectures in the spirit of Maria Goeppert Mayer."

This annual award consists of a $2,500 prize as well as a $4,000 travel allowance to provide opportunities for the recipient to give lectures in her field of physics at four institutions and at the meeting of the Society at which the award is bestowed and a certificate citing the contributions made by the recipient.

Deadline for Nominations: July 1, 2007

For more information contact the Chair of the 2008 selection committee:
Marc Sher
College of William & Mary
Department of Physics
Williamsburg, VA 23187
Phone (757) 221-3538
E-mail: mtsher@wm.edu
Official Award Page

Five (5) copies of the nomination should be sent to the above address

Write Winning Agricultural Grants

The Northeast Regional Association of State Agricultural Experiment Station Directors (NERA) and the Southern Association of Agricultural Experiment Station Directors (SAAESD), in conjunction with USDA-CSREES will host a 2-day Competitive Grants Workshop to focus on the USDA-NRI Competitive grants process, October 9-10, 2007.

The first day of the workshop will focus on opportunities in the USDA Competitive Grants program, while the second day will focus writing winning grants. Drs. Michael Harrington and Thomas Fretz will conduct the Writing Winning Grants workshop (October 10), while National Program Leaders from CSREES will conduct the October 9 program.

More on Ag Grants...

Louise Hanson Marshall Award     
 
In Honor of Louise Hanson Marshall, a woman who made outstanding contributions to the field of neuroscience, the L.H. Marshall Special Recognition Award is for an individual working outside the field of neuroscience who has significantly promoted the professional advancement of women in neuroscience.

Eligible candidates will be evaluated by following criteria:

    * Sustained exceptional achievements in neuroscience as evidenced by publications, inventions, and/or awards;
    * Served the profession through WIN, SfN, and/or related organizations;
    * Attained recognition at national or international levels as a scientist, educator, businessperson, or administrator in neuroscience;
    * Demonstrated a high degree of imagination, innovation, and initiative in the pursuit of neuroscience; and
    * Showed an unusual dedication to facilitating the mentoring and entry of young women into neuroscience or to the advancement of women in neuroscience

Nominations must include an NIH BioSketch style CV and a Two (2) -page (maximum) summary of mentoring, leadership, and service.

Applications are due no later than Friday, June 29, 2007 and can be mail to the following address:
Jessica Pearce
Special Programs Coordinator
Society for Neuroscience
1121 14th St., NW
Suite 1010
Washington, DC 20005
phone: (202) 962-4000
fax: (202) 962-4941

For more Information on the L.H. Marshall Award...



Second International Symposium on Human Health Effects of Fruit and Vegetables to be hosted at Texas A&M

The objective of the 2nd International Symposium on Human Health Effects of Fruit and Vegetables" is to exchange information and bridge the communication gap between the agricultural sciences, nutrition and health sciences.

Sponsored by the 2nd International Society for Horticultural Sciences (ISHS), and Texas A&M University's Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center (VFIC), and Center for Obesity Research and Program Evaluation (CORPE), the symposium is intend to provide a forum for horticultural scientists, nutritionists, food scientists, biomedical scientists, chemists, biochemists, clinicians, medical professionals, social economists.

Visit This Site for More Information...


Annual Conference on Distance Teaching and Learning

The Annual Conference on Distance Teaching and Learning is recognized internationally for the quality and integrity of its program. Each year the conference provides a forum for the exchange of information on distance education and training. The conference addresses the needs of educators, trainers, managers and designers from throughout the world who are involved in the application of technology to the teaching and learning process and in the planning, administration, and management of distance education programs.

The conference will offer more than 150 presentations including keynotes, forums, concurrent sessions, pre-conference workshops, course design showcases, and roundtable discussions.

For More Information on this Conference...


