Greetings!
The National Board of AWIS met in Washington DC from June 14-16, 2008. In addition to approving the 2008-2009 budget for the association, they amended student member benefits.
Effective October 2008, students will receive the AWIS Magazine in electronic format only. Members wishing to continue receiving the magazine in hard copy can join at the regular rate of $65 per year (way less than the cost of one TazoŽ Chai Frappuccino per week).
Best,
Janet
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Janet Bandows Koster
Executive Director |
| Education |
Professional science masters degrees gain ground
The professional science
masters degree (PSM) is spreading, gaining recognition as a tool to expand the
scientific workforce, as mentioned in the America Competes Act. There are
more than 120 PSM programs at 60 institutions and the Department of Education supports
improvements and creation of similar programs. A PSM degree qualifies the
recipient for careers in industry and non-profits which require more than a
bachelor's degree but less than a Ph.D. The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation funded
most existing programs and joined forces with the Council of Graduate
Schools to ensure their growth and success. Ryan Jones, who graduated from the University of Northern Iowa as their first chemistry PSM, said "I
decided that I did not want to pursue a Ph.D., but I did not want to be trapped
with just a bachelor's degree. I saw a PSM as a vehicle for advancing my
professional career, a vehicle to get into management more quickly than if I
had just graduated with a bachelor's degree."
Masters of Industry
Nerd-Girls, and proud of it
A group of female engineers
from Tufts University are challenging the notion of a stereotypical nerd. These
women, who built a solar car from the ground up, want the world to see that
taped-up glasses and flood pants are not the image that "nerd" should call to
mind. They embrace their nerdy pursuits and proudly have t-shirts sporting
their trademark name "Nerd Girls," but they don't want to cater to
the stereotypical dress and style of their self-imposed title. "For a long
time, there's been this stereotype that either you're ugly and smart or cute
and not suited for careers in math, science or engineering," says Annalee
Newitz, the co-editor of "She's Such a Geek!", a 2006 anthology of
women writing about math, tech, and science. "One of the big differences
between Generation X geeks and girls in their teens now is really just an
attitude-an indication that they're much more comfortable."
Revenge of the nerdettes
Creative pedagogy in
engineering
Professors at Smith College are changing the way engineering is taught to attract more females into
the field. Professor Glenn Ellis believes this will also require changing the
way K-12 students view engineering because they typically don't see how
engineering applies to their lives. The Picker Engineering Program at Smith College offers a broader engineering curriculum than most programs, in which
faculty members apply the latest research in engineering teaching methods and
relate engineering topics to women's concerns. "Women are more interested
in engineering when it is a topic they care about," Ellis said. "When
you present the humanity of engineering, they become more interested."
Engineering education
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Government
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Critical Upgrade at critical time
This political season words
like oil, alternative energy, global warming and climate change are buzzing
around the presidential candidates. Now more than ever before, it is important
for the president to have a strengthened Office of Science and Technology
Policy so these and other important scientific policy issues can be properly
addressed. The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars released a report June 17 - "Critical Upgrade: Enhanced Capacity for
White House Science and Technology Policymaking" - stressing the
need for an OSTP upgrade with the ability to define and implement the
President's programs. "The next president's ability to meet key challenges
facing the nation will depend upon a high-quality team in the White House to
evaluate and shape the government's approximately $142 billion (2008)
investments in Science and Technology as well as the broader S&T
underpinnings of complex national and international issues," said Lee H.
Hamilton, president and director of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for
Scholars.
White House Science Office Needs Critical Upgrade
Read the report
NASA programs to be directed toward women
On June 18, the House
passed H.R. 6063 which gives NASA programs $20.21 billion for 2009. During
discussions an amendment by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) was added requiring
NASA to direct its technology outreach program toward women- and minority-owned
small business. A scholarship in honor of Christa McAuliffe, who was killed in
the Challenger accident, was also added by Rep. Paul Hodes (D-NH). The
scholarship provides $10,000 each year for women pursuing degrees in
NASA-related fields.
House-Passed NASA Bill Encourages Women in the Sciences
H.R. 6063
NIH rollin' in the dough - but not yet
The Senate appropriations
subcommittee drafted a spending bill for education, health and labor programs
that could provide the National Institute of Health with $30.254 billion in
funding, up from $28.9 billion in 2008. Most student aid programs, though, will
receive no new funds. The increase in funding to NIH, according to subcommittee
chairman Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), would allow the U.S. to "keep up with the biomedical inflation
rate for the first time in the last six years." NIH should hold off on any
celebration, though - the bill still has to be approved by President Bush, who
said he would veto any measures that exceeded the spending limits laid out in
his budget plan.
NIH's Billion-Dollar Boost Gains Ground
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| International
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Dialogue about
nanotechnologies and continued protection
The European Commission has
opened discussion about nanotechnologies and continued protection of health and
the environment to citizens and stakeholders in order to increase awareness as
new nanomaterials become available. Nanotechnology refers to building systems
from the molecular level up. It is involved in a wide variety of disciplines
including energy, pharmaceuticals, computers and medical procedures.
Commission starts public dialogue on nanotechnologies
Read the press release
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| Science and Health
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Anxious about anxiety disorders
Not all anxiety is the same.
There are many different anxiety disorders, and women are twice as likely to
suffer from them as men. In addition, men and women are likely to handle them
differently. Men often mask their anxiety with substances such as alcohol.
"It's easier [for a man] to go into a bar and buy a drink than tell
someone how they're feeling," said Sally Winston, PsyD, who codirects the
Anxiety and Stress Disorders Institute of Maryland in Towson. "In our culture, drinking is still not as
socially acceptable for women." The Anxiety Disorders Association of
America found in its 2005 study that for women worrying, shyness and fear are
considered "normal" and therefore women are less likely to be correctly
diagnosed.
Women and anxiety disorders
To caffeinate or not to caffeinate
- that is the question
Coffee, that
favored morning pick-me-up, is full of antioxidants - and caffeine. Caffeine's
reported benefits include an aid to memory and prevention of Alzheimer's - but
it can cause insomnia, irregular heartbeat, muscle spasms, and interfere with
concentration. What to make of the scores of conflicting studies? Though the
mass of reports can be confusing, this article presents the pros, cons, levels
of caffeine in your favorite beverages, and ways to cut back or wean oneself
off that morning cup o' Joe.
Cutting Out Coffee: 14 Days to a Break the Habit
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| Careers |
Eight-year bias case settled, positive outcome
On June 26, the case of Graciela Chichilnisky vs. Columbia University was finally settled. Chichilnisky , a long-time AWIS member and renowned economist, re-initiated her legal battle back in 2000 after the university reneged elements of her 1995 settlement in which she was awarded $500,000 and back pay. In 2000, Columbia canceled and removed Chichilnisky from two million dollars worth of research, dismantled her offices and threw away her computers, losing or destroying her records, all without explanation. The university justified this by stating Chichilnisky's lyme disease would not allow her to do research. This gave Chichilnisky grounds for disability discrimination. With the case settled, Chichilnisky received a substantial amount of settlement money and kept her tenured appointment. She said, "I am ready and happy to move forward to the future." In 2006, Chichilnisky was designated one of the ten most influential Hispanics in the United States.
Read more details and background of the case
Women at research universities hired at 9 percent less
Numerous studies evidence a gender-gap in faculty salaries, even when other variables, beyond bias, are controlled. Many explanatory theories look at events over a lifetime but a recent study suggests that women faculty begin their careers at a salary disadvantage. The study, "Pay Inequities for Recently Hired Faculty, 1988-2004," found men and women hired into four-year colleges started at comparable salaries. The exception to this trend: research universities, where women start out earning an unexplainable 9 percent less than men. For all full-time faculty as opposed to those just starting their careers, there is a 5 percent gap in favor of men. For both the early career and full faculty groups, controls were used to reflect disciplines, years since bachelor's degree, research productivity and a range of other factors, with the goal of focusing on "unexplained" wage gaps. The study also found some evidence of a salary gap in favor of new black and Latino professors. An unanswered question is where black and Latina women fall in this study.
Redefining where the salary gap lingers
Citation stats: not all they're cracked up to be
The International Mathematical Union, the Institute of Mathematics and Statistics and the International Council for Industrial and Applied Mathematics have endorsed a report, "Citation Statistics," which questions the use of citation-based statistics in assessing the quality of scientific research. The report states these statistics are often inaccurately used, misunderstood and over-simplifying. The report acknowledges the sensibilities of citation statistics but also highlights its misuses.
Read the press release
Read the report
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| Chapter News and Events
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Connecticut AWIS
Event: Networking social
When: July 23 6:00 PM
Cost: $20, will cover appetizers, entree, soft drinks - cash bar available
Where: Haveli Indian Restaurant
1300 South Main St
Middletown, CT
For more information and to RSVP
East Bay AWIS
Event: July chapter meeting presents with topic "Work and Family: Achieving Balance"
When: July 24, 2008 6:30-8:30 PM
Cost: $5 (members), $10 (non-members)
Where: Novartis
(Building 4, Room 104)
Other: a light dinner will be provided
For more information and to RSVP
San Francisco AWIS
EVENT: Networking Social
WHEN: July 9, 2008 6:30 - 8:00 PM
COST: Free
WHERE: The Pub at UCSF, Mission Bay
1675 Owens St San Francisco
For more information
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| Opportunities |
Maria Goeppert Mayer Award for Young Physicist
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: July 1, 2008
Official Award Page
For more information contact the Chair of the 2009 Selection Committee:
Sherry Yennello
Texas A&M University
Cyclotron Institute
College Station, TX 77843
Phone (979) 845-1411
Fax (979) 845-1899
E-mail: yennello@comp.tamu.edu
Five (5) copies of the nomination should be sent to the above address
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.