Science and Technology: Informing U.S. Policy and Inspiring Future Generations

Co-sponsored by Women in International Security (WIIS) and the Committee on Women in Science and Engineering (CWSE), this event is part of the WIIS Science, Technology, and Security Initiative, a multi-year project funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation to address the disconnect between the scientific, technological, and national security policymaking communities.  On March 26, WIIS hosted an expert consultation on Science, Technology and U.S. National Security: Engaging the Next Generation.  The consultation considered the challenges facing young scientists and engineers interested in national security careers and identified opportunities for shared progress.  The final report from the consultation, with findings and recommendations, will be launched at an event on June 21st, which includes a keynote address by Dr. Tara O'Toole plus a networking reception.  Refreshments will be provided.

When: Thursday, June 21, 2007
Time: Keynote Address + Q&A: 5:00pm-6:00pm
         Networking Reception: 6:00pm-8:00pm
Location: National Academy of Science's Lecture Room and Great Hall, 2101 Constitution Ave, NW, Washington DC. 20418

Speakers: Dr. Tara O'Toole: CEO and Director of the Center for Biosecurity at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), and professor of medicine and of Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh.

To RSVP, Please Visit...


Harvard University Junior Fellowships

The Harvard University Junior Fellowships is an annual program to give men and women at an early stage of their scholarly careers an opportunity to pursue their studies in any department of the University, free from formal requirements, by providing 3-year fellowships to scholars of exceptional ability, originality, and resourcefulness.

Candidates must be at an early stage of their careers.  Most fellows either have received the Ph.D. recently or are candidates for the Ph.D. and well along in the preparation of their dissertations.

Annual stipend for the year beginning July 1, 2007 is $57,000, renewable for two additional years. Facilities of all branches of Harvard University are open, without charge, to Junior Fellows.

Nominations for Junior Fellowships are customarily made by the individal's faculy mentor.

Further information is available by telephoning 617-495-2485

Completed Application Materials can be submitted to:
The Society of Fellows
Harvard University
78 Mount Auburn Street
Cambridge, MA 02138

For More Information


Early Career Development Award    

The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program is a Foundation-wide activity that offers the National Science Foundation's most prestigious awards in support of the early career-development activities of those teacher-scholars who most effectively integrate research and education within the context of the mission of their organization. Such activities should build a firm foundation for a lifetime of integrated contributions to research and education. NSF encourages submission of CAREER proposals from junior faculty members at all CAREER-eligible organizations and especially encourages women, members of underrepresented minority groups, and persons with disabilities to apply.

Deadlines for Submission of Proposals Vary by Discipline:

Full Proposal Deadline Date:  July 17, 2007
      BIO, CISE, and EHR
Full Proposal Deadline Date:  July 18, 2007
      ENG
Full Proposal Deadline Date:  July 19, 2007
      GEO, MPS, SBE, and OPP

For more Information


Designated Outcomes Award in Geriatric Gastroenterology    
 
The objective of the "Designated Outcomes Award" is to promote research by young investigators in the area of outcomes as it relates to geriatric gastroenterology.

Eligible Applicants must possess an MD, PhD or equivalent and must hold faculty positions at accredited North American academic institutions by the time of the start date of the award (July 1). * The award is intended for junior faculty; therefore, established investigators are not eligible. For MD applicants, no more than five years should elapse following the completion of your clinical training (GI fellowship or equivalent) and the start date of this award (July 1).

A letter of recommendation should be provided by the Division Chief or Department Chair and should outline support of the candidate and his/her research program. The investigator must submit a progress report and a financial report to the Foundation upon completion of project.

To download the award application and for more information about this and other AGA Foundation awards, please Click here.  The application deadline date for this award is September 5. If the deadline occurs on a weekend or holiday, the application packet must be received by midnight the following business day.

Please email the application packet to awards@fdhn.org.
Please direct questions about this award or the application submission process to the Research Awards Manager at 301-222-4012 or via email at awards@fdhn.org.


Funderburg Research Scholar Award in Gastric Biology Related to Cancer  

The Funderburg Research Scholar Award is awarded to an established investigator working on novel approaches in gastric cancer, including the fields of gastric mucosal regeneration and regulation of cell growth as precancerous lesions; genetics of gastric oncogenes in gastric epithelial malignancies; epidemiology of gastric cancer; etiology of malignancies; or clinical research in the diagnosis or treatment of gastric carcinoma.

The Scholar Award intends to support an active, established investigator in the field of gastric biology who enhances the fundamental understanding of gastric cancer pathobiology in order to ultimately develop a cure for the disease.

Applicants must hold faculty positions at accredited North American institutions and must have established themselves as independent investigators in the field of gastric biology. Women and minority investigators are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants must be Members of the AGA (visit www.gastro.org for membership information).

The deadline for receipt of applications without exception is September 5, 2007. An electronic copy of the application must be submitted by the deadline to awards@fdhn.org.

If the deadline falls on a weekend, applications must be received by midnight the following Monday. Letters of recommendation may be e-mailed by the signatories to awards@fdhn.org or mailed to the following address, postmarked by the deadline:
Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition
4930 Del Ray Avenue
Bethesda, MD
 20814

Please email the application packet to awards@fdhn.org anddirect questions about this award or the application submission process to the Research Awards Manager, by telephone at 301-222-4012 or email at awards@fdhn.org. For information about other AGA Foundation awards, please visit the web site.


UNESCO-L'ORÉAL International Fellowships for Young Women in Life Sciences     

Since 2000, as part of the L'ORÉAL-UNESCO For Women in Science partnership, 15 international UNESCO-L'ORÉAL International Fellowships are awarded to young women researchers in the Life Sciences, at the doctoral or post-doctoral level, whose promising projects have been accepted by a reputable institution outside their home country. Starting with 2006 Fellows, the length of the Fellowships was doubled. Each is now worth a maximum of $40,000 and may cover a period of up to two years. The Fellowships give a boost to promising research in the Life Sciences, helping the beneficiaries, who have already distinguished themselves by their talent and commitment, to pursue promising research at what may be a critical point in their scientific careers. The UNESCO-L'ORÉAL Fellowship Selection Committee makes the final choice of three Fellowship beneficiaries from each of these five UNESCO regions: Africa, Arab States, Asia/Pacific, Latin America/Caribbean, and North America/Europe.

For more Information, Please Visit Award Site...

The daughter of Indian college professors, Aperna Mital left her home country of India to continue her education as a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institutes of Health in 1999. Little did she know it would only be a few years later that her NIH fellowship would end and the networking would begin.

"I networked for a whole year before I was hired," reported Mital in an AWIS interview. "I met my employer at an AWIS function at one of the member's homes during a social gathering. At the time, I was part of the Events Committee for the San Diego Chapter." The rest is history according to Mital. Currently, Aperna works as a consultant for Contract Research Organization (CRO).

Although both of Aperna Mital's parents were college professors in India, her desire to serve the economically depressed is a reflection of her Indian roots. "I am from a third-world country, so I know there is always a difference in care [between third world countries and first world]," claimed Mital.

Her loyalty to India is greatly reflected in her field of work, specifically clinical trials. As an NIH intern, she examined the policy and ethics of clinical trials, ensuring that financial gain does not come between the quality of care based on the economic status of the country.
Like many scientists, Aperna is passionate about controversial scientific issues - particularly stem cell research. Her discord is not concerning the research itself, but whether stems cells are going to be accessible to the general public. "Are stem cells only for the elite? Or, are ordinary people going to be able to afford the benefits of stem cells?" asked Mital.


Outside of the scientific arena, Mital's second passion is photography. "I will find any reason to take my camera outside," she beamed. After taking a couple photography classes, Mital began to teach herself the art of photography which has truly become her second love.

Aperna's advice for scientists who are coming out of postdoctoral fellowships and graduate programs is a simple refection of her own experience.  "Network, network, network!" Mital advised. "Sometimes when you end a fellowship you just stop and say, 'what now?'." Mital recommends that postdocs and graduate students network heavily while in study as well as afterwards. That will eventually lead one in the right direction.  

Become a Member Now!

Chapter Events

National News

Newsletter Archive