This year the conference takes place August 5-8, 2008 in Madison, Wisconsin. Register by July 16, 2008 and save on conference fees.
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 22, 2008
BIO, CISE, and EHR
Full Proposal Deadline Date: July 23, 2008
ENG
Full Proposal Deadline Date: July 24, 2008
GEO, MPS, SBE, and OPP
For more information
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, September 30 - October 1, 2008.
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 1), while National Program Leaders from CSREES will conduct the September 30 program.
Deadline August 1, 2008
For more information
Norwood Award for Outstanding Achievement by a Woman in Statistical Science
Sponsored by the Department of Biostatistics in the School of Public Health at the University of Alabama- Birmingham, nominations are now open for the seventh 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 August 30, 2008
Award Announcement September 4, 2008
Official Award Page
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, AL 35294-0022
Phone: (205) 975-9169
Fax: (205) 975-2541
Email: dallison@uab.edu
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.
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.
Facilities of all branches of Harvard University are open, without charge, to Junior Fellows.
Nominations for Junior Fellowships are customarily made by the individual's faculty mentor. Junior Fellowships begin July 1, 2009.
Deadline: September 5, 2008
For more information
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
Elsevier Foundation New Scholars Program
The 2008 Elsevier Foundation New Scholars Program will give priority to the efforts of the academic and research community to address the fundamental challenge of balancing childcare and family responsibilities with the demanding academic careers in science, health, and technology. The program is focused on doctoral candidates and scholars in the first five years of their post-doctoral careers.
The Foundation provides one, two and three year grants to non-profit academic and research institutions, learned societies, professional associations, and governmental and non-governmental organizations.
Proposals are welcome for single-year grants in amounts between US $5,000 to US $50,000. Proposals will be accepted for multi-year programs (up to three years) for grant amounts of US $5,000 to US $50,000 per year. Grants are awarded for specific projects rather than operating support.
Deadline: September 15, 2008.
Announcement: December 2008
For more information
Proposals should be sent to:
The Elsevier Foundation
360 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10010-1710, USA
telephone: 212-229-4970
facsimile: 212-633-3965
e-mail: foundation@elsevier.com
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 20, 2008. 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 and direct 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 click here.
The National Medal of Science
Help celebrate the contributions of your colleagues by submitting a nomination for The National Medal of Science.
The National Medal of Science was established in 1959 as a Presidential
Award to be given to individuals "deserving of special recognition by
reason of their outstanding contributions to knowledge in the physical,
biological, mathematical, or engineering sciences." In 1980 Congress
expanded this recognition to include the social and behavioral
sciences. The National Medal of Science is the highest honor the
President bestows on scientists. A Committee of 12 scientists and
engineers is appointed by the President to evaluate the nominees for
the Award. Since its establishment, the National Medal of Science has
been awarded to 441 distinguished scientists and engineers whose
careers spanned decades of research and development.
Deadline: December. 5, 2008
For more information
To nominate someone | |
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Last Day!
Recruit-a-Member
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Today, June 30, is the last day to recruit a new member and become eligible to win prizes. Each new member you get to join your name will be entered into a drawing where you could potentially win a $300 travel stipend to the professional society of your choice and be honored in the AWIS Magazine.
Click here for more information, prizes and to sign someone up!
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A Network, A Resource, A Voice
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The Washington Wire is one of the many benefits of an AWIS membership. Our goal in this bi-monthly e-digest is to provide you with a snapshop of news you can use.
While our newest feature, the Chapter Member Spotlight, is our way of highlighting national issues important to you, we thought it would be nice to introduce you to our AWIS National Office interns. But if you've got a hot topic, let us know and the next spotlight could be on you. |
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AWIS Intern Spotlight
Oju Ajagbe
Washington, DC
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Oju Ajagbe
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AWIS in Action
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AWIS supports H.R. 6314: Promoting women in academic science and engineering
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AWIS, in conjunction with the American Chemical Society and the Society for Women Engineers, addressed a letter to Rep. Bart Gordon, chairman of the House Committee on Science and Technology, expressing their support and the need for H.R. 6314. Fulfilling the Potential of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Act of 2008 would create and implement educational workshops that will "enhance gender equity in academic science and engineering" disciplines as well as "scientific and professional societies."
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| Featured Jobs |
Assistant Director, BioMicro Center
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Boston, Massachusetts
Read more
Staff Scientist Position
Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology,
Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute
Bethesda, Maryland
Read more
